Mama Caroline Nwaeshena Chukwuka was born in 1925, into the family of Ojukwu-Ezeonu of Umuebube kindred in Umuagu Ngo-Nnobi in Idemili South Local Government Area.
Madam Caroline was the fourth child and the third daughter of her mother, having to live among other seventeen children born from the three wives to their father, Ojukwu Ezeonu, and life was not easy as everyone had to struggle for surviv
Caroline left home to serve as house help to late Mr. and Mrs. Michael Okpala of Igwuedo in Umuagu also in Nnobi. Her stay with these couple gave a special touch as they were enlightened and educated while working with the Portuguese and that influenced her life positivel
Madam Caroline had a little education but standard enough to give her opportunity to teach Adult Education class. Her education was diversified as she fit in easily into circumstanc
She later came back to stay with her mother while the other elder sisters had married. She was so committed to taking care of her mother such that she did not accept proposals for marriage on time. Her friends gave her a nick-name “Ite -ofe-nne-ekwem-ana be di” meaning “Mama’s soup would not allow me to go to my husband’s house.” However, it was a divine arrangement for her to get into the hands of her divinely kept husban
Mama Caroline got married to the late Retired Catechist, Julius O. Chukwuka of Umunneli kindred in Umagu, Nnobi who had earlier lost his first wife. God blessed them with two daughters, Chukwumalume Malinda and Chinyere Huldah and at a later age added a son, Ifechukwu David to them. When her husband died in 1978, she was left with the onerous responsibility of training her children and keeping a united home with the children of her husband’s first wife
Mama, was very industrious and hardworking as she delved into Kolanut business, melon – Ogili-Egwusi, salt, corn and others. She bought in bags, preserve and then sell when it was out of season. She processed palm oil in season and sold when out of season. She was a popular farmer which earned the moniker- Minister of Agriculture. She nursed seedlings for food crops like tomatoes, Garden egg (Mkpulu ofe or mkpuru Anara), and pepper which was called “Oseoyibo be Nne Mali”
Afor Nnobi was her main market. Customers would line up in front of her shed to wait for her stocks from her farm. The hand works of Mama’s hands were blesse
Mama Caro was a Christian from the cradle. She sang in the then Saint Simon’s Church Choir with her bosom friend, Mama Adline Nwokolo (Nee Nwajiudo) Bishop’s Owen’s mother. She was a member of Mothers’ Union and Women’s Guild; attended daily morning prayers and was in regular church attendance. She was so prayerful as she led the children in morning and night prayers with Ekpere na Abụ. She was also a member of Evangelical Fellowship of the Anglican Communion, EFAC before Arthritis set in
As Mama Caroline advanced in age, she became fragile and weak but her disposition with people found her help from a lot of people both young and old who would come around to help, chat and cheer her up. Mention must be made of Ernest Nwakamma, the last person that lived with Mama. The boy took Mama as his own mother and Mama took him as her own son and fondly called him Ernn
God granted Mama the privilege of being the oldest woman in her kindred. She was also the last of the seventeen children of Ojukwu-Ezeonu to depart this world, marking the end of a generatio
Mama Caroline died at the age of ninety-seven on October twenty-eight, 2022, after showing signs of weakness and no appetite for food and breathed her last before the watching eyes of her second daughter, Chinyere and her brother’s wife, Cordeli
She is survived by Chukwumalume Malinda, Chinyere Hulda Ezeofor, (daughters) Ifechukwu David Chukwuka (son), Mr Hyginus Nnedum and Right Reverend Samuel Chukwudi Ezeofor, Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese (son’s in–law) and many other relation
The burial ceremony will begin with service of songs today, Tuesday December 13, 2022 by 4pm at her husband’s compound while Tomorrow, Wednesday by 7am, her body will lie in state at her husband’s compound. Followed by Burial service at Saint Simon’s Anglican Church, Nnobi by 10 am before interment at her husband’s plac
Sunday December 18, 2022 will be outing service at Saint Simon’s Anglican Church, Nnobi.
Adieu, Madam Caroline, Rest in peace Chibuzor
Written by MRS CHINYERE EZEOFOR
! e.s.a.n.y.. d.. . d.e.y.al.
! e.s.a.n.y.. d.. . d.e.y.al.MRS CHINYERE EZEOFOR
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