The Late Lady Justina Akuamia Onwukeme (Nee Anarado) was born in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria in October,1945. As a young girl, she was sent to live with her grandmother at Adazi-Nnukwu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. She attended Loretto Primary School, Adazi-Nnukwu where she got her First School Leaving Certificate and proceeded to Mercy High School, Mbosi. She was in her final year in the school when the Nigeria-civil war broke out. At the end of the war, she was unable to return to school.
She got employed by the then East Central State Civil Service Commission and she was posted to the Ministry of Education, Enugu from where she was deployed to Aba. Early in the course of her work, she met one Lady May Akaenyi, who encouraged her to register for the West African School Certificate Examination at Immaculate Heart’s Girls’ Secondary School, Aba. She did, and passed the examination with a very comfortable grade.
The young Justina got admission into Holy Rosary Teachers Training College, Enugu where she obtained her Teacher’s Grade Two Certificate and later got admission into Federal Advanced Teachers’ College, Katsina for her National Certificate in Education (NCE) Programme majoring in English and Religion.
After her National Youth Service Corps programme, she taught English and Religion for more than five years at Boys’ Secondary School, Emene, Enugu and later gained admission to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Education at the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
On her return to the Ministry of Education after her graduation from Nsukka, she was posted to the Inspectorate Division as an Inspector of Schools. During her stay in the Ministry, she facilitated the approval for the final year pupils of Sancta Maria Primary School, Adazi-Nnukwu to take the First School Leaving Certificate Examination in the school instead of going to another school for the examination.
Lady Justina was, at different times, Area Inspector of Education in charge of Njikoka and Dunukofia Local Government Areas. She retired as Area Inspector of Schools in Anaocha Local Government Area in 2006 after working in the local government for many years.
Justina was a Legionary and a devout Purgatorian. She was also an ardent Precious Blood Society member whose passion for and devotion to the Precious Blood made her a regular attendee of Oloh, Enugu State – centre for Precious Blood devotees. She had long dedicated her family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Unfortunately, on that fateful Wednesday afternoon, Joy, as she was fondly called by her husband, was happily trekking home after rendering her annual Presidium Report at St. Andrew’s Parish, Adazi-Nnukwu when a reckless motorcyclist on high speed hit and pushed her into a nearby gutter. She was rushed to St. Benedict’s Hospital, Adazi-Nnukwu by a good Samaritan who purchased the card for her admission in the hospital.
She stayed in the hospital for a week and demanded to be discharged. She was discharged with attendant drugs and asked to return for check-up in two weeks. A few days later, on 6th of March, 2023, she was rushed to hospital at about 11.00pm after the pains became too excruciating affecting her speech, where the doctor confirmed her dead.
She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and numerous brothers and sisters.
A vigil mass for her will hold today Friday, 14th April, 2023 by 5.00pm after the prayers by the Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Awka Sub-Council. Tomorrow, Saturday, 15th April, 2023, her body will leave St. Joseph’s Hospital Mortuary, Adazi-Nnukwu, for a brief stop-over at her father’s compound in Umunebo, Enugo, Amata, Adazi-Nnukwu. Thereafter, she will be carried to her home for Lying-in-state and for Office for the Dead by the Knights and Ladies of
Saint Mulumba, Nigeria, Awka Sub-Council. Requiem Mass will follow at St. Andrew’s Parish, Adazi-Nnukwu by 10.00am. Interment follows in her home. Condolence visits by friends, relations, in-laws and well-wishers continue after. Outing Mass will take place on Sunday, 16th April, 2023, at St. Andrew’s Parish Adazi-Nnukwu, by 9.00am.
Joy, may the Almighty God with the help of Our Blessed Virgin Mary, keep you in paradise where you will remain and pray for us till we meet to part no more, Amen.
Written by ICHIE FRANCIS ONWUKEME (KSM)
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