The burial ceremony of late Lady Aladura Chinma Theresa Amaefula was a Celebration of a life well lived of a caring sweet mother whose love and kindness touched every root of her community in Okpuala village of Iho-Dimeze town in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
Friday 21st of June, 2024 was a day many friends and well-wishers of Emeka Amaefula, City People Magazine’s Port Harcourt Bureau Chief gathered from far and near to celebrate with him on the final internment of his beloved mother. The semi-urban community was agog, as members of the Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Mount of Peace Iho-Dimeze procceded to the Amazing Grace Funeral Home Mortuary opposite American-Cancer Hospital Iho-Dimeze Ikeduru to join the Pallbearers who conveyed the remains of late Lady Aladura Chinma Theresa Amaefula to her husband’s home in Umuezealaku kindred of Okpuala Village Iho-Dimeze town.
The angelic voices of the Cherubim and Seraphim Live Band with sonorous tunes and trumpets all combined to send messages of faith, love and accomplishments of an inspiring Mother whose affection and devotion to her family was second to none while she was alive.
Many of those who assembled at the family compound to witness the final journey of Lady Theresa Amaefula were truly admonished with the preaching centered on Faith and Consecration by Senior Apostle E. Udeh who later handed over the funeral proceeding to his second in command.
Many sympathisers in their tributes wrote glowingly about Lady Aladura Chinma Theresa Amaefula. Dr. Chris Azode and his wife Ngozi wrote: “The Board and the Management of NGC Integrated Healthcare, Inc (USA), mourn with the family of Mr. Emeka Amaefula over the death of his mom, Madam Theresa Chinma Amarfula on March 26th, 2024. Madam Theresa was a loving, caring and inspiring mother to all. She will be greatly missed. May her Gentle Soul Rest in Peace. Amen.”
The Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of City People magazine in Lagos, Otunba Dr. Seye Kehinde, in his own tribute wrote “On behalf of the Management and Staff of City People Magazine, I write to commiserate with our Port Harcourt Bureau Chief, Emeka Amaefula on the passing to Greater Glory of his mum, Madam Chinma Theresa Amaefula at the age of 90. Be consoled in the fact that Mama, who was very dear to you and your family members lived a good and fruitful life.”
“May the Good Lord give you the fortitude to bear the loss. May her gentle soul rest in peace. Adieu Mama”
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer CEO of De Chic Beauty Home Ltd Ms Angel Okoyeocha also wrote: “From us at De Chic Beauty Home Ltd, we comiserate with the entire family for the death of Mama who passed away at the age of 90 years. At the moment we celebrate the worthy life of Mama Chinma Theresa Amaefula. Mama was most cherished for her entrpreneurial skills especially as a Fashion Designer of repute. This is a profession she was engaged in with much happiness as she freely helped those in her community and those outside.
We truly miss you Mama as we pray to God Almighty to grant you eternal rest in Hus bosom.”
The Nigerian Union of Juornalists Rivers State Council through its Secretary Ike Wigodo wrote “The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Rivers Stata Council wishes to express her heartfelt condolences over the demise of your beloved mother, Madam Chinma Theresa Amaefula who died at the riped age of 90 years. The union learnt that your mother was active in all community activities. Words are never enough to console one who lost his mother but our prayers and thoughts are with you and the entire family of Amaefula. The Union is deeply touvhed over her death and feels the pains you are going through. NUJ urges you, your immediate family and other of your sibblings to take solace in the good life she lived.
Please accept the condolences of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Rivers State Council.”
The Chief Mourner Emeka Amaefula the first son of Mama Chinma Theresa Amaefula wrote “I have cherished every moment you stayed with me on earth, each moment filled with your words of encouragement and inspiration to make me who I am today.”
“You never gave in to fear of any kind, you have done your best in the ways and means you assisted people around you to live a better life. Mama, I have no doubt that you will be with the saints and Angels as you smiled a lot and looked at every distressed situation with contentment and resolute determination to resolve such situations with patience and resilence. Thank you Mama for your love and care for the family you so much cherished. Even at your last moment on earth you still prayed for your children and extended family members.”
The grandchildren of Mama were not left out in their quest in reflecting the memories of their grandmother as Chukwuemeka Joshua Amaefula jr a Computer Science undergraduate . wrote “Grandma, your compassionate heart and selfless love had a profound impact on my life. Your caring attention and guidance helped shape me into the person I am today. Your support and kindness taught me the value of empathy, understanding, and generosity. Your ability to listen and offer wisdom inspired me to be a better person to be present for others, and to make a positive difference in the world. Though you may be gone, but your legacy lives on through me, and I will continue to strive to make you proud. Thank you for being my rock, my mentor, and my beloved grandmother. Your love and influence will firever be cherished and remebered.”
Chikaodi Amaefula, Mama’s second born son wrote “Tribute to my beloved Mother, Lady Aladura-Oh death, how terrible are thy ways, you have left a footprint in the sand of history of my life, death has created an irreparable loss and unfillable vaccum. Tears flow down my cheeks for I have lost a colossal figure, an inavaluable and caring mother. She was a light and vibrant leader. In all things our utmost hope is in Christ Jesus who is our consolation and our eternal life. Farewell Mama, Rest In Peace-Adieu.”
More of the tributes for Mama came from her second grandson Master Fortune Eberechi Amaefula Undergraduate Petroleum and gas Engineering as he wrote “ Today, we honour the life of my grandmother, a woman of grace, kindness, and wisdom. Her home was always a sanctuary of warmth, filled with love, delicious cooking, and joyful laughter. She taught us the importance of compassion and generosity, inspiring us with her unweavering faith and resilience. GrandMa’s stories were filled with life lessons, teaching us to cherish each moment and strive for our best. Her hugs were the warmest, her advice the wisest, and her love unconditioanl. She was our family’s rock, grounding us through life’s ups and downs.
As we say goodbye, we celebrate her extra ordinary life, her infectious smile, and the love she shared. Her legacy lives on in the memories we will cherish forever. Rest in Peace, Grandma. You will always be in our hearts. Thank you fir everything.
Mama’s first grand daughter Miss Ezinne Ruth Amaefula a graduate of Theater Arts and Film studies in her tribute wrote “A loving mother, a guiding light, a heart of gold-my grandma was a true gem. Your warmth and kindness touched every life you met, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. Your strength and resilience inspired us all, and your unwavering support and guidance helped shape us into the people we are today. Though you may be gone, your spirit lives on in our hearts and your memory will continue to inspire us to live with compassion, empathy, and love. Rest In peace, dear grandma.”
Master Obinna Princewill Mama’s last born grandson in his touching tribute wrote “Oh grandma, how I’ve always missed you from my heart as I never got the opportunity to spend more time with you. On hearing of your demise, I felt weak within me and my heart was heavy from such sad news. I express my heartfelt gratitude for you through this means. You’ll always be in my heart and with me, may your gentle soul rest in peace. I pray you find solace wherever you’re and get to meet grandpa.” And Mama’s grnadson from her only daughter Promise Chukwuemeka Nwoke noted “ Nma Theresa, I can beat my chest that you have lived a well please life unto God and man. You’re such a rare gem and you have impacted in me morally to live up to expectation. I cherished every moment with you and remebered how I used to ask you to turn on the fan for me whenever I want to sleep. I will never forget the love and care you have shown us. Mama, may the Lord accept your soul in His loving paradise as you continue to rest in perfect peace.”
Mama’s only daughter Mrs. Chinyere Mabel Nwoke nee Amaefula remembered her Mama thus “ Nne mu’ oma-With herat of grieve I write to say adieu to you my ever loving mother. It’s a whole lot of heratbreaking that I will no longer see you again, Nne mu oma mara nma. You’re a true mother that never eat alone nor despise. You have given me reasons to believe that you’re the best and I will forever love and cherish you. I pray God to grant you and your soul eternal rest of peace. Adieu Nne di nma mu, ga ije nke oma.”
Like a bullet of encomium Lady Barrister (Mrs.) Rosebells Uviovo PhD wrote a tribute to a Great matriarch “ A mighty iroko has just fallen! Now this is the real exit of an icon ! Madam Chinma Theresa Amaefula is of rare breed !!! Loving, inspiring, kind yet firm. A disciplinarian with a big heart. She was rare gem. She was elegant, she was smart, she was focused on our turning out right. What a mother? What a mentor? She will be sorely missed. Take your rest in the arms of your Lord great woman. Your legacy lives on in the lives you have participated in moulding beautifully. May God comfort all that mourn her. Adieu Madam Chinma Theresa Amaefula !!!.
Lady Veronica Anyagwa, a close neighbour to Mama
Who cared for Mama during her sick days wrote “Tribute to Mama Chinma Amaefula –I console with you for the death of your beloved mother. Mama was really a hard working woman and a woman of faith. May her soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
Mr Joseph Anyanwu, in his tribute wrote “Her generous and dogged life style were cherished by all who knew her very well. And for the fact that your mom lived a moderate and Christ like which is of great value in the eyes of God, I want you to be consoled and bear the great loss with fortitude.”
Barrister Vitalismary Unachukwu wrote “It’s often said that women of substance are hard to come by, given the inevitable challenges womanhood and motherhood, but those who often distinguish themselves in domestic, private and public life are appreciated and awesomely and generously rewarded with their accomplishments embroidered on the marble as milestone. And it’s not surprising that she was blessed with a long life, worthy of our commentary today, beyond the Biblically allowed three score years at the Lord’s benevolent pleasure, because today, she lives on in our minds and hearts, because her infectious, edifying life, which would continue to speak in her stead going forward.”
Mama was born in 1934 to Pa Uzodinma and Mrs Janet Uzodinma all of blessed memories. Late Madam Lady Aladura Chinma Theresa Amaefula was born in a traditional bone setter’s home her father being a renowned traditional Orthepedic doctor. Her life was captured with great passion for her family and their welfare. On Tuesday 26th of March 2024 Mama transited in the early morning hours. Her exemplary life of compassion and slow in anger was remarkable. She gave birth to 3 children, a lady and two men. Her interment and 40th day Prayer session on Friday 21st of June 2024 was an occasion many would like to remember in her community for it was a grand occasion with the presence of friends and members of several groups including Alumni members of Emeka Amaefula and Mr Ibrahim Bakare a representative of City People Magazine Lagos and members of Correspondents’ Chapel Nigerian Union of Journalists-NUJ Rivers State Council were all present. Alvana 1980s group and other alumni associations of Abia State University Uturu, Abia State while others of Federal University of Technology Yola now Moddibo Adama University Yola joined in the live streaming of the burial ceremony proper as they were also present to console Veteran Journalist, Emeka Amaefula who is now a Media Consultant. The Old Students’ Association of National Secondary School Ntueke Ideato South Local Government Area in Imo State led by National President Dr. Emmanuel Nwosu were at the funeral ceremony to be with their member Emeka Amaefula. Special recognitions for Mr. Chima Iwu, Laura Rebecca Oshiedu, Dr. Chris Azode, Mrs. Dawn Sunrise DLB, Angel Okoyeocha, Amaka Rea and Mr. Chigozie Ajoku, Mazi Emeka Ifenwata for their roles.
On Sunday 23rd of June 2024, there was a Church Outing Service at Mount of Peace Cherubim and Seraphim Iho District.
-Emeka Amaefula