By Ingram Osigwe
Cicero, the great poet, perhaps had the late Evangelist Mabel Nnenna Obi Amankediniru, of Umunwokeocha Ikpa, Umukegwu village, Akokwa in Ideato North local government area of Imo state in mind when he penned that immortal line: “The Life of the dead is placed in the hearts of the living”.
Indeed for the Obi family, their late matriarch lives on, for even though no longer physically present in this world, she joyfully lives in their hearts having departed this world in a blaze of glory to join the saints at the ripe age of 85.
Yet, because the Obis are mortals and because the late Evangelist Amankediniru Obi is intensely loved and sorely missed by them and by all those who knew her, it has been for members of the family and everyone else, tears on the cheeks, hands on the chin, heads bowed in supplications and sorrow, thoughts in wonder, hearts in sorrow and in melancholy and mouths agape as they grapple with the ephemerality of life and the grim reality of the finality of death.
A devout Christian who worked tirelessly in the Lord’s vineyard till the very end, during her lifetime, the late Evangelist Mabel Nnenne Obi Amankediniru embarked on numerous soul-winning evangelism in different parts of Nigeria including Akokwa, Onitsha and Lagos, preaching the good news and winning souls for Christ.
She was a great preacher of the word, an ardent philanthropist and social advocate who loved, cared for, provided for and looked after the sick, the old, orphans and the infirm.
Whether in Onitsha, Lagos, Akokwa or the United States which she visited often, the late Evangelist Amankediniru’s greatest companion was the Bible.
She was never shy of open-air, street-to-street early morning evangelism which she did always hence she cherished a wireless microphone and portable loudspeaker as gifts.
Her daughter, Mrs Ngozi Udokoro in reminiscing the life and time of her late mum summed up the salutary life she lived thus: “Our mother was a peacemaker, a lover of peace and a marriage counsellor who successfully brought many marriages on the brink of collapse back to life; she was filled with love and devotion for her family and all those around her…she will be greatly missed for her kindness and humility. Her legacy will be honoured forever and the love she inspired in everyone around her will continue to be shared to all.”
The late Evangelist Amankediniru will be laid to rest on Thursday, April 4th, 2024 at the family compound in Umunwokeocha Ikpa Umukegwu village.
A statement signed by Mr. Iheanyichukwu Obi and Mr Emperor Chika Obi on behalf of the Obi family indicates that the rites of passage for the deceased will commence on Easter Sunday, March 31st, 2024 with Service of Songs at St. John’s Anglican Church, Fegge Onitsha by 4 pm.
This will be followed by a Christian wake keep on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 at Late Franco Obi Compound Umunwoke Ocha (Ikpa) Umukegwu Akokwa by 4 pm.
The late Evangelist Amankediniru’s body will be laid in state at her husband, Late Franco Asika Obi’s compound on Thursday, April 4th, 2024 by 8 am.
The funeral service will take place at St. Michael Anglican Church, Umukegwu Akokwa Ideato North, Imo State by 10 am the same day, followed by interment at her late husband’s compound.
Thanksgiving service in her honour will be held on Sunday, April 9th, 2024 at St. Michael Anglican Church, Umukegwu Akokwa by 9 am.
The late Evangelist Amankediniru was survived by Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and numerous other relations including Ifeanyi Obi, Emperor Chika Obi and Lady Ngozi Udokoro.
In-laws, Chief Emma Udokoro, Chief Victor Okechukwu.
– Chief Ingram Osigwe writes from Afor-Umuopia, Akokwa