by 
By Rev. Dr Lucky Nkem Eleogu
In his book, Hamlet, the famous 16th century English playwright and actor, William Shakespeare described death as a ” Common knowledge” and went further to State that ” All that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity.”
Madam Eunice Ekenma Okocha (Nee Ogbonna) was born on the 31st of December, 1940 into the good family of Late Ogbonnaya Mba and Asim Onu Item of Umechulu Amaokai Amaokwe Item in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
Mama Okocha was the fifth child of her parents. As a growing up child, mama was an epitome of african beauty, intelligent and smart. She was loved and cherished greatly by her late parents, siblings and all that came in contact with her. Mama was exceptional in all ramifications especially in her character despite her unique essence as a paragon of beauty amongst her peers.
Madam Eunice Ekenma Okocha’s beauty, uniqueness, elegance, quite disposition and beautiful smiles endeared her more to people as well as earned her the nickname “Baby Asim” by her siblings especially her immediate younger brother, Mr Emmanuel Mba Ogbonna (Who is now resident in USA).
Young mama Okocha was admitted into the Methodist Primary School Amaokwe Item in 1947 when education was exclusively meant for boys but erroneously seen as a waste of money, time and resources training the girl child in school. Mama had big dreams of finishing her primary education and going to the college, a dream truncated by the death of her beloved father at a tender age. This prompted her to stop at standard six with good grades.
Late Madam Eunice Ekenma Okocha got married at a young age to Late Mr Sampson Okocha Mba upon the recommendation of her sister in-law, Madam Oyidiya Egu of blessed memory having spotted the paragon of beauty with an excellent character. She immediately connected mama to her brother, Mr Sampson Okocha Mba who was a business man at Zonkwa now in Kaduna State.
Upon arrival to her husband’s house, the business took a positive dimension both in sales and record keeping because of mama’s ability to read and write. She gave a professional and academic touch to the life and growth of her husband’s business which was before then greatly characterized with non accountability and backwardness.
As traders, engaged in different kinds of goods and services in Zonkwa, mama Okocha spoke Hausa Language fluently and her extraordinary beauty made most people mistook her to be a Fulani woman, which attracted many people to patronize them thereby making their business to flourish greatly with respect to the fact of her blending and connectivity with their immediate business environment.
Mama Okocha’s business acumen and extraordinary versatility in aspect of their business made it possible for her to try her hands in many trades when they relocated back to the South East which of course paid off.
Infact, her special love and care for children made it possible for her to raise her children after the demise of her husband. A virtue that gave her much credit till date.
Late Madam Eunice Ekenma Okocha associated with both the old and young and always welcomed visitors to her home with open arms. Nobody comes to mama’s house without eating or having something to drink as it was always in her nature to take good care of her guests.
Baby Asim as she was fondly called was caring, kindhearted to a fault as she was always in the habit of inquiring about the wellbeing and welfare of members of her family and those around her. She was a great listener and adviser. A virtue that made her outstanding and exceptional amongst her rivals and peers.
Mama Okocha was a big source of inspiration to her children, the Okocha family and any she came in contact with. A woman endowed with great wisdom and understanding of life.
Madam Eunice Ekenma Okocha was a dedicated member of the Methodist Church Nigeria with committed fellowship with the women’s fellowship and St. Peter’s Group in the church. She was a devoted Christian and God fearing woman. Mama doesn’t miss her morning devotions with her family members, an opportunity she uses to preach and admonish them to love one another and be at peace with everyone. Mama Okocha’s commitment in the vineyard of God made the church to honour her with an award in 2016 as Septuagenarian of the year.
Mama is the perfect example of the biblical teaching about giving and sharing. She derived great joy in sharing whatever she had with the less privileged and those around her.
Even on her sick bed, mama Okocha’s faith in God remained unwavering. She kept praising God and interceding for her family.
Like what could be described as the biblical last supper and as if she knew her time was up, mama Eunice Ekenma Okocha prepared a very sumptuous meal for her family on Tuesday, the 19th day of October, 2021 after a family meeting. Four days after precisely on Saturday, the 23rd day of October, 2021, mama took a glorious bow, out of this sinful world to go be with her maker.
In the words of James O’Bar, “If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them.”
Aged 81, Late Madam Eunice Ekenma Okocha is survived by Mrs Clara Uzunma Ogali – daughter, Miss Jane Ogbenyealu Okocha – daughter, Mr Ekeoma Kenneth Okocha – son, Evang. Mrs Lilian Ngọzi Lucky – daughter, Mrs Agbonma Ekeoma Okocha – Daughter in-law, Rev. Dr Lucky Nkem Eleogu – Son in-law, grandchildren and a host of other relations.
As she will be laid to rest tomorrow, Saturday the 19th day of February, 2022 at her husband’s compound, Eziuduka Umukoma Okoko Item, we pray God to grant her soul a peaceful repose.
ADIEU MAMA! ADIEU EZINNE!!! ADIEU BABY ASIM!!!
