In Memoriam: Mama
Fatu Onoja Odeh
Words failed me and for the first time I am unable to fully
express how I really feel about the transition of another of my “mother.”
My friends in America kept us asking me, how many mothers do
I have?
The answer is simply, too numerous to count, because in
Africa, your mother is that woman, sister, daughter and even stranger that love
you so much that she’s willing to breastfeed you and treat you like one of her
blood!
I am from a polygamous family; that is already established!
What many people, however did not know about my family is
that when you come closer, irrespective of the challenges we face, deep down in
our heart, love permeates all our actions. We the siblings grow up loving
ourselves in a unique ways that makes so many to envy the Odeh’s family.
This would not have been possible without the exemplary
lives of all of our mothers.
Today, I write with heavy heart, the humanly untimely
transition of one of my mother, Mama Fatu Onoja Odeh of blessed memories.
I am who I am today in part because of her love, care and
compassionate discipline that abound in every good mother!
I am also in the field that I am because way back in the
primary school when I was playfully doing a demonstration of how plants grow,
she told me science was the best thing for me.
She was there for me as a child, as any mother will be for
her child.
She was at my graduation.
She was at my traditional marriage in Kabba, Kogi State,
Nigeria.
She was in Abuja for my church wedding at Holy Rosary Catholic
Church.
She was with us when my first son Fidelis Oga Odeh Jr., was
born
She was with my family when Oronya Jr., was born, even
though I had left Nigeria.
Then my brother Innocent died and John followed, and we all
begin to wonder for how long can a woman bear these losses? If not for her
trust and hope in God, no human being could have expected that my mother will
be here until now!
She waited until her last born and the youngest of my
siblings, Onoja Jr., got married; with plenty of celebration, dancing, eating
and merrymaking, all the guests have gone back to their respective homes and
every place have become quiet, then quietly she urge the Lord, our God in whom
she trust, to come now because she’s ready to return back to her creator.
There has never been a time that death is ever a welcome
thing in life, no matter how deplorable the condition of a man may be, and this
case is not any different. Nevertheless, I dare to celebrate the life and time
of my mother, Mama Fatu!
Yes, I dare to celebrate her life and offer God,
thanksgiving for her stay with us!
She is as fair as the moon and bright as the sun for all of
her children; encouraging and admonishing us at the same time. While people see
our mistakes, she deliberately chose to see our efforts to right the wrong.
I am very much encouraged by the words of the Prophet
Jeremiah:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you….”
~ Jeremiah 1: 5
Now that you have begun your journey to eternity, please
Mama Fatu do me a favour: Pray for all of us that you are leaving behind! Ask
God to give courage and strength to all your children especially, Inalegwu and
Owoicho and also Onyema and her children.
Okay, greet John, Innocent, Amedu, Eliza and all our beloved
ones that have faithfully departed this world.
As you rest, may the almighty God shine upon your beautiful
soul, his perpetual light of eternal life and glory and may your soul and those
of our beloved and all the faithful rest in perfect peace in our Lord, Jesus
Christ. Amen!
I love you, but our God love you more!
#LightOut
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