Isiocha Royal Family Bids Ugoeze Ezinne Janet Oluga Grand Farewell
Amaokwe Amiyi in Isuikwuato local government area of Abia State was literally shut down as Prince Okezie Isiocha and his siblings bid their beloved mother and matriarch of the famous Isiocha Royal Family in Isuikwuato LGA and beyond grand farewell
It was a grand royal farewell, a carnival of sort and a celebration of a life well-lived in all ramifications as the entire Isuikwuato LGA literally stood still during the burial of Her Royal Majesty Ugoeze Ezinne Janet Oluga Isiocha, wife of HRM Eze Benjamin Ireonu Isiocha, the late Igweruaka of Oguduasa.
The unprecedented turnout and avalanche of eulogies from far and near in the wake of her demise attest to her remarkable personality and overwhelming popularity of the Isiocha Royal Family within and outside Isuikwuato.
The final journey of Her Royal Majesty, Ugoeze Ezinne Janet Oluga Isiocha who died on July 14, 2024 at the ripe age of 92 years started from Living Hope Medical Centre, Eluama in Isuikwuato LGA of Abia State early in the morning on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 when her remains departed for her maiden home, Ikpa Otampa in Isuikwuato LGA in a cream-coloured hearse alongside a black Toyota Sequoia ambulance belonging to the hospital.
On arrival, her body was received by her family members, relatives, friends and others.
After paying last respect to her and offering prayers for the repose of her gentle soul in God’s bosom they departed for her husband’s Grand Royal Palace at Amaokwe Amiyi where her body was received by the Isiocha Royal Family led by the first son of the deceased and chief mourner, Prince Okezie Isiocha.
The reality of his mother’s death dawned on him and the entire family when she did not respond to the fond name “Jenny, Jenny, Nwanyi Oma” he used to call her during her lifetime.
He lamented the demise of his dear mother saying that they have lost a great woman and matriarch of Isiocha Royal Family.
Thereafter, her corpse was laid in state and family members, relatives, in-laws, friends, Anglican faithful, prominent politicians, the academia, top government officials, celebrities and other dignitaries too numerous to mention paid their last respect to her.
After some time the casket was closed and taken to the large family field within the Grand Royal Palace for an open air funeral service conducted by St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Amaokwe Amiyi.
Immediately after the entrance hymn and opening prayer, the deceased’s grand daughter, Queen Emmanuel Alfred took the Bible reading (Rev. 7: 9-17) while her brother, Prof. Tochukwu Vincent Balogu read her biography.
They eulogized the late Ugoeze Ezinne Janet Oluga Isiocha who was born to the family of Jonah Obasi and Sarah Nkperuchi Ikoro of Ikpa Otampa on January 7, 1932 as a very beautiful woman and a peerless role model.
She was an active community leader and a devoted member of Saint Stephen’s Anglican Church, Amokwe Amiyi.
In recognition of her uncommon zeal and active participation in church activities, the Diocese of Isuikwuato Umunneochi Anglican Communion honoured her with the prestigious Ezinne title.
Though the wife of a very rich and famous traditional ruler, the late nonagenarian lived a very simple life devoid of ostentation and grandeur.
Her hospitality was legendary and knew no bounds. Her home was a home for all and she treated everyone as her own child.
They thanked God that she lived up to 92 years and promised that the family she left behind would sustain her legacies of love, peace and kindness.
In his homily taken from Psalms 19:12, the Anglican Bishop of Isuikwuato Umunneochi Diocese, Rt. Rev’d Prof. Prince C. C. Anyim (JP, GDJ) paid glowing tribute to the deceased.
He described her death as a great loss to the people of Isuikwuato, Anglican Church and Abia State at large.
Rt. Rev’d Prof. Prince C. C. Anyim
reminded all that death is inevitable stressing that one day they would die irrespective of their status or riches.
He likened life to a moving vehicle that would definitely stop at any moment and called on those alive to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour before it is too late.
He said that when David realized that death is real and that he would die one day, despite his great power, he humbled himself and asked God “to teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”. (Psalms 90:12)
Bishop Anyim noted that the late Ugoeze Ezinne Janet Oluga Isiocha fought the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6: 12) and finished well.
He thanked God for granting her the grace to live up to 92 years and prayed for God to grant the entire Isiocha Royal Family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss as well as to lead all those that attended the burial of the deceased safely back to their various destinations.
In his response, the chief mourner, Prince Okezie Isiocha on behalf of the entire Isiocha Royal Family expressed profound gratitude to God for making it possible for their precious mother to live up to 92 years.
He appreciated all the family members, relatives, in-laws, friends and the entire people of Amaokwe Amiyi who stood by them for their love and support, especially Dr. Sir Emmanuel Ndubuisi Mbaka (Ugbo Vu Mba), High Chief Ndubuisi Godwin Ochuba, HRH Eze Ndubuisi Alatta, Senator Emma Nwaka, Chief Dave Agwalla (Okwadike), Eke Nwachukwu Nkelime, High Chief Dr. Ray Nkemdirim, Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji (Akujo), Chief Johnbull Emenike Nwachukwu, Elder Bob O. Ochuba, Barr. Greg Okehi, Sir Clement Mbaka, Emeka Ariri among others.
He prayed God to bless them more abundantly adding that they would never lack support in their time of need.
He also thanked Rt. Rev’d. Prof. Prince C. C. Anyim, the Anglican Bishop of Isuikwuato Umunneochi Diocese, all the priests and the entire members of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Amaokwe Amiyi for their prayers and encouragement.
After the funeral service, her remains were committed to mother earth at her husband’s compound in a blaze of glory.
Immediately after interment, the whole place turned to a carnival of sort. There was great merriment, eating, drinking, dancing and paying of condolences by notable dignitaries and different groups.
The burial was a huge success and all those present went back to their various destinations safely. There was no incident of car theft, kidnapping or road accident.
Her Royal Majesty Ugoeze Ezinne Janet Oluga is survived by nine children (Nneora Milcent Abana, Mrs. Ukachi Balogu, Adinma Joy Tunde, Prince Okezie Isiocha, Dr. Henry Uchebike Isiocha – US-based medical practitioner, Ezinwa Malcolm Isiocha, Mrs. Ihuaku Anthonia Ekebere, Chidi Isiocha and Darlington Ireonu Isiocha) including daughters-in-law (Dcn. Mrs. Chinyere Isiocha, Mary Isiocha and Chinonye Blessing Isiocha), 21 grand children, 11 great grand children and so many relatives.
In his speech, the second son of the deceased, Dr. Henry Uchebike Isiocha described his late mother as a very loving and caring woman as well as a strong pillar of strength for the entire family whose absence would be felt far beyond Abia State adding that they would ever remain so proud of her.
In his tribute, Chief Dave Agwalla (Okwadike) described the deceased as a great woman who lived and died great at the ripe age of 92 years.
He lauded her shining virtues of love, peace and benevolence adding that she took good care of all the friends and associates of her children, particularly Prince Okezie and Dr. Henry as her own children and always prayed for their success stressing that the great times they spent together with her would remain evergreen in their memory.
The burial was well attended by a galaxy of distinguished personalities from far and near.
Prominent among the dignitaries present were Senator Emma Nwaka, HRH Eze Sir Ndubuisi Nnaedoezie Alatta, the Obu Ogwugwu 1 of Obu Ebere Aja Autonomous Community, Eluama Isuamawu in Isuikwuato LGA, High Chief Dr. Ray Nkemdirim, Emenike Nwokeoji, the Chief Executive Officer, Allied Services Limited,
Chief Dave Agwalla (Okwadike), Eke Nwachukwu Nkelime, Elder Tony Anieto, Chief Edwin Uche, Emeka Ariri, Chief Godwin Ndubuisi Ochuba, Chief Jimmy N. Ikwuegbu, Barr. Chibuzor Ogele, Barr. Greg Okehi, Lady Ihuoma Omega, Mrs. Juliet Ego Odimegwu, Mrs. Caroline Iheme, Ben Azuonye Ikpo among others.
