By Michael Nnebife
The remains of Hon Noble Lady Rose Maria Ekwenibe, the mother of Rev Fr Hilary Peter Ekwenibe, and those of her son, John Kennedy, have been laid to rest at their Neni country home in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The double burial ceremony, which began with a Holy Mass, presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, at St Michael’s Catholic Parish, Neni, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, attracted throngs of religious men and women, who included Archbishop Valerian Okeke of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, represented by Rev Fr Jobosco Ezike; noble knights and ladies of St John’s International; Catholic Men’s and Women’s Organizations; and members of the Iyom Society of Neni.
Speaking in a homily during the Mass, Bishop Ezeokafor described Hon Noble Lady Ekwenibe as a good Christian who demonstrated firm and strong faith in God and the Church.
These, according to the Bishop, manifested in her various services and sacrifices, which included giving out her first son to God and the Church as a priest.
With an emotion-laden voice, Ezeokafor expressed sadness over the deaths of Lady Ekwenibe and her son, John Kennedy, within the same period of time, but encouraged Fr Ekwenibe and his siblings to thank God in all situations.
He consoled them and all their relations, urging them to grieve, but not like those that had no hope of resurrection and eternal life.
The Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese admonished the congregation that filled the gigantic St Michael’s Church building, to reflect on their lives and prepare for their deaths, having heaven as their target.
Bishop Ezeokafor further advised them to use their lives to conquer the world by making positive impact on the lives of others and for the overall development of society.
In his appreciation remarks, Fr Ekwenibe, who described his mother and his brother, John Kennedy, as rare gifts of God to the Ekwenibe Family, thanked the Bishop, all the dignitaries, friends and well-wishers of the Ekwenibe Family, for their support and prayers.
Fr Ekwenibe, who further described his mother as ‘the earthly Ave Maria’, said that she showed him, his siblings, and all that came in contact with her that one could be a good Catholic, mother, knight, politician, entrepreneur, teacher and saint at the same time.
In a funeral oration presented at her graveside by one of her sons, Mr Kingsley Ekwenibe, on behalf of his siblings, Noble Lady Ekwenibe’s children described her as a Catholic Christian mother whose life was not just simply lived, but also lavished with uncommon generosity, selfless sacrifices, among others.
According to Kingsley, their mother nurtured many boys and girls, mentored women and influenced many marriages positively.
He said their mother was proof of the proverb, ”Nwanyi bu ife” – woman is treasure.
He explained that their mother, who held various leadership positions, both in the Church and in the political scene of Anambra State as a councillor, supervisor, among others, without compromising her faith in God, stood in the frontline of pro-life work for women, natural family planning, marriage counselling, and humanitarian initiatives.
According to him, their mother left an enduring legacy in the areas of women’s empowerment, unwavering faith in God and service to humanity.
After the interments at Lady Ekwenibe’s husband’s compound and Kennedy’s compound, friends and well-wishers, including associates of the Ekwenibes, took turns to pay them condolence visits at St Michael’s Parish’s Field.
The Vigil Mass of the double funeral which held on Friday, February 6, and officiated by the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Peter Cardinal Ebere Okpaleke, attracted the presence of who’s who in Anambra State, including a former Governor of the State, Mr Peter Obi; the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Sir Victor Umeh; a former Senator that represented the Zone, Iyom Uche Ekwunife, among others.