…Bishop Ezeokafor Presides Over Vigil Mass
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nnokwa in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was filled to capacity on Friday, 23rd January 2026, as Rev. Fr. Robinson Agbadugo buried his mother, Lady Grace Ngozi Agbadugo a.k.a. Dibundo (Née Nwolisa), aged 80 years.
The funeral ceremony which was preceded by a Vigil Mass presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, held on Thursday, 22nd January 2026, while the Concelebrated Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia – CADEK, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpalaeke, took place on Friday 23rd January 2026, took place at her husband’s compound in Ahannonu kindred Ubili Village, Nnokwa.
In his homily, Cardinal Okpalaeke x-rayed the life and times of the matriarch, describing her as a woman of substance, a great disciplinarian, and a renowned teacher who taught in different secondary schools and was able to leave her footprints on the sands of time.
The Bishop said he was in a better position to talk about the late Lady Grace Ngozi Agbadugo, having encountered her while on earth.
Cardinal Okpalaeke, while eulogizing the deceased, exhorted the womenfolk to take their roles seriously as wives and mothers, urging them to emulate and study the deceased’s journey on earth, describing her stay on earth as eventful.
‘I know the late Agbadugo too well. She was everything a mother and a wife should be. She joined hands with her husband to nurture and train her children. Today, those children are doing well in their respective rights. The meagre resources they had didn’t stop them from giving their children the right morals. I am a living witness. I can comfortably tell you that Mama died a fulfilled woman. She came, she saw and conquered.’
Earlier, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, in his homily while presiding over the vigil Mass, exhorted Christians not to think only for themselves and their wellbeing but to know that the world was full of ups and downs, stating that many forgot that God would continue to test their faith in Him.
He urged those hoping and believing that sufferings and death were not their portion to have a rethink, adding that every living being must encounter all phases of life, which he described as the good, the bad and the ugly.
‘Each time I see these people saying suffering is not their portion, I laugh. Every human being must pass through some difficulties. Stop making that mistake. We cannot run away from it. We cannot even manoeuvre it. Certain things happen for a reason. God can test us in so many ways. The world is not a bed of roses.
‘Those sufferings will help to check mate your excesses. It will always remind us that we are still under the watchful eyes of God. He loves us and will not disappoint us. He remains the same. Let us always think about the everlasting.
‘We thank God for the gift of the late Lady Grace Ngozi Agbadugo. She lived a life worthy of emulation and was a staunch member of Catholic Women’s Organization, Life Member, many pious societies, as well as a devout Catholic. She was able to groom a lot of people as a teacher.
‘Lady Grace Ngozi Agbadugo has lived her life, and today, she is no more. We must learn that there will a day we will no longer be here. Let us strive to do good and ensure that we are at peace ourselves, neighbours and God,’ Bishop Ezeokafor said.
Over 50 priests attended the funeral Mass, including the Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province and Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Grace Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, represented by the Episcopal Vicar of Nnobi Region, Reverend Father Victor Ezeanya.
Others are Monsignor J.P.C Nzomiwu, the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nnokwa; Rev. Fr. Godwin Modum, represented by Rev. Fr. Nicholas Okwuosa, among others.
A commendation prayer was said by the Vicar General of Ekwulobia Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Professor Anthony Chiegboka.
Appreciating the Cardinal, priests, religious ,and lay faithful, Reverend Father Robinson Agbadugo, represented by Rev. Fr. Pascal Onwugbenu, thanked Cardinal Okpalaeke for coming around to officiate the mass as well as what he described as his detailed homily.
Appreciating Cardinal Okpalaeke and Bishop Ezeokafor on behalf of the family, Engr. Sylvester Agbadugo, said, ‘We the entire family of Ozo Bernard Chinonye Agbadugo wish to acknowledge with profound gratitude your expression of sympathy on the departure of our dearly beloved mother, aunt, sister, mother-in-law, grand and great grand mother, the late Lady Grace Ngozi Agbadugo, a.k.a. Dibundo.
‘We want to say thanks to all the clergies, religious, knights and ladies, friends, and well-wishers for your presence.
In a special way, we appreciate the presence of His Eminence; Peter Ebere Okpalaeke and His Lordship, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, for devoting their time to honour this burial despite their tight schedules.
May the Almighty continue to bless you all,’ he concluded.
Internment, condolences by relatives, in-laws, and well-wishers, formed the highpoints of the ceremony.