…Awka, Ekwulobia Dioceses, Priests, Religious, Nanka Catholic Community Mourn Passing of Late Matriarch
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia – CADEK, His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke, says the late Ezinne Maria Ndidiamaka Ofomata, the mother of Reverend Father Emmanuel Ofomata, lived a pious and dedicated life while on earth. She was aged 80 years.
Speaking while delivering an emotion-laden homily during the Requiem Mass held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Nanka, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Cardinal Okpalaeke, exhorted the people to define what they wanted from life, saying the deceased was able to define her path early enough and worked towards it. He called on parents to channel their children’s and wards’ energies towards the things of God, adding that with a solid background rooted in Christ Jesus, every other thing would be added onto them.
He lauded the late matriarch for her dedication, devotion, and love for the Mother Church, emphasizing that her death came to him as a rude shock, having known her for a long period of time.
Mr. Peter Obi, represented by Prof Patrick Obi and Dr Valentine Obienyem; Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District; together with Prof Lilian Oby Orogbu, member representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency; and the C.E.O of Jezco Group, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor; the Director of Fides Media Limited, Reverend Father Obiora Ikeh; the Deputy Director, Reverend Father Constantine Echichechi Okoli; and over 80 priests and consecrated men and women, were in Nanka to commiserate and identify with the Parish Priest of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Okpuno, Awka South LGA, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chimezie Ofomata and the entire Ofomata Family of Ifite Village, Nanka in Orumba North LGA.
The dignitaries also joined friends and well-wishers in condoling with Fr. Emmanuel and his family at their mother’s graveside and formally paid condolences shortly after that.
The Vigil Mass held on Thursday evening recorded a remarkable gathering of Catholic priests who graced the Vigil Mass of the late Maria Ofomata (Nee Nwamuo), a.k.a. Mofo, took place at her residence in Ifite Nanka. The presence of the clergy added spiritual depth and solemnity to the occasion as they joined family members, friends, and parishioners in praying for the peaceful repose of her soul. Their attendance was also a show of love and support to Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ofomata and the entire Ofomata Family during this period of mourning.
United in faith and prayer, the priests celebrated a life well lived and entrusted the departed matriarch to God’s eternal mercy.
The SAVIO ’93 Set arrived in full strength, united in grief and love, as they paid their last respects to the beloved matriarch, the late Ezinne Ofomata.
Senator Victor Umeh, together with Prof Lilian Oby Orogbu, and the CEO of Jezco Group, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, were in Nanka to commiserate with the Parish Priest of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Okpuno, Awka South LGA, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chimezie Ofomata and the entire Ofomata Family of Ifite Village, Nanka in Orumba North LGA on the burial of their mother.
Senator Victor Umeh and his entourage who attended the Requiem Mass presided over by the Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Ebele Okpalaeke, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Nanka, also joined friends and well-wishers in condoling with Fr. Emmanuel and his family at their mother’s graveside and formally paying condolence thereafter.
The Senator, in his tribute, eulogized the late Ezinne Ofomata for the exemplary life she led as a Christian mother, having contributed significantly in promoting the work of God and the Church by giving her son to the Catholic priesthood. He prayed God to welcome her soul into the joy of everlasting life and also grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear what he described as an irreparable loss.
Chief Sir J.J. Ezeokafor (Ezeudo Aguata, Nwachinemelu Ekwulobia), the CEO/MD of Jezco Group, in his message of sympathy, prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul and encouraged the family to remain steadfast in preserving the legacy of faith, humility, love, and good values she left behind.
The funeral rites of the late Ezinne Maria Ndidiamaka Ofomata witnessed an overwhelming turnout as in-laws, relatives, business associates, politicians, clergy, friends, and well-wishers gathered to pay their last respects.
Their presence portrayed a true reflection of a life well lived, filled with love, kindness, and lasting impact.
