By Vincent Ujumadu

ALL roads led to Aguobu Owa, Ezeagu local government area of Enugu State on February 8, 2025. That was when the remains of Lady Cordelia Ogbonne Anibeze, were laid to rest in her country home at Ogwofia Onuata in Ozom, Aguobu Owa.

The well – attended funeral ceremony attracted friends of the family and well wishers from several parts of the country. Lady Anibeze died at the age of 94 years.

An ardent Catholic, Lady Anibeze led many women organizations during her lifetime. It was, therefore, not surprising that all those organizations were fully in attendance during her burial, thus signifying her leadership qualities and the number of lives she touched.

Before the body of Lady Anibeze was brought to her home for lying in state, there was a stop over at her maiden home where her relatives paid glowing tributes. The aged, the young, all filed past to pay her their last respect. This was followed by canon shots to signify her last visit to the community that gave birth to her. Her lying in state was memorable as her children and other relations took turns to eulogize her with various pet names. Though they all shed tears as people do whenever they lose someone, the atmosphere still portrayed the fact that her’s was a celebration of life

Her first son, Chuka Moses Anibeze, in a tribute, assured his late mother that the family will continue from where she stopped. With tears trickling down his cheeks, Moses described his mother as sweet and kind. “What a rude shock! I scream, I shout and I twist and turn for your return, but all to no avail. I am lonely because my warmth and sunshine are gone”, he managed to say amid sobs. Professor Chike Anibeze, one of her sons, also paid glowing tribute to their late mother saying, “Despite the overwhelming responsibilities she bore as a single mother, Lady Cordelia established herself as one of the most remarkable women of her generation.

“Her strength of character, tireless work ethic and devotion to her community, made her a figure of inspiration. She was a woman who not only raised a family, but also contributed to the society around her in profound and lasting ways. “Her legacy lives on, not only in the achievements of her children, but also in the countless lives she touched with her kindness, wisdom and integrity.”

“As we bid farewell to this remarkable woman, we are reminded that her spirit, teachings and love will continue to shape our lives.” Another of her children is Mr. Onochie Anibeze, the Editor of Saturday Vanguard, who has so much influence in media, particularly sports journalism.

In an emotion – filled tribute to his late mother, Onochie said: “Mama worked hard and prayed hard.. Her devotion to the Catholic faith and the supremacy of God was remarkable. She showed us the way. Block Rosary, morning Masses were routines we imbibed. Up till her early 80s, trekking to morning Mass was a practice that earned her spiritual upliftment and physical fitness. She never went to morning Mass in her car. She was a strong woman. “Mama served God and the Almighty Father heard her prayers. From a woman that toiled in one room with the children in Uwani Enugu, she moved to a decent apartment in New Haven and later owned a house, buying and driving new cars. She was so strong she drove a couple of times to the north from the east in chase of business.

“Her greatest attributes were hard work and prayers. She served God with passion, always saying her Rosary and Jesus I love you. She loved, cared for us and all around her. She once went on vacation to London in 1981, battled cold and wished our leaders appreciated the weather God blessed us with.” “Life and death are in the hands of God and His will always prevails. So, with total submission to the will of God, my siblings and I accept this parting that has come for us to meet again where we can part no more”, Onochie added. Lady Anibeze’s only daughter, Hon. Mrs Vivian Iworah, described her mother as a woman of grace, wisdom and unwavering strength and an epitome of kindness and resilience. “As a mother, she nurtured with endless patience and fierce love, always ensuring that each of us knew our worth and our purpose in this world. She instilled values of integrity, hard work, and compassion, teaching us that family and faith were the foundations upon which everything else should be built.

“At 94, she had seen the world change in ways most of us could only read about in history books, yet she remained timeless. A woman ahead of her time, she was never bound by tradition, but loved by her own terms”, Hon Iworah said of her dear mother. At Christ the King Church, Aguobu Owa, where the burial Mass took place, a mammoth crowd which some of the parishioners confessed, had never been seen in that church, was in attendance. The Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Ernest Obodo, presided at the burial Mass and was assisted by 12 other priests. The Bishop, in his homily, described Lady Anibeze as a hardworking woman who, though widowed at the age of 36, was able to train all her children who are excelling in their various professions. He urged everyone to always prepare for death, which must come, noting that most times, people do not want to talk about death because they are afraid of it.

The cleric said: “We are afraid to die because we are holding on to the things of life. Everybody will die one day, whether we are poor or rich. We should, therefore, live life as if we will die the next hour because by so doing, we will be fully prepared for the judgment that will come after death.

“The good thing about Madam Anibeze is that her children looked after her very well. Though she lost her husband at the age of 36 years, she never lost hope in life. During her lifetime, she never feared to handle any challenge that faced her and the people, in all the places she lived, testified to that. God has therefore given a place of rest for her.”

The Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai, who spoke on behalf of Governor Peter Mba, urged members of Anibeze family to bear the loss of their mother with fortitude. “We pray with you at this hour of your grief and as Christians, you have to endure, knowing that your mother has gone to rest with the Lord,” he stated.

Apart from Enugu State government which large delegation was led by the deputy governor, the Vanguard Media family, led by the Editor and President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, was fully represented. Being the host, the South East Regional Editor of Vanguard, Anayo Okoli, also mobilized his reporters to Aguobu Owa. Also, the staff of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, where one of the sons of Lady Cordelia Anibeze, Professor Chike Anibeze, is the Director of Academic Planning, were fully on ground. Among ESUT community members that attended the burial ceremony include the Vice Chancellor, Professor Alloy Okoli and the Registrar, Ambrose Ugwu, Professor Chinedu Nebo, the Vice Chancellor of the University on the Niger, as well as Professor Francis Akpuaka, whose footprints could be found in many Nigerian Medical Schools, were also in attendance. Ex-Enugu Rangers International players, who were led by Chairman Christian Chukwu, include Paul Obiako, (former goal keeper), Jonny Egbonu (wonder boy), Ifeanyi Eze, Harrison Okagbue, Francis Nwosu, Christian Isiadinso and Silvanus Okpala. Traditional rulers, the academia, businessmen and politicians from various parts of Enugu State were not left out. One of Onochie’s old time friends, Chief Ben Ezeibe was also there.

Among those who also paid tribute to the late Lady Anibeze were the Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Peter Mba, Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, former governor of Anambra State, Peter Gregory Obi, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, the Senator representing Enugu West and Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu and former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo.