All is set for the funeral rites of Late Chief Mrs. Beatrice Nneaneke Edeh, the mother of Mr Sunny Edeh, the owner of Eden Crest Hotel and Resort, Enugu.
She died on Monday, 3rd October, 2022, at the Niger Foundation Hospital, Independence Layout, Enugu.
A statement signed by son Mr. Sunny Edeh (Eden Crest) says her body departs Eastern Nigeria Medical Center Mortuary at 8:09am on Friday December 2nd, to her Enugu residence at No 12 Edeogbodo Awkunanaw, Enugu for a brief stop over.
At 9:15 am same day, body departs Enugu to Akpugo.
Burial Mass holds at 11:am at St. Brendan’s Catholic Parish Obinagu Uwani, Akpugo.
Mama Beatrice Nworie Ede was born in 1954 into the family of the late chief Nnam Okoene Egbo and Mrs Mary Nwannaji be Nnaji Onovo.
Her father, the late chief Okoene Egbo was from Ogbozinne village O’Eji Ndiagu Akpugo while her mother, the late Mrs Mary Nwannaji was from the family of the Nnamani be Nnaji Onovo of Amekeani Akpugo, all in the Nkanu Division (now Nkanu West LGA) of Enugu State.
Mama was the third and last child from her mother’s womb as the Okoene Egbo family was a polygamous one which was in vogue in the good old days.
Mama grew up in the family of her elder sister, Mrs Nwafor be Chifu Ede of Eziokwe village, in Obinagu Uwani, Akpugo Nkanu. Many people thought she was the first daughter of the late Chifu Ede.
Her elder sister, Mrs Nwafor be Chifu Ede (now known as Ezinne Maria Nwachukwu) was a big business woman dealing in mangara fish which she used to sell at Eke Oguge market Agbani and Nkwo Ishiri market Umuzi (i.e Nkwo market Obinagu Uwani Akpugo) with the young girl.
EDUCATION
Mama never acquired any formal education, because in those days, people did not value education, what more, sending their girl children to school. Rather, Mama, like her peers then, received sound and quality informal education based on good mannerism and useful local skills which was acquired by close and careful observation and imitation or emulation of the parents and elders.
And so, Mama, besides other skills, learnt the art of trading from her elder sister.
MARRIAGE
As pointed out above, Mama used to help her sister to sell mangara fish at Eke Agbani, Nkwo Ishiri market, and in other local markets in and around Akpugo town.
Perhaps, it was when she was doing that business at Nkwo Ishiri Obinagu Uwani, that the eagle eyes of Chief Michael Ede, who never joked with good and noble things caught the beautiful, and fair-complexioned young Beatrice and did the hook-up immediately for his younger brother, the handsome, tall and dark complexioned John Ede.
That was far back in 1970 and the whole thing metamorphosed into a successful and fruitful marriage that produced three healthy, bubbling and promising young illustrious men, that are bidding Mama farewell today together with their other brothers and sisters from another mother.One good turn deserves another.
Mama, in turn, lived with her little cousin, Amuche Veronica Ede (now Mrs Amuche Veronica Amushi) from 1971 – 1978. After marriage, mama did not continue with the buying and selling of mangala fish. She diverted into palm produce and other commodities in Enugu city where she relocated with her husband.The desire to have a very large family made her husband marry another wife in the mid-1980s who was home-based.
RELIGION AND SOCIAL LIFE
Mama was catholic by faith, together with papa, she became more active and serious with her religious life in the early 1990s with her active participation in Legion of Mary, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and Charism, and of course the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO).
Indeed, she was a Catholic to the core. As regards Mama’s social life, she was an extreme introvert, as opposed to her husband who was an extrovert par excellence. Her relationship with her co-wife, her co-wife’s children, husband, neighbours, tenants, her Christian brothers and sisters and Umuonovo Ani Women’s Association was relatively good.
Like every mortal, Mama had her own shortfalls which the Almighty God in his infinite mercy will forgive and grant her perfect peace.
DEMISE
Whatever has a beginning must surely have an end too. And so it was in the case of Mama, who passed onto glory on Monday, 3rd October, 2022, at the Niger Foundation Hospital, Independence Layout, Enugu.This is the way of all flesh. This is the end of all struggles on earth.
However, there is hope for another life in Heaven that has no end.
CONCLUSION
On Friday, 2nd December, 2022, we, your children, grand-children, in-laws, the Okoene Egbo Family, the entire Ede Ani Ede family, the whole Umuonovo Ani family, Akpugo and Enugu Catholic community, numerous friends and well-wishers, will join in bidding you farewell. May the Good Lord grant your gentle soul perfect peace, in Jesus name, amen.
AdieuEzigbo Nnem!Adieu Nwunye John Ede!!Adieu Ada Okoene Egbo!!!Signed Chief Sunday Ede (First son) For the entire family.
