THE family of Justin Okorafor Agwu of Umuchiakuma, Ihechiowa, in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, has formally announced the transition to glory of Ezinne Cecelia Orieji Okorafor, its matriarch.

According to a statement issued by the family, Okorafor passed on recently at the age of 85.

The late Okorafor was renowned for her philanthropy. As a community leader, she contributed immensely to the development and growth of her community and its people, particularly after the Nigerian Civil war.  She was also a successful trader whose vocation took her across several borders beyond the shores of the Eastern Nigeria.

Okorafor was more reputed for her strong belief in God, living the life of a devout Catholic, who participated actively in the Catholic Women Organisation, CWO, Umuahia Diocese, and inspired thousands of women to serve God and honour their husbands.

In her life time, Okorafor was a peacemaker and an embodiment of tolerance, devotion, discipline and hard work – traits she passed on to her offspring. Fondly described as “Peace Builder, Ochiri Ozua, Ozuu Afia, Ezinne Gburugburu, Nne  Oma Deanary, Okpe Udo” Ezinne Okorafor was highly respected by her contemporaries and admired by other younger age grades in the community.

She is survived by many children, grand-children and great-grand-children, among whom is Isaac Okorafor, acting director, Corporate Communications at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The burial programme released by the Okorafor family indicates that Ezinne Okorafor’s body would be interred at the Okorafor family compound in Umuchiakuma, Ihechiowa, in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State on Friday, August 11, 2017, after a funeral mass at St. Mulumba’s Catholic Church, Umuchiakuma, Ihechiowa.

Aug 14, 2017 @ 01:00 GMT