Chigbo Goes Home in Style

Fri, Aug 15, 2014
By publisher
4 MIN READ

Social Diary

It was a carnival-like celebration when Victoria Chinelo Chigbo, mother of Maureen Chigbo, editor, Realnews Magazine, was laid to rest in Umuoji village in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State, on August 1

By Anayo Ezugwu  |  Aug. 25, 2014 @ 01:00 GMT

IT WAS a celebration of life well spent as family members, friends and well wishers from all walks of life gathered in Umuoji, Idemili North local government area of Anambra State, to honour Victoria Chinelo Chigbo, mother of Maureen Chigbo, publisher/editor of Realnews Magazine, an online publication. Chigbo, 80, died on June 22, 2014, at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, and was buried on August 1, at her home town, Abidi Village, Umuoji.

Chigbo, who was born in 1934, was a retired school teacher and a tough disciplinarian who reformed the lives of many misguided school children. She was a dedicated life member of the Catholic Church and held several top executive positions in the Catholic Women Organisation, Onitsha archdiocese, and Christ the King Parish, Onitsha. Some of her positions included zonal president, parish vice-president, treasurer and secretary of the umbrella organisation of all women in the Catholic Church in the state.

Late Chigbo's children with their mother's coffin
Late Chigbo’s children with their mother’s coffin

In recognition of her hard work in the church, she was given a papal certificate as a life member of the Catholic Faith and installed as a patroness of the Catholic Women Organisation, Christ the King Parish, Onitsha. She inspired a lot of people and led a lot of souls to God with her dedication and devotion to religious activities.

Chigbo would be missed by her six children and relations. As Nwamaka Chigbo, her first daughter, said in her funeral oration, “though my mother is dead, her achievements in life will continue to live after her.” She would also be missed by the Catholic Women Organisation, CWO, Christ the King Parish, Onitsha and life members of Catholic Church.

The burial was attended by Willie Obiano, Anambra State governor, who was represented by Tony Onyima, commissioner for information in the state; Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor, accompanied by a retinue of his officials including Val Obienyem, media aide; Victor Ochie, former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, represented by Paul Osu, his media aide and Majah Umeh, former commissioner for information in Anambra State, Osita Ezenwa, former secretary to the government of Anambra State, and Mike Udah, former chief press secretary to Obi. Present and past executive officers of CWO and Life Members, Onitsha Archdioceses and C.K.P parish also attended including Juliana Chigbo.

Others were Mike Akpan, editor-in-chief, Realnews Magazine; Cletus Okoye, parish priest, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church, Umuoji; Charles Soyombo, parish priest, Catholic Church of Transfiguration, Arepo, Ogun State, Godfrey Aguigwo, parish priest of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Uwani, Enugu, Reverend Father Johnbosco, parish priest, St. Patrick Catholic, New Haven, Okpoko, Onitsha,   Augustine Chigbo, parish priest, St. Luwanga Catholic Church, Okpoko, Onitsha, Jude Mgbeobukwa, parish priest, Christ the King Parish, Odakpu, Onitsha, among other dignitaries.

Rev. Fr. Chigbo blessed the coffin before church service
Rev. Fr. Chigbo blessed the coffin before church service
APAMS Group taking the coffin to church
APAMS Group taking the coffin to church
Late Chigbo being taking to church
Late Chigbo being taken to church
Late Chigbo being blessed before church service
Late Chigbo being blessed before church service
Late Chigbo being blessed during the church service
Late Chigbo being blessed during the church service by Rev. Fr. Chigbo
Patronesses of Christ the King Parish, Onitsha
Patronesses of Christ the King Parish, Onitsha
CWO during the church service
CWO members during the church service
Her children during the church service
Her children (L-R), Nwakaego, Maureen, Nwamaka and Celestine during the church service
Late Chigbo's children
Late Chigbo’s children
Onyima, representative of Governor Obiano
Onyima, representative of Governor Obiano
Onyima, Maureen and Fidelia Salami
Onyima, Maureen and Fidelia Salami
Relatives of late Chigbo
Relatives of late Chigbo
Coming home of late Chigbo
Coming home of late Chigbo after church service
Blessing of the graveyard
Blessing of the graveyard
Lying in state of late Chigbo
Lying in state of late Chigbo
Akpan and Salami
Akpan and Salami
Akpan, Salami and Anayo Ezugwu
Akpan, Salami and Anayo Ezugwu
Cultural dancers entertaining guests
Cultural dancers entertaining guests

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