By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ama Elumelu is a woman whose departure would be greatly missed. “She was so humble and a woman of wisdom, who brought up her children in a God fearing way”. In my last encounter with her last year, Mama gracefully and affectionately pronounced her daughter’s name with a stock phrase: “Nkem Amuna Elumelu,” – Tonia the daughter of Elumelu and wife of Prince Akindele,and majestically combined it with a fitting motherly eulogy and prayer, as I observed with keen interest, the inspiring manner in which Ezinne (Mrs) Anna Kanebi Elumelu nee Nzekwue greeted her daughter in late june 2022. Her response was with such a calm, humble, friendly and happy demeanour. Status means nothing when you know how to respect your parents.

When mama returned to her residence in Ibusa from her London visit, mama ensured she greeted every one of us with warm affection.

Interestingly, Mama’s house was where daughter Mrs Tonia Akindele who came from London had scheduled to meet the Community Newspaper Publishers from Asaba, and I was an observer in the team that included my dear brother and colleague Peter Legacy. Writing about it means I did not take that happenstance lightly. As an Ibusa boy, it triggered something special in me.

That beautiful encounter left me with a lasting mental impression, and made me to understand that Ezinne (Mrs) Anna Kanebi Elumelu nee Nzekwue was a special woman knowledgeable in the mystery of the word of God and one who understood times and seasons. Mama must have known that “God does not deal with mankind as a loosely disordered aggregation of individuals,” and that “lineage is thus a cardinal component in God’s continuation of His covenant with mankind,” explained Gic Serry. The Elumelu lineage meant a lot to her and it must be preserved.

So, in addition to the fitting and beautiful celebration of the life and times of Mama Elumelu, a quintessential mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who died at 84, there is something unique that young mothers and aspiring mothers or parents can learn from her to propel their children to greatness: “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 6:7. Indeed, the prayer of a righteous woman avails much and it is the Lord’s secret weapon.

Noticeably, she never stopped calling her “Nkem Amuna,” even after praying her to present position and until her death. It was an encouragement that will constantly remind her to “always remember the daughter of whom you are.” You never can tell how much the majestic eulogy and fervent prayers of a mother can make a man or woman to pursue limitless possibilities. That is why you often hear from people talk about a successful woman or man as one “who has his or her mother behind like a hunchback.” It is a popular talk in Nigeria communities.

Ezinne (Mrs) Anna Kanebi Elumelu nee Nzekwue knew the importance of adopting this elegant approach to greeting her daughter (I supposed all the children), for them to possibly: “understand the worth of the lineage, develop a sense of honour and pride, and also to bring out the best in them.” When the blind beggar called: “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!” in Luke 18:38, our Lord Jesus Christ stood and attended to his need. The Canaanite woman cried and said “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed” in Matthew 15:22. He answered her. The manner of these calls were very special to Jesus.

According to Wikipedia, “Matthew begins by calling Jesus the son of David, indicating his royal origin, and also son of Abraham, indicating that he was an Israelite; both are stock phrases, in which son means descendant, calling to mind the promises God made to David and to Abraham.” This is significant, and it is a virtue every mother, father and parent should learn to adopt. Definitely, Mama Elumelu must have made a success of her family by learning from the life of our saviour Jesus Christ and other historical contexts in the Bible.

When you look at how Mrs Tonis Akindele has handled people around her and how she has consistently dared to be different, you cannot but see that motherly touch of kindness and love, which has continued to inspire her to be outstanding. Although I have refrained from writing to praise her efforts and love towards people around, because to whom much is given much is also expected, however, I cannot in good conscience write about Mama Elumelu, without saying the obvious about her daughter, the beloved daughter Mrs Tonia Akindele, Co-Founder, The Light Diabetes Organisation. She has been truly remarkable. This one is about Mama. I will certainly write about her in the nearest future, especially about the enviable leadership role she provided in the health sector especially on Diabetes patients in Delta State.

Let us celebrate the Majestic Mamam Elumelu, a truly remarkable and quintessential mother whose transition to heaven, like the Comet, was equally majestic. She was truly an inspiring mother who made her home open to everyone, while her hospitality gave a sense of belonging to those who crossed her path. As a family-oriented woman, she was a beautiful soul, most loving and caring, compassionate and humble, understanding and frank. She is a mother of mothers.

Although the loss of a loving mother is a painful loss to bear, but the Elumelus must take heart and find solace in the understanding that death is inevitable, while Mama’s departure must be seen as the ascension of a saint. Mama lived a focused and fulfilled life with the gracious hope of eternal life. She gave her family exceptional memories too beautiful to forget.

On behalf of my family and the entire members of Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria(ACNPN), I write to convey to the entire family of the Elumelus our heartfelt condolences on the passing unto glory of your dearly beloved matriarch. No matter how old we get, we still need our mothers. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God Almighty grant the entire family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Good night Mama Elumelu, mother of mothers( NNE OHA).