By Dave Ukah
The remains of late Ezinne (Mrs) Rebecca Oyiridie Osi, mother of a business mogul, Dr. Gideon Osi (GOC) would be committed to mother Earth on
November 11, 2022, at her country home, Ishiagu in Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State.
According to a statement released by the Publicity sub Committee for the burial which was made available to Journalists in Abakaliki, the funeral programme would begin on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, with a Medical outreach/ Commissioning & dedication of Ezinne Rebecca Oyiride Osi memorial Estate, Ishiagu.
The Wake keep/ Night of Tributes will hold on November 10, 2022, at Dr. Gideon Osi’s country home Ishiagu. Time 6 pm.
A funeral mass is scheduled to hold at St James Catholic Church, Amaze Ishiagu in Ivo LGA at 11 am. There will be an outing Service on November 13th, 2022, at 10 am.
While Condolence Visits would be on Nov 12th, 2022 by noon at Dr. Gideon Osi’s country home, Amaze, Ishiagu
According to the statement, all events would take place between the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th of November 2022 at Ishiagu, Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State.
The statement further added that prominent Nigerians from all walks of life, including Dr. Gideon Osi’s business associates, captain of industries, Politicians, and friends among other well-meaning Nigerians are expected at Ishiagu for his Mom’s burial.
Recall that ” Mama Rebecca Oyiridie Osi,
answered the last divine call from her maker on February 22nd, 2022 (22.2.22), She passed on peacefully in her home after enjoying her dinner and dancing the previous night”.
“Ezinne Rebecca Oyiridie Osi, Ezinne Di Ora Mma was born on the 4th of May, 1940 to the family of Mazi Nwokoro Ndukwe Ajali and Mrs. Ele Ovia Nwokoro of Umuchite Ukpai family of Umusor in Amaeke Ishiagu Ebonyi State. She was the only surviving child of her parents following several early child deaths hence she was named URANWA.”
“Mama is adjudged by many to be very intelligent, however, due to her challenges and humble background, she was not privileged to have acquired a formal education”.
“What she lacked in literacy she however had in abundance in informal education,
as her mother took her through the art of pottery, singing, and dancing, which she
displayed with quite high exuberance”.
“Mama was an embodiment of good character expected of an African woman of her time. Respectful, dutiful, hardworking, devout Christian, Catholic mother of exemplary status and selfless in her endeavors.
“Her dedication and services to humanity earned her several recognitions including the “Ezinne Di Ora Mma” title conferred on her by the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of St. James Catholic Church, Amaze, Ishiagu”.
“As a gifted potter whose unequaled dexterity was simply phenomenal, people traveled from neighboring states to purchase her pots which were usually sold for little or nothing. She was also a highly celebrated singer and dancer of her time which led to her being among the founding members and leader of the famous Idu Dance Group of the Amaeze community”.
“Ezinne Oyiridie Osi lived a selfless community life. She was a point of reference for so many who wished for a peaceful home or a contented woman. She was an achronic and fabulous giver whose generosity was to everyone including those that had maltreated her in one way or the other. For nwanyi china – only God can judge”.
“She was the Head of several women groups during her active life and participated in every major decision for community development by the various women groups she belonged.”
“Mama’s greatest legacy was her integrity which according to her “is better than all the monies in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)”. She was able to prove that being poor does not justify criminality as she believed strongly that prayer, hard work, and patience are just the pathway to prosperity. Mama was able to unite every member of her family while alive as she was often referred to as a unifier”.
“Today, the Ezinne Oyiridie Osi Memorial Estate, Umuogboke stands as a testimony of mama’s goodwill as this was one of her last wishes to ensure that every member of the family is given a befitting accommodation. This is to ensure that no member of the family suffers the kind of humiliation she passed through following the collapse of her mud house in 1984.
“She begged for shelter and moved from place to place for over 25 years with her children without any assistance to alleviate her accommodation challenge. Those nights were for crying and praying while the daytime was for work and more work. She filled the gap as a mother and a father and never gave up on any responsibility to assuage her family’s precarious living condition.”