By Regina Igwebuike
The Amawbia Catholic Community honoured late Ezinne Josephine Nnamah (Oduko na mba, Ochiora), with a posthumous award on May 17, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the growth of the Catholic Women Organisation and the Church.
Ezinne Josephine (Alufuo aku), who hailed from Enugwu-Ukwu, never attended formal school. Yet, according to her daughter, Prof. Chinedu Christie Okoye (née Nnamah), she was divinely endowed with exceptional wisdom, foresight, leadership, and organizational ability. Her deep spiritual foundation, warm interpersonal skills, and compassionate heart made her a natural leader wherever she found herself.
She led women’s groups in Ikot Ekpene, Nkalagu, and Amawbia, setting a foundation for development in every community God placed her. In 1974, she donated the first 10 bags of cement toward the building of St. Charles Catholic Church at the cement factory in Nkalagu. In 1983, she gave the first tipper of sand for the construction of the current Union Secondary School, Amawbia (USSA).
Under her presidency of the Amawbia Catholic Women Organization (CWO), a large underground water reservoir was constructed for the priests at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, and ceiling fans were installed in the church. Her foresight also ensured that the Amawbia CWO acquired two stalls at Eke Oyibo Market, Amawbia.
Determined that her own lack of formal education would not limit her children, she vowed that all her daughters would become professionals before marriage. That vow was fulfilled. Her daughters now excel in health, academics, culinary, and creative arts.
Ezinne Nnamah also left a legacy of wisdom through her sayings, which continue to guide many. Among them were: “Stupidity has no hospital, A child who calls his/her mother a fool is the child of a fool, My money should be under the sun while I am under the shade, Money demands to be counted each time it changes hands.
Others include: “The man who hates his wife curses his heritage, Feed your family well, Nutritious meals chase away sickness. Keep on loving and praying for that child who causes you great pain-one day, he/she will kneel at your feet”.
Commending the Church for recognizing her legacy, Prof. Okoye said, “I commend the church for their eagle eye in fishing out these awardees, including my mother and I pray God to continue blessing His Church.”
The award underscores Ezinne Josephine’s lasting impact on Amawbia and serves as a reminder that wisdom, service, and faith leave a legacy that outlives generations.
Regina is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
