It was an outpouring of emotions at the St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State during the final burial service for Lady Chinyelu Ezeaku, the mother of the Publisher of New National Star newspaper, Ogochukwu Ezeaku. The church was filled to capacity and the service was attended by prominent personalities, including the Anambra State Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, the Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger, and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, priests, political office holders, friends and families, among others who came to pay their last respects to the late Lady Chinyelu Ezeaku.
Also present were the management team and staff of the New National Star newspaper. Delivering his homily, Archbishop Ibezim extolled Lady Ezeaku for impacting meaningfully in the lives of Christians and her contributions to the expansion of the Anglican Church in Anambra State.
Archbishop Ibezim reminded Christians that death is inevitable, urging them to play roles that would attract souls to God. He stressed the need to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness as a way to attain the kingdom of God. “Lady Chinyelu Ezeaku was a dedicated woman who touched several lives while on earth. She was at the forefront of promoting unity and peace among her friends. She was a prayerful woman who through her lifestyle raised a wonderful family for God. “Death doesn’t discriminate. No one knows when death will come, but always be ready at all times. At the appointed time, no matter your position or political height, there will be no security men around you. “No exercise of political power, no manipulation of results or judgement; you will stand alone to give account of your stewardship. Let me remind us that our activities in life are recorded. As a wife, husband, child, no matter your position, your activities are recorded, either in the book of life or death. “This is a call for repentance. The worst death is the second death.
The first is the physical death, while the other is eternal damnation. “Don’t live your life as if you are the owner, but rather remember there is life after death. Always think about the day you will die and amend your ways,” the archbishop reminded the congregation. The archbishop used the opportunity to thank God for the successful conduct of the Anambra State governorship election and prayed that the incoming administration would have a successful reign. In their separate reactions, friends of Sir Ogochukwu Ezeaku, who came to sympathize with the grieving family, urged them to take solace in God. One of the friends, Edochie Mmadu, described the late Lady Ezeaku as a good mother and woman of substance, who contributed to the growth of the Anglican Church. “If you look at the Anglican Church in this community, you will appreciate what she has done. So I urge the children to emulate her good works, especially on community leadership,” he admonished.