By Josiah Emezie Nnamani II
O!! that in the Grave you would conceal me, that you would hide me until your anger passes by, that you would set a time limit for me and remember me! If a man dies, can he live again? , I will wait all the days of my compulsory service Until my relief comes, you will call, and I will answer you, You will long for the work of your hands.–JOB 14:13-15.
Her Excellency Nnenna Agnes Nnamani, was a former first lady of Enugu state, whose, love for children and the less privileged knew no bound. She was a calm mother of three, the matriarch of a political dynasty, “Ebeano dynasty”.
It is quite painful, her sudden death at 47, came at a time we needed her calm and intelligent disposition in our dear state, the quintessential virtue which she displayed while she held sway as the first lady of Enugu state speaks volume of this jewel of inestimable value, No successive first lady has beaten the record she set.
Despite not having penchant for public life, she cherished the ideal of a peaceful and free society, she hoped for a rancour free Enugu state, where tolerance is sustained and this was evidenced in her activities as the first lady.
Late Mrs Nnenna Agnes Nnamani was an amiable first lady, the life she lived was monumental, I recalled, that as a young boy,I watched her on that day May 29,1999, when history beckoned on her to step in as Enugu state first lady. Her simplicity was admired, the endearing smiles she displayed became beaming and charming in the television, it was something natural which changed the attitude of women folks in Enugu state.
History beckoned, Nnenna Nnamani, answered. She obeyed a clarion call to service of her fatherland, she served briefly and faithfully, she brought the American style of simplicity to bear in Enugu state as first Lady. She taught the people that yes, elections can be won, but the truest test of victory is pragmatic leadership and service delivery to the people.
At a young age of 31, she became first lady, thereby sharing history with Jacqueline Kennedy a former America’s first lady who became first lady at same age of 31 in 1960.
Nnenna displayed similar virtue as Mrs Kennedy, when she preferred spending time with her children than the ecstasy and the ovations, associated with public life, she cherished her husband, Chimaroke Nnamani, a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nnenna remained a faithful wife till death.
Nnenna gave birth to a dynasty, she planted a tree, which has sprouted and in time will grow as she never imagined. She has an uncanny savvy, a perfect example of motherhood.
The essence of life is to fulfil God’s divine promise, thereby assisting the poor and helping the needy, a virtue she advocated and lived up to, till her last breathe.
We mourn her, today, because she brought to bear her impeccability in the politics of Enugu state, She was a believer that politics can be played without bitterness and brought her distinctive appeal that elections could be won, without rigging and violence.
She was not just a daughter of the Legendary “OHAOFIA” community, but a wife who quietly married the man she loved, and ensured, he fulfilled his campaign promises to the people of Enugu state.
She led a life worthy of emulation. She died on September 4, 2015 in Orlando Florida United States. Nnenna was a sickle cell patient as first lady, yet she impacted positively on the lives of many, she fought sickle cell, with her whole strength, it was not her wish to let it defeat her.
The pain of her death, is a scar which will live in our hearts until the plight of numerous sickle cell patient’s are taken into cognizance by the World Health Organization.
Painfully, the great Ohaofia war drum, Nkanu’s Okanga and Igede song conjoined is ended, her dance step to the beats and rhythms have seized, but the melody lingers.
Her smiles in serene is cut across the Skies of Orlando Florida United states and here at Oji-Agu Agbani in Enugu State where her remains would be interred thus:
“When he shall die take him and cut him out into stars and he shall make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun.” –Shakespeare.
Goodbye Our dear Wife, Ada Ohaofia, the Ebeano Matriarch, May your Gentle Soul rest in Peace Amen.
To the entire “Agbani community”, and immediate Nwankwo Nnamani family, her husband and children, I must extend my deepest condolence to you, Understanding, the virtues of Her Excellency, Nnenna Nnamani, I pray that God will give you the fortitude to bear the loss.
“ONYE IZHI DIBE, CHINEKE N’ NDI MUTARA ANYI, AKPOROKO N’ EJIM-WAACHI KAASHIE GU OBU”.
Nnamani II wrote from the Department of History and International Relations, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. Email: [email protected]. 08035520747. Twitter: @meezynnamani.
