Dr. Gabriel Abanum, MD, Gabson Family Hospital, Kwale, buried mother in style
The Environment was serine and full of jubilation as Dr. Gabriel Abanum, The Ozondu Osa of Amai Kingdom bid fare well to his 113 Years old Mother.
In a charismatic presentation Dr. Abanum who took his mother in his mother since 1995 and took good care of her till she turned 113 years. Dr. Abanum Gabriel presented a special eulogy for his late mother, the Ada (oldest woman) of Amai Nge . He ended it with a poem:
EULOGY FOR MY BLESSED MOTHER- MRS ABANUM MARIA
MGBORNADI AGED ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN YEARS (113 YEARS)
Today we gather to honour, and say goodbye to my beloved mother, Mrs Abanum Ngbonadi Maria, the ADA of Amai Nge. Taking the words of Winston Churchill, ‘’We make a living by what we get, and make a life by what we give’’ If this is true, then my mother must have lived a very useful life because indeed she gave her all. My blessed and beloved late mother was born in the year1911 to the family of Chief Obi Richard and Mrs Obi Amuchiwenwa both in Amai Kingdom, Ukwauni Local Government Area. My mother grew up in a small house with her mother at the end of Alumaka street in Amainge, shearing common neighbours with Late Chief Inalu and his wives, Mrs Ozege Onyia and a host of others. At the time of her birth, western education was not available within the community and its environs and sending the girl child to school was considered a waste of investment. Her situation was worsened by the untimely death of her father. My mother’s relationship with Dad hit a brick wall after my birth. After the death of her mother in 1965, she remarried to late Chief Okpotu Egba of Umubu in Amai. This development marked a watershed in the history of our life because we had to migrate to Umubu where we spent over thirty -two years before returning home to Amai Nge.
Prior to leaving Amai Nge for Umubu, she was an artistic dancer and member of the OPONDA and ADUKOR dancing troupes. She was very social and outgoing and showed this by belonging to some important meetings in Umubu. These meetings usually engaged Musicians such as S.N.D. Opia and Charles Iwegbue and his Hino Dance band during the annual Ezemu and Ikenge festivals. Mum also enjoyed traditional melodies such as by Rogana Ottah, King Love A. U Ubulu, Franco Lee Ezuteh and his Harmony dance band. Mum was a resourceful farmer and a petty trader. She taught me through the way she lived, the importance of sheer perseverance and hard work. My success story cannot be complete without her unwavering support. Her unparalled commitment to my western education propelled me throughout my educational pursuit, even after the loss of my father on the 21st of February 1985, few weeks to my JAMB examination.
The death of my father neither deterred me nor my mother from continuing my studies because mum was always there for me both in thick and thin. She was resilient, unyielding, and above all, a confidence builder. Mum celebrated me lavishly on returning from the University of Benin with a doctor attached to my name. It was one of her happiest moments.
Mum lived with my family from 1995 till her passing in November 2024. She exuded love to the home, telling the children stories about the tortoise and past inter communal wars. Indeed, she lived a life worthy of emulation.
In the year 2020, she was inducted into the hall of fame of the ADA title, being the oldest woman in Amai Nge, the leadership position she held till her demise. She was a strong woman who never suffered no illness except those related to old age such as vision and hearing impairment.
After a well lived life mama took her last breath on the 12th day of November 2024.
In attendance were the cream of personalities from all works of life including Nigeria Medication Association, Kwale/Ozoro Unit, High profile Circle of Friends Social Club of Nigeria, Chief Dr. Kennedy Aninze, Medical Director , Donak Hospital, Kwale, Dr. Kester Egwuanumkwu, Elder Deacon Anthony Oteh-President of Circle of Friends Club, Sir Cyprian Eboagu,KSJI, Knights and members of Christ Anglican Church, Kwale, Engr Emma Adeshina, Mr. Duruike, Chief Joseph Ikuni, High Chief Ajie Etor, Felix Ojie, and others
A PEOM FOR MY MOTHER …… I AM FREE
Please do not grieve for me for now because I am free. I am following the path God has laid down for me. I took his hands when I heard his call. I turned my back to you because I could not stay for another day. Tasks left undone must stay that way. If you find that my absence has created a vacuum, then fill it with remembered joy. We shared so many things in common such as friendship, laugh, kiss, love while I was with you, these things I will also miss. Be not bothered of time of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life has been full. I savored much; good friends, good times. Perhaps, my time seems also too brief, but do not lengthen it with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He has set me FREE.
By Chief Dr. Sir Gabriel Abanum
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