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! 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. A Calm mother of three, the matriarch of a political dynasty, the Ebeano dynasty.
It is quite painful. Her sudden death 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 First Lady has beaten the record she set.
Despite not having penchant for the front seat, 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 Nnamani was an amiable First Lady. The life she lived was monumental. I recall 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 on 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 the 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 American First Lady, who became First Lady at the same age. 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. 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.
As young as she was at that time, she taught fellow mothers to set goals for their children in a world of limitless opportunities. She was an extraordinary woman. Her life and times were alluring, virtues in which we the living shall strive to imbibe.
The essence of life is to fulfil God’s divine promise by assisting the poor and helping the needy, a virtue she advocated and lived up to till her last breath.
We mourn her today because she brought to bare 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.
Nnenna Nnamani brought zest to politics, an attribute continued by her husband, Chimaroke. Even when her health could not allow her to stay back home, she quietly gave her time to the development of her family.
A life worthy of emulation, lived and fulfilled until her death on September 4, 2015 in Florida, United States.
Nnenna Nnamani 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.
Despite a life cu short by sickle cell, Nnenna Nnamani fulfilled her dream of impacting positively on the poor and spending time with children, an attribute which brought her admiration of all in Enugu State.
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 steps to the beats and rhythms have ceased. But the melody lingers. Her smiles is cut across the skies of 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 her loss.
To our brother, uncle, political leader and patriarch of the Ebeano Dynasty, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani: NWANNE MMADU.” I must say this: you have laid solid foundation for infrastructural and human capital development in Enugu State. You have raised an ideal set of politicians who understand the intricacies of governance and politics in Nigeria. In this grieving moment, however, we mourn with you, We will continue to show our solidarity and undying support to your quest to give us a voice in Nigeria.
ONYE IZHI DIBE, CHINEKE N’ NDI MUTARA ANYI AKPOROKO N’ EJIM-WAACHI GBAA GU UME.
Josiah Emezie Nnamani II writes from the Department of History and International Relations, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki and can be reached via josiahnnamani@yahoo.com. 08035520747.