By Chinwe Imo-Eze Onwosi
It was celebration of life well spent in Umuogboke Amaeze, Ishiagu, in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. as remains of late Ezinne Rebecca Oyiridie Osi, Mother of the Gosima Group GMD /CEO, Gideon Osi, was laid to rest at the ripe age of Eighty-two years.
The Matriarch of the Osi’s family passed away on February 22nd, 2022 and was committed to mother earth on Friday, 11th Nov 2022 amidst funfair, awards of scholarships and Charity at her Country home memorial estate, in Ebonyi State
The funeral rites was attended by Former President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, and nobles, political and industry titans, including the crème of Nigeria’s high society who thronged to pay their last respects to Ezinne.
Gideon Osi, Despite the pain of remembering the brilliant memories of his mother revealed plans to donate over N50 million Naira raised by friends through different committees formed for the funeral on scholarships and charity in appreciation of the life his mother lived.
He described her saying : “she was a single, entertainer, a dancer, a porter with embodiment of good character who lived a selfless community life. In that art, she taught me how to be honest, how to be sincere and how to work hard because if you are not hardworking, you cannot do the business of pottery, we will transmit it to her grandchildren.
“Her dedication and services to humanity earned her several recognitions including the “Ezinne Di Ora Mma” title conferred on her by the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of St. James Catholic Church, Amaeze, Ishiagu”.
“Ezinne Oyiridie Osi lived a selfless community life. She was a point of reference for so many who wished for a peaceful home or a contented woman. She was an a chronic and fabulous giver whose generosity was to everyone including those that had maltreated her in one way or the other. For nwanyi china – only God can judge”
“Every community has poor people but among the poor people, there are poorest of the poor. We were among those that were called such as even poor people called us poor. We were so poor that we couldn’t afford food but God, through various people, was able to solve that mystery and today, the story is long.
“I was privileged to be granted scholarship by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. The best gift anyone can give you is education. I was among the 200 that were granted scholarship by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. That helped me a great deal to study Medicine and become a Medical Doctor.
Continuing, he said : “Today, I feel much fulfilled watching my mother go home the way she wants it. She always told me that there will be joy when she dies and now, it is exactly the way it is.
“That gift I got from our leader, I really appreciate it and I have decided to be giving it out the same way since I graduated, I have trained 46 people in the university.
“In the course of preparing Mama’s burial, different committees were formed and they started donating money just to support Mama’s funeral and over N50 million Naira have been put together for this event by my friends and associates, clubs and good spirited Nigerians but I know that God has provided what will take Mama’s event to the level that she expected it. So, I discussed with my wife and we decided that all that contribution, we will use it to train the children of the poor.
” we are going to go beyond Ishiagu and beyond Ebonyi. We will commit the entire fund, over N50 million on scholarship in appreciation for Mama’s life. More women will benefit from that scholarship programme, more girls because when you train a woman, the ripple effect is too magnanimous, She will marry a better person, she will walk into a greater environment and she will have the opportunity to turn things around.” Gideon stated.
In his tribute, the former Secretary to the State Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, told the family of the late matriarch to be consoled by her exemplary lifestyle which is worthy of emulation, he noted her various contributions to humanity as a leader and philanthropist.
“Our consolation rests on the fact that Mrs. Rebecca Oyiridie Osi was fulfilled in life and was a great source of inspiration to many”. Anyim said.
Senator Ogba, who maintained that the late matriarch had lived a fulfilled life and left legacies that would stand the test of time, urged the family to be consoled with the memories of her good works.
“Mama no doubt lived a fulfilled life and left many indelible marks on the sand of time. Her wise counsel and affection will be greatly missed by family, the church, and indeed the good people of Amaeze Ishiagu”. Ogba stated.
The Gubernatorial Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii (AnyiChuks) who joined others to pay tribute to the late matriarch, pointed out: “Given her exceptional dedication to Christianity, mobilization, and being a great potter, it is undeniable how much she will further be missed for her honesty, simplicity, and sincerity amongst many other remarkable traits”.
In his sermon at the funeral, former Parish Priest of St. James Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Philemon Okoro described Osi and his late mum as hope of poor.
He disclosed that Osi has built 10 more new houses for the homeless in support of his mother’s advice when she was alive to always help the poor as she would not want people around him to pass through what they suffered.
Highlights of the event were special performances by Nollywood actor, Zuby Micheal, artist, Faze and cultural displays and side attractions.
