The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Abia Central Senatorial zone in 2023 general elections, Col Austin Akobundu rtd, was on Friday, August 12,2022 commiserated with the family of late Chief Boniface Ukawoko that buried its matriarch, Ezinne Lolo Nwanyidiya Christiana Ukawoko at her country home, Umumba Nsirimo in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State.
The burial ceremony turned out to be a gathering of eminent personalities, captains of industries, reputed political class of all shades etc as the PDP Abia Central Senatorial hopeful displayed his usual hospitality to the bereaved family.
Amongst those that graced the event were the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, and candidate of PDP for Ikwuano, Umuahhia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Chinedum Orji, PDP governorship candidate for Abia State, Professor Uchenna Ikonne, Director General, Austin Akobundu Campaign Council, Pastor Emeka Inyama, Commissioner for Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon Obinna Okey amongst many other dignitaries.
The former Minister of Defence State in his condolence speech asked the bereaved family to bear the loss with fortitude, pointing out that Mama Ukawoko was a lovable woman who served God and mankind with love, kindness and mercy.
Speaker Orji described the woman as a mother of all who trained her children in the ways of the Lord and noted that the best way to immortalize her is to keep and uphold her good virtues now that she is gone.
Prof Ikonne asked the Ukawoko family to emulate their mother’s sterling nature that attracted people from far and wide to the family, counseling that the oneness which their matriarch lived and died for should not be abandoned.
Earlier, at a funeral mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Umumba, Nsirimo, Umuahia South, the first son of the deceased and onetime Transition Committee Chairman, Umuahia South, Barr Randie Ukawoko told the congregation that “Mama was a devout Catholic who loved God and His ways to the hilt”.
Aged 98, late Ezinne Lolo Nwanyidiya Christiana Ukawoko was a well known community leader and philanthropist. She is survived by 10 children, an aged sister and many relations.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
