All is now set for the burial of the late Nneoma Catherine Mbakwe, fondly called Ada Zion.
A devout Christian of the Catholic faith, businesswoman, philanthropist and community leader, the late Mrs Mbakwe died on July 21st 2024, aged 82.
The Mbakwe family of Umuagbo, Umukegwu Akokwa in Ideato North local government area of Imo state said their late matriarch while alive diligently served God and humanity. According to them, she lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation.
Born in 1942 to the family of the late Chief Richard and Late Mrs Marceline Igwe of Umuduru, Osina town in Ideato North Local Government Area Imo State, the late Mrs Mbakwe attended St. Mary’s Primary School, Osina, where she did her Standard Six .
She later gained admission into Urualla Girls Secondary School, Urualla, Ideato North LGA In 1961, the same year she met her late husband,Chief (Sir) Augustine Okoli Mbakwe (KSJI). The fruitful marriage was later blessed with ten (10) children: six girls and four boys. Her children gave her 41 grand-children and 17 great grand-children.
A programme of events for the late Mrs Mbakwe’s burial rites signed by her first son, Engineer Okey Mbakwe indicates there will be a requiem mass in her honour at the Blessed Michael Tansi Chapel at World Bank Housing Estate, Aba on Thursday, October 31st.
On Friday, November 8, 2024, the late Mrs Mbakwe’s remains will leave Mater Amabilis Mortuary, Akokwa for her late husband’s residence for lying in state. This will be followed by a funeral mass at St Aloysius Catholic Umukegwu and internment at her husband’s country home.
Reception for guests follows at the same venue while condolence visits are scheduled for Saturday, the 9th of November.
Thanksgiving mass in her honour comes up on Sunday, 10th November at St. Aloysious, Umukegwu.
Among other relations too numerous to mention, the late Mrs Mbakwe is survived by: Engr Okey Mbakwe, Barr Mrs Rose Duru (Nne Mbakwe), Dr Mrs Amara Ofoedu (Nee Mbakwe), Mrs Nkeiru Mbakwe (Nee Mbakwe), Chief Chinedu Mbakwe (Nnanyereugo) (MD/CEO, MABTEC Telecom Ltd) (Nnanyereugo), Dr Mrs Chioma Ojukwu (Nee Mbakwe), Mr Obinna Mbakwe and inlaws including Owelle Chukwudi Ofoedu,KSJI, Chief Ifeanyi Emenuga and Chief Peter Ojukwu among other inlaws.