Late Esther Ajare Goes Home in Glory
By Chuks Ofurum (Owerri)
The Hearse conveying the remains of late Ezinne Esther Ajare arriving the Ajare family compound at Oforola, Owerri West Local Council of Imo State
It was a moment of glitz, pomp and pageantry when the sleepy town of Oforola in Owerri West LGA, Imo State came alive on Thursday, December 23, 2021, during the burial of late Mama Esther Tobechi Ajare. For the Umueriem Amaku Oforola people, it was a mixture of grief and accolade as they poured encomiums on the late Esther Ajare. The carnival-like procession, started from the Aladinma Mortuary, Owerri, through the major streets of the State capital with escort riders leading the horse-drawn beautiful casket that contained the remains of a virtuous woman, for whom many admirers could not hold their tears.
A detachment of men on mounted Horse pulling the hearse carrying the remains of Late Esther Ajare
But the outpouring of emotions and tributes began in a Sermon conducted by Rev. Canon Dr. Chidiebube Ahara, Vicar, Christ Anglican Church Oforola. In his homily, the charismatic clergy, in a message entitled “Tomorrow may be too late,” encouraged worshippers to live their lives for today as tomorrow may be too late. Taking his message from the Book of Revelations 7:9-17, and Luke 19:8-9, Rev. Ahara admonished those present to give their lives to Jesus Christ as according to him, it is the only way to avoid the impending catastrophe that will befell the entire world.
A cross section of officiating priests at the church service for the repose of the soul of late Ezinne Esther Ajare at the Anglican Church, Oforola, Owerri West Local Council of Imo State
He described late Mama Esther Tobechi Ajare as a virtuous woman who lived her life for Christ and encouraged her children to be strong Christians. Further pouring encomiums on the deceased, Rev. Ahara extolled her sterling qualities in mobilising the women of Oforola and in particular the women of Christ Anglican Church saying even in a moment of difficulties, late Esther did not shy away from her Church commitments.
Front row: First from right, Chief S. O. S. Echendu, his wife and others at the funeral service.
But to Mrs. Judith Ejiofor, an indigene of Oforola, Mama Esther was an epitome of what every mother should be. Mrs. Ejiofor, who said that she had known the late Esther for nearly forty years, described her further as a mother who sacrificed all her belongings to make sure women especially widows in the community were taken care of.
In his own remark, Chief Basil Ajare, the eldest man in the Ajare family described the death of Mama Esther as a great loss which would be too difficult to fill. He further regretted that late Esther died not long after her husband was buried saying as the eldest in the family, he has a Herculean task to bring the children together. In a tribute to his mother, the first son, Hon. Engr. Chidi Ajare described his mother’s death as painful but gave glory to God for a life well lived. According to Engr. Ajare, his mother, apart from being a virtuous woman and a caring mother, was a devoted wife who encouraged her children to see life as simple and the grace of God. Being emotional, Engr. Ajare said the loss of both parents at a crucial stage of their lives is too hard for them to bear.
Rev Canon (Dr) Chidiebube Ahara, Vicar, Christ Anglican Church Oforola, praying for the family of late Ezinne Esther Ajare during the burial Service.
On what he will remember his mother for, Engr. Ajare said his mother taught him to take life easy, do the best he can do and leave the rest for God. His words: “The death of my mother is very painful. We buried our father on July 2021, (this year) and had hoped Mama will stay longer to nurture and advice us as she had been doing. All of us will sorely miss her. She is always calm, patient and enduring. My mother made me to understand that wealth that did not come from God will not last. She encouraged us to pursue wealth that will not add any sorrow to us. And we have been following her advice. I love my mother and I will miss her greatly.” In an emotion-laden tribute, Engr. Chidi Ajare wrote: “A mother, teacher, an advisor, very supportive, caring, prayerful and fighting for those you love. You were a mother that her children ran to anytime of the day even while you still took care of us giving thanks to God by saying “Chineke Imela”.
The Choir of Christ Anglican Church Oforola, performing during the burial Service of Late Ezinne Esther Ajare
In her own tribute, Mama’s eldest daughter, Mrs. Nnenna Okereke, nee Ajare wrote this of her mother: “You were such a loving and caring mum to say the least. You taught us how to love and the right way to live. You were so industrious and hard-working that you took so many menial jobs to help out Daddy and make ends meet. Your love for God and the things of God cannot be overemphasized. You led us all to Christ and showed us the way of truth.
“You always tried to foster peace with everyone against all odds, people around you could testify to this. No wonder you were loved by all and was called a good woman,” Mrs. Okereke wrote.
In his tribute, Mr. Felix Echendu, on behalf of Echendu family described late Esther Ajare as “the very essence of kindness, or duty, of bravura, of beauty,” saying she grew up with humility and natural nobility-revered by her peers and venerated by all. According to Mr. Echendu, late Mama Esther was a child of destiny who believed that destiny is truly about one’s character saying Mama Esther used her destiny wisely.”
The Echendu family of Obizi, Mbaise, the maiden home of Late Ezinne Esther Ajare, paying their last respects to their sister at Oforola, Owerri West Local Council of Imo State
Late Esther Tobechi Ajare was born in October 1951 in Argungu town of Kebbi State to the family of Mazi Humphrey and Ezinne Grace Echendu of Obizi Mbaise. She got married to late Chief Nathan Ajare in 1975 and the marriage was blessed with six children among whom are, Hon. Engr. Chidi Ajare, Mrs. Nnenna Chiewe Okereke, Mrs. Amarachi Anyanwu, Engr. David Ndudi Ajare, Miss. Iheanyi Ajare and Mr. Arinze Ajare.
As the family peace broker, the point-guard, intercessor and arbitrator goes home, we pray that God Almighty grant her eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
