NUJ, NAWOJ, Ministry of Information Anambra State Mourn as late member is laid to rest
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Chapter, Ministry of Information Anambra state, and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) have paid their last respect to one of their members, the late Mrs. Ngozi Iwunze, who was laid to rest at Okija, Ihiala LGA.
By Chidimma Okoye
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Chapter, Ministry of Information Anambra state, and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) have paid their last respect to one of their members, the late Mrs. Ngozi Iwunze, who was laid to rest at Okija, Ihiala LGA.
She passed away in November last year.
While with the sermon, the clergy men, Rev. Fr. Andrew Okolo of the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Okija and his counterpart at the St. Augustine Catholic Church, Nkpor, Rev. Fr. Celestine Aniofor urged those present to be conscious of death in all their dealings in life so as to ensure that they would leave a remarkable footprint at the end of their earthly journey.
Monsignor Theophilus Odukwe of the St. Charles Luwanga Catholic Parish Okpoko also described the deceased as a noiseless, humble person likened unto Mary and Jesus Christ in character.
He said that she is very industrious and put in all her efforts in making sure that her family was well provided for.
The Chairman of the Anambra State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu in his condolence speech described the death of Mrs. Iwunza as an irreparable loss to the NUJ, her family, the Church, and to the society at large coupled with the fact that she died at an untimely age of 53.
He also called her death a wake up call to everybody in the society to go for timely routine checks at the hospital to prevent diseases and also to ensure early detection of ailments like Hepatitis B and C in other to save their lives.
Odogwu prayed God to give her family the grace to bear the loss.
Comrade Uche Kalu, who spoke unbehalf of NAWOJ Anambra State Chapter, said that Late Mrs. Ngozi Iwunze was always present and participated in the associations activities, stating that she will be missed for her doggedness.
Dr. Stanley Onunkwor, the Information Chapel Chairman of NUJ and Hon. Kennedy Anaedozie, the Chairman of Welfare Association of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State described Late Mrs. Iwunze as a vibrant lady, a very good journalistic reporter whose death is a big blow to the Ministry.
They however prayed for the repose of her soul.
The Chairperson of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of Sacred Heart Parish Ogbenabo Okija, Mrs. Nkechi Ojiewuru in her testimony said that the deceased was a calm woman whose simplicity and down to earth life style made it difficult for people to quantify her academic qualifications or literal exposure.
She said that her seriousness in the things of God brought many clergy men to her burial ceremony.
Mrs. Ojiewuru said that she was always seen with her rosary praying in every situation.
Mrs. Chinwe Okpara, a member of CWO of St. Augustine Parish Nkpor testified that the Late Mrs. Iwunze was a devoted Christian who does not miss Church masses.
She said that her absence in church was noticed immediately because she had a particular seat she occupied most of the time during Church services.
She earnestly prayed that the son of the deceased will emulate his late mother’s closeness to God and devotion to the Church.
The CWO of both St. Augustine Parish Nkpor and Sacred Heart Parish Okija were on ground at the funeral, so were the village women association of the town.
