On Thursday the 18th of May 2023, all roads to Umuoparaizi, Umunkwo, Isiala Mbano LGA, Imo State could not see any space as people from all works of life were trooping to the village to pay their last respect to the departed heroine Mrs. Louisa Lemchi Ogbuji Nee Egeonu (AKA The Right Woman).
The vigil mass which was celebrated on the eve of Thursday 18th May by the Parish Vicar Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Onuoha preceeded the spiritual (burial) Mass the next day
Before the wake keep commenced, buses carrying people from the famous Ariaria market Aba where her two sons Chinaka and Kemjika Ogbuji source their daily bread were seen in their numbers, followed by many private vehicles from the same Ariaria. People from Ngwa Road Market Aba known as New Market or Ahia Ohuru where his first son Pastor Uchechukwu Ogbuji stays were also seen in their numbers. The numerous friends of popular Evangelist Anayo Ogbuji (AKA Trumpeters) were uncountable.
Also present at the village were friends of his third son Pastor John Ogbuji who came all the way from Rivers State. Friends of his last son Chidindu Ogbuji and the friends of her only surviving daughter Mrs. Patricia Ejieke Nee Ogbuji who came from far away Lagos state to grace the occasion also filled the arena.
The in-laws from Amaraku, Umuopara Ugiri, Umudim in Ikeduru, Mbaise, Isu were all present to pay their last homage to the fallen heroine. Also present were people from Okwelle where the first daughter Mrs. Patricia Ejieke married to and people from Mbaise where the late daughter Mrs. Chikodi Mark married to.
The wake keep was declared open with four canon shots that shook the earth. Live band, DJ Samzee and cultural dance troupe from Okwelle were there to entertain the guests.
On Friday 19th morning, two ambulances leading a motorcade were seen conveying the remains of the right woman to her husband’s home. Shortly after lying in state and viewing of the corpse, remains was taken to the St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish Church Umunkwo, Mbama for high requiem mass officiated by Monsignor Cyricus Uzoma, Rev Fr. Marcel Nwoda and Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Onuoha. As the body was being moved to church, her only surviving daughter Mrs. Patricia Ejieke (Nee Ogbuji) was seen carrying her mother’s picture, flanked by Mama’s second son Evangelist Anayo Ogbuji and Mama’s granddaughter Miss Divine Uche Ogbuji carrying two beautiful flowers to honour the right woman.
The requiem mass commenced at about 11am with opening prayer by Monsignor Cyriacus Uzoma, the first bible reading taken from the book of Wisdom 3:1-9 was read by the second son Evangelist Anayo Ogbuji and the Gospel by Rev. Fr. Marcel Nwoda. In his sermon, the Rev. Fr. Nwoda stressed on the importance of righteousness and its benefits while alive and after death. He described Mrs. Louisa Lemchi Ogbuji as a woman who feared God in her life time, who used her resources to serve God. He also described her as a philanthropist who impacted lives. In his speech, the Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Onuoha commended the children of Mrs. Louisa Ogbuji for their cordial relationship with the Catholic Church. He stressed that though most of them were non Catholics, they participated in every activities of the church. He pointed out that they were in the funeral mass very early contrary to what some Catholics do during funeral mass. He charged everybody to emulate the children of The Right Woman.
In appreciation, the first son of the family Pastor Uchechukwu Ogbuji thanked all the people that honoured the burial of his mother. He, on behalf of the family made a donation of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100, 000.00) to support the work of God in the church.
After the mass her body was taken to the graveside for burial, where her children and grandchildren rendered three mesmerizing songs that made people tag the burial, a carnival.
The family is very grateful to God who has been with them from the beginning to the end of the burial ceremony. Mrs. Louisa Lemchi Ogbuji AKA The Right Woman was honoured by God in a special way. Two outstanding miracles on that day were a heavy downpour in the neighbouring villages and some part of the village but did not rain in her compound. Seconded by the sudden appearance of rainbow to the great delight of those who observed it. To God be the glory.
May her gentle soul continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen.
