Biography of a truly virtuous daughter of Zion –  Ezinne Elfreda Chizoba Aniebonam

By Prof. Manny C. Aniebonam

Ezinne Elfreda Chizoba Aniebonam fondly known as “Ojemba Maama De maama” was born on 17 November 1930 in Ezi-okwe Ndịkelionwu in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, the only child of her parents. Her parents were late Mr. Okoli Nwajoagu udeoye and Mrs. Onuaku Okoli udeoye (Oji ugo).

Family background/early years 

Shortly after her birth, her parents sent her to live with one of her relatives in Onitsha, a chorister that would then have Maama attend choir rehearsals with them, from where she developed a love for Psalms, Hymns, and Classical music. She then registered with the choir at a tender age, and was from then molded into one of the best choristers of her generation. Handel’s Messiah would later in her life become Maama’s favorite of all music, and she would get transformed into a frenzy of hands and head movement at the sound of Frederick Handel’s Cantata of Hallelujah Chorus.

Her married life & her mission

Maama was married to Mr. Louis Echezona Aniebonam at a tender age of 22. She was a mother of seven children, three girls and four boys, with three of the children now late. She is survived by four children (Gloria, Seraphine, Emmanuel and Michael), 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Maama was a Missionary, earning her the name Ojemba. Over her active years, she visited over fifteen states in Nigeria,  in the cause of her missionary work, and knew every town and village by name, history, people and culture. She was a living encyclopedia, a dictionary of Christian missionary movement in Nigeria, and a delight indeed to learn the impact of Christianity in Igbo land. She was a good gospel preacher, an orator per excellence, an organizer, and a center of attention at every activity she attended. You would often hear her voice from the entrance of any event cheering other women into action to make the event grand and memorable… a pleasant and a wonderful socializer and mixer she was.

Before and During Biafra War

Maama with her husband and children spent their early years  before the war at Ogoja and Abakaliki in Cross river state and Ebonyi state respectively. She was a consummate business woman, always creating new businesses everywhere she lived. At the G.R.A in Abakaliki where she sold fish, they called her “Mama Azu ndu” as they believed that hers was the freshest and the most desirable.  She would continue this business vision  during the war, assuring that the family was always provided for even in the midst the Biafran war misery. 

Active years: Her ministry and business life 
After the war in January 1970, she lived for years with her husband and children in Onitsha,  retiring and relocating  home after the death of her husband, Louis Echezona Aniebonam in October 1995.

At Onitsha, she was a regular and vibrant soprano singer at St Andrews Anglican Church Choir, Odoakpu Onitsha. She was active at St Andrews Onitsha serving actively in many committees, under Revd. M.S.C. Anikwenwa   who would later become His Grace, Most Revd M.S.C. Anikwenwa of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.

Continuing as an ultimate business woman in Onitsha in the 1970s and 80s,  Maama was named “Mama akwukwo Nni”  and  was a major supplier of vegetables and other food produce to Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha.  At Abagana where she continued her good work, she is credited to have brought the plan of St John’s Church, Abagana church building. She was awarded “The Best and Supportive Patroness” in Abagana Archdeaconry. Her undying passion for music endeared her to the choir that she became one of their lifetime patronesses.

Post-retirement years 

Maama’s visit to the United States in 1988 was as dramatic as it was equally exciting. To see the Obodo Oyibo be Ndiocha, where some 10 years before she sent her first son, Emmanuel Chukwunonso Aniebonam, was a joy indeed to behold. She would prefer native food over hamburger and pizza, yet wanted to speak and act like ndi ocha. She loved the sight of winter snow but wouldn’t step out in cold weather. Ka’m nyobie na window, she would delightfully tell us. Like with other grand children by her two daughters, Mrs. Gloria Otuto Ugbe and Mrs. Seraphine Chinwe Nworji, she took special delight in her grand children in the US, seeing that she provided quality omugwo , to her daughter inlaw, Mrs. Daisy Ogochukwu Aniebonam. Being Ojemba even in the USA, knew every street in Silver Spring Maryland and would hold reasonable conversation with neighbors and friends. Highlight of her visit was her eye treatment at the Jewish Specialist Hospital. Bethesda Maryland, with Maama even till last year recalling the names of the doctors, nurses and even another patient she met at one of the visits. Facts and figures were Maama’s hobbies in her 91 years of life. Her brain was as sharp as Albert Einstein’s, and Chike Obi was a dwarf of a mathematician compared to Ojemba Maama. 

Mama’s faith and character

Maama’s faith in God was unrivaled and solid as a rock. She believed in the supreme power of the Almighty to make everything right, at bad times and even in stormy weather of life. You will hear her always say that “ife di, nke n’edu ndi nwayo, tukwasi Chukwu obi”. Till the end of her life, even with limited mobility and sight, she never grew bitter nor complained for one day. Tukwasi Chukwu obi….And that gives all of us hope today that the God she served, believed in, and labored for all her life, has called her home where there is only joy and rest.

We therefore must not mourn like those without hope in the Lord. We are celebrating her today and will forever celebrate this virtuous daughter of Zion. She was loving, kind, faithful, and a true child of God. We will miss her ever pleasant presence, her spontaneous sense of humor, her warm smiles and above all her motherly wisdom. But we also know that heaven has gained a golden voice, and the Cherubs and Seraphs above are today singing with great melody in welcoming a worthy member, to the Glory of God Almighty. Adieus Nne m Oma, Ada Mazi!!!. Your memory will remain in our hearts for ever!!!