Ifeatu (Lady)
LIFE & TIMES of a MATRIARCH
84 YEARS
1934 - 2018
Ifeatu (Lady)
Irene
Nkechinyelu
CHIKELU Nne Okwukwe
ORDER OF SERVICE | BIOGRAPHY | PHOTO GALLERY |TRIBUTES
DIOCESE OF LAGOS (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
OUR SAVIOUR's CHURCH, TAFAWA BALEWA SOUARE, LAGOS
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR
LATE LADY. IRENE NKECHINYERE CHIKELU on WEDNESDAY, 30TH MAY, 2018 @ 5 p.m. Venue: HARBOUR POINT, 4 WILMOT POINT ROAD, OFF AHMADU BELLO WAY, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS.
Mr. Kolawole Fatoba Asst. Organist
Mr. Christian Ubani Asst. Organist
Mr. Wale Adesola Asst. Organist
Mr Theophilus Okang Director of Music/Organist
Mr. Raphael M. Ezeudu People's Warden
Bldr. Felix Fadamiro Vicar's Warden
The Revd Silas Okoh, The Revd Charles Ezeh, The Revd Canon Taiwo Awosika, The Revd Canon Akpoghene Okoro, The Ven. F. OreOluwa Agbelusi, The Ven. Dr. Festus O. Ajayi, The Ven. Tunde Oduwole & The Ven. Obinna Ulogwara Curates The Ven. Julius Oyeturide Oyediran, B.A (Hons) M.A, M.P.P, Dip.Th Vicar& Archdeacon of Ikoyi , The Most Revd. Dr. E. Adebola Ademowo, OON, FNAL, Ph.D Diocesan Bishop of Lagos & Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
PROGRAMME WEDNESDAY, 30TH MAY, 2018.
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Opening Hymn: O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Opening Prayer & The Lord's Prayer Psalm 90 Hymn: I know that my redeemer lives 1st Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 Prayer for the Church Hymn: Rock of Ages, cle for me 2 Scripture Reading: Romans 8: 31b-39 – Ifeatu (Lady.)
Irene
NKECHINYELU
CHIKELU
Prayer for the Nation
Nne Okwukwe
Hymn: Sometimes a light surprises —
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3rd Scripture Reading: I Thess. 4; 13-18 – Testimonies Hymn: I am a stranger here — 4th Scripture Reading: John 14: 1-6 Exhortation Prayer for the family Vote of Thanks Notices Closing Hymn: Abide with me fast falls the eventide Prayer and Benediction
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1. OPENING HYMN:
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder 1.
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the *worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the *rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed: Refrain Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art!
2.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees, When I look down from lo y mountain grandeur, And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze: Refrain
3.
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin. Refrain
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When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then *1 shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art! Refrain
2. OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD'S PRAYER 3. PSALM 90 1.
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth 3. You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.” 4. For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Life & Times
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5. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning— 6. Though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. 7. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. 8. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. 10. The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. 11. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. 12. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 13. Relent, 0 LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. 14. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. 16. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendour to their children. 17. May the favour of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands.
4. HYMN:
I know that my Redeemer lives
1.
I know that my Redeemer lives What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, He lives, Who once was dead He lives, my everlasting Head.
2.
He lives, triumphant from the grave He lives, eternally to save, He lives, all glorious in the sky, He lives, exalted there on high. He lives, my everlasting Head.
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He lives within my heart to dwell And save me from the power of hell; To comfort me whene'er I faint, And soothe my heaviest complaint.
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He lives my mansion to prepare; And He will bring me safely there; He lives, all glory to His Name! Jesus unchangeably the same! Amen.
!
I KNOW THAT
MY REDEEMER
He lives to bless me with His love, And still He pleads for me above: He lives to raise me from the grave, And me eternally to save.
LIVES
4. SCRIPTURE READING: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 -
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to 6 refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; Ta time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, 8 and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and
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a time for peace, What gain have the workers from 10 their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy 11 with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot ďŹ nd out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they 13 live; moreover, it is God's gi that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. 14 1 know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this,
so that all should stand in awe before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.
Reader: This is the Word of God. All: Thanks be to God
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6. PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH 7. HYMN:
Rock of Ages, cle for me
1.
Rock of Ages, cle for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.
2.
Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law's commands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone.
3.
Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross l cling; naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.
4.
While l draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cle for me, let me hide myself in thee.
8. 2ND SCRIPTURE READING: Romans 8: 31b-39 –
If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies, 34 Who is to condemn? lt is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or 36 sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are Life & Times
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more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For l am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reader: This is the Word of God. All: Thanks be to God
9. PRAYER FOR THE NATION 10. HYMN:
Sometimes a light surprises
1.
2.
Sometimes a Light surprises The Christian while she sings: It is the Lord who rises With healing in His wings; When comforts are declining, He grants her Soul again A season of clear shining To cheer it a er rain.
3.
In Holy contemplation We sweetly then pursue The theme of God's salvation, And find it ever new; Set free from present sorrow, We cheerfully can say, E'en let the unknown morrow Bring with it what it may.
4.
lt can bring with it nothing But he will bear us through; Who gives the Lilies clothing Will clothe His People too: Beneath the spreading Heavens No creature but is fed; And He who feeds the Ravens Will give His Children Bread.
Though vine no fig-tree neither Their wonted fruits should bear Though all the fields should wither, Nor flocks nor herds be there; Yet God the same abiding, His Praise Shall tune my voice; For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.
11. 3RD SCRIPTURE READING: I Thessalonians 4: 13-18 13
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do 14 who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. 15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are le until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died.
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For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. "Then we who are alive, who are le , will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. “Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Reader: This is the Word of God. All: Thanks be to God.
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12. TESTIMONIES 13. HYMN:
I am a stranger here
1. I am a stranger here, Heaven is my Home, Earth is a desert drear, Heaven is my Home; Danger and sorrow stand Round me on every hand; Heaven is my Fatherland, Heaven is my Home.
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3.
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What though the tempest rage, Heaven is my Home; Short is my pilgrimage, Heaven is my Home; And time's wild wintry blast, Soon will be overpassed; I shall reach Home at last, Heaven is my Home.
There is my Saviour's sideHeaven is my Home – I shall be glorified, Heaven is my Home; There are the good and blest, Those I love most and best, And there I too shall rest, Heaven is my Home.
Therefore I murmur not, Heaven is my Home; Whate'er my earthly lot, Heaven is my Home; And I shall surely stand There at my Lord's right Hand; Heaven is my Fatherland, Heaven is my Home. Amen.
14. 4TH SCRIPTURE READING: John 14: 1-6
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for 3 you? [b] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 'And you know the way to the place where I am going.”[c] 5Thomas said
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to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
15. EXHORTATION: 16. PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY 17. VOTE OF THANKS 18. NOTICES
19. CLOSING HYMN:
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide
1.
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts ee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
2.
Swi to its close ebbs out life's little day; earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away; change and decay in all around I see; O thou who changest not, abide with me.
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4.
I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness. Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if thou abide with me.
5.
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes; shine through the gloom and point me to the skies. Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows ee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
I need thy presence every passing hour. What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power? Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
20. PRAYER & BENEDICTION
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LIFE & TIMES of our MATRIARCH
I
featu Irene Nkechiyelu Chikelu, fondly called “Morr-mee� (Mummy) th by her children and family members was born on 12 February, 1934 into the Ihuoshi family of Umuagu village, Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Her father Mr. Samuel Okpala was a retired church teacher, and later an elected Councillor of his ward at Umuagu. Her mother Agnes Okpala, Nee Okafor, was from the Ogozie Okafor family in Ifite-Dunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State. When her father Samuel passed on, the mantle fell on Agnes to raise her two biological children Christy and Irene as well as other non-biological children. She settled in the ancient town of Onitsha and discharged her duty to her children meritoriously seeing them through their education and inculcating in them sound moral principles as well as the Christian faith. Ifeatu (Lady.)
Irene NKECHINYELU
CHIKELU
Nne Okwukwe
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Irene was a paragon of beauty in her youthful years and had many suitors whom she turned down, with the excuse that she was not yet ready for marriage. She preferred to further her education as she was convinced that 'Knowledge Is Power'. With her sister Christy, (who later married Mr. Daniel Anyachebelu of Urualor family, Amaeze, Oraukwu town in Anambra state), Irene got the best education in teaching which was among the most popular careers for women at the time. She attended St. Monica's Teachers Training College, Ogbunike in Anambra State, where she qualified as a teacher. “Morr-mee's� doggedness and strength of character made her focused and determined to excel in her chosen career. She was outstanding amongst her peers throughout her early career. Her First employment was at the Anglican Girls School Onitsha where she quickly distinguished herself and earned commendation. She remained committed to her career. At the appointed time, Gilbert Prince Obiajulu Chikelu, a Commonwealth Scholar from Umuolikaeze clan, Ihe village, Ichida, came to seek her hand in marriage and she accepted him.
They fell in love and got married at Christ Church, Lancaster Gate, London, United Kingdom on 7th April 1962. The Marriage was conducted by Rev. Cyprian Bridge. The bestman at the wedding was Professor. Gaius Ezejiofor while the chief bridesmaid was Miss. Esther Oraka. The marriage is blessed with four children namely;
SONIA EBELE, ANGELA UCHE, CHUKWUEMEKA & CHINWE GLORIA Life & Times
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Arising from “Morr-mee's” belief that 'Knowledge Is Power, the children received the best education and excelled in their various fields of endeavour. Irene loved, cherished and adored her husband. She stood by him from their days together in London, return to Lagos, the retreat to Eastern Nigeria during the civil war and during his long and outstanding career in the Federal Civil Service. At the same time, she did not give less to the children, whom she showed unconditional love, care, spiritual guidance and where necessary admonishing and weilding her “tools of elementary discipline”. The home revolved around her. With her husband, they nurtured very strong family bonds that endure till today. “Morr-mee” had very strong family instincts. She loved her family in Nnobi, as well as her family at Ifite-Duru, where her mother Agnes came from. To her sister Christy Anyachebelu and the entire Anyachebelu family, she had great love. They were inseparable. She was very close to her dear brother Emeka Okpala who in the last few years abandoned his life in Onitsha and relocated completely to Lagos to personally oversee her care. Likewise she had very strong attachment to her first cousins the Okafor family and the entire Umuadawai clan of Nnobi. It is largely due to her that the intricate network of love that binds Ichida, Nnobi Oraukwu, and Ukpo was cemented. To friends and associates of her husband, children and herself, she showed love and respect, irrespective of class, age, status, creed or religion. Whilst in London she pursued her teaching career in several schools initially as an auxiliary teacher. Upon return of the family to Nigeria from the U.K., this love for the teaching profession did not wane. She had a very successful work career as a teacher, rising to the position of Headmistress at Okesuna Primary School, Lagos under the Lagos state Ministry of education. Under her leadership, several notable citizens who had significantly contributed to the development of Nigeria were nurtured. It is pertinent to note that she earned recognition for long service from the Lagos State Ministry of Education and retired a er 30 years of very meritorious service. Life & Times
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Her passing away has le a huge vacuum in the family but as expected in the life of every true believer in Christ, a time shall come when the curtains will be drawn and the While Ifeatu was going through her period of ill health, she still emitted glimmers of hope and on several occasions survived the negative predictions of Medical practitioners. Despite the family's love, care and provision of the most modern medical support, it pleased the Almighty God to call her home to rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ on the 11th of May 2018. We bow to the will of our God. Irene Nkechiyelu Chikelu lives in our hearts forever. She is survived by her husband, four children, and twelve wonderful and highly intelligent grandchildren as well as her extended family and in-laws: the Agbasis of Ukpo, the Igbos of Arondizuogu, the Hananiyas of Hong and the Iguhs of Nimo.
Nunc Dimittis in sung: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people ‌.'
To God be all the glory.
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TRIBUTES F R O M H E R C H I L D R E N
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Tribute
Tribute to my Darling Mother
NUMBER 1
Mummy mu, Omalicha, Nne Soe, Ada agu, Ifeatu Owelle, rest in perfect peace. You always looked into my eyes with a smile whenever I called you these names - I know you are smiling right now. Mummy, you fought like a lioness, holding on ďŹ ercely, just for the family. But your maker decided to call you home, no more pain, no more discomfort.
Who are we to question God? Our hearts are broken and you will forever remain in our hearts. Your laughter, your lively spirit, your witty jokes and comments. Your love for people and you children's friends, your kindness and your generosity will always be second to none.
counselled me and that I will do the things that will make you smile from heaven. I remember what you always used to say to me, "Be tolerant, Soe, because if I am no more you are the mother." I guess the time has come, the journey without you has begun.
Mummy mu, Ada agu, Ifeatu, Nne Soe, I will always miss you dearly. We will all miss you, our darling mother. The emptyness you le in Osborne is indescribable, you were always full of life, you loved people, you loved a happy home, you loved happy environments, you loved giving and above all you loved serving the Almighty God.
I pray that the love you had for us as a family will ignite the strength, energy, patience and tolerance for us all to forge on. I pray that I will be able to passionately protect the family, the way you protected us. Sleep well, Nnemu, sleep well my sweet mother, sleep well daughter of Zion, mighty woman of valor, sleep well our Matriach. Til we meet again, to part no more.
So many of my friends have testiďŹ ed to your unrivalled onuigbo soup, your warmth and your welcoming nature to all, they will miss you! Nnemu you were a very strong woman and a rock in the Chikelu family, whom we all relied on for love, attention and guidance. My prayer is to hold up all you have taught and
No more pains, no more pains, I love you so much Mummy mu. Rest in perfect peace. Soe (Sonia) Life & Times
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Tribute Life & Times
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Tribute
NUMBER 3
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Hosanna To My King! How Blessed I am to have had the privilege to call you Mummy! To have had you cradle me through my infant years! To see your eyes gaze upon me with undiluted and unconditional Love! How can I thank God for blessing me with the Most Wonderful and Amazing Mother that ever lived?
TRIBUTE
NUMBER 4 Nnemoma, Ifeatu, Aguejiejemba, Omalicha Mummy! Nya Diba! You ran a Formidable Race. You fought like a Brave Warrior to stay for us! Nnem Dalu. Through the years, God stood by us and showed us Mercy and Grace. But Alas came that Day........When in His InďŹ nite Wisdom, Our Almighty Father decided it was Time to Rest. Peacefully, My Amazon, You transited to Glory. It was Time for a well deserved Rest. O My Beautiful Mother. Rest Has Come!!! My Darling Mother, My Loving Mother, My Pillar! I miss you so! Tony, Ashley, Sean and Zara miss you terribly. We love you so But God Loves you more. We praise God! We Glorify God! We Thank God For a Life Well Spent! O Death where art thy Sting? Mummy Beautiful memories abound in my Heart where you will live forever! Death cannot take away our memories. Death will not hold us captive, Love has made us free. Your legacy lives on.
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Through the tears is peace. I know you are resting ..watching over all of us... Ijele Nwanyi, Ifeatu Owelle, Omalicha Mummy, Agu eji ejemba, Nnemoma, Nne Chi, Ada Jesus. Kachifo. All my Love, Chi Chi.
Appreciation We want to appreciate everyone who stood by us since the passing unto glory of our dearest Mum. We truly appreciate your love and support. We pray that the Lord grants you journey mercies to your various destinations, long life and good health in Jesus name. Thank you and stay blessed.
NOTES
are not forever, are not the end; it simply means until we meet again. FA R E W E L L M A M A
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