Biography Of Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu's Mother, Mrs Bessie Ikpeazu

(May 7, 1928 – November 29, 2015)

Late Mrs. Bessie Ikpeazu (Nee Nwagwu) was born on May 7th
1928 to Mr. Nwagwu Anaba and Mrs. Mabel Nwagwu of Umuafor
village in Obingwa L.G.A of Abia State. Mama’s father died in
1944 when she was 16 years old and her mother decided,
against the wish of her in-laws to send her to school instead of
getting married. As a result of this disagreement, Mama and her
mother went to live in her maternal home Ukpakiri, also in
Obingwa L.G.A in order for her to go to school. In 1945 at the
age of 17 years, she started primary school. She obtained her
primary education from Adventist primary school Aba; she
attended School of Nursing, Adventist Hospital Ile Ife and
graduated in 1959. In 1975, she went back to further her
education at School of Midwifery, Methodist hospital, Amachara
Umuahia. She married to late Mr. Ishmael Uleanya Ikpeazu in
December, 1961 and this union was blessed with three children;
Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu (Executive Governor of Abia State
Nigeria), Mrs. Edith Ocheze Ugboaja and Barrister Iheanyichukwu
Ugonna Ikpeazu.

As a Registered Nurse, Mrs. Ikpeazu worked at Ahoada county
hospital, Ahoada Rivers State, Okpuala Ngwa General Hospital
(Matron,) and Nigerian Christian hospital Onitcha Ngwa where she
served as the matron until she retired in 1994. During this period,
she also served as the Nursing supervisor for the Motherless
Babies Home, Adventist Hospital Aba.

As an entrepreneur, she was the owner and CEO of Ulari Maternity
Home/Clinic Umuobiakwa, a clinic where she saved many lives,
and delivered thousands of babies for little or no charge.
Mama was a peace maker, she was kind, loving, honest,
straightforward, transparent and God fearing woman; she loved
her God and her fellow humans and lived peacefully with
everyone. Through her warm loving kindness, she touched many
lives both within the family, the church, work place and in the
community. Through her kind generosity many orphans, widows,
widowers and less privileged adults and children found a home in
her home. These many acts of kindness gave her the name “Nne
Oha” as her love for people had no boundaries. Every time we
came home and saw another stranger at home and asked mama
who that was, her response was always the same, “ You know
that I have many children and they are scattered all over the
world, I don’t know them all, but whenever God brings them into
my life, I have to be mother to them.” She was a devout Christian
woman, a prayer warrior, a Deaconess in the church and also
served as Women’s Ministry leader for her local church for many
years. In Umuobiakwa village, she was a model wife and a role
model to other women in the village. With the help of a few other
women, she formed the popular “We-We” meeting for women
married into the village. This meeting serves a melting pot and an
avenue for acclimatization for many women married into the
village.

Her hobbies in her younger years included reading, knitting,
sewing and agriculture. During her middle age and later years,
she continued to read but dedicated her life more to the service
of God, prayer ministry and humanitarian work. Nothing gave her
joy than putting smiles on the faces of hurting individuals. When
her health started failing about 22 years ago and the doctors told
her that she did not have much longer to live, she gave away
most her possessions to the poor. When we questioned her
about her action, she stated that she did it because she knew
that we might not remember to give things to this group of
people when she is no more. One can say that at this time she
began to prepare her life for the journey for eternal life just as
Jesus demanded from the rich young ruler.

As our mother, mama loved and nurtured her three children and a
host of other children with such love that is indescribable. Her
gentle touch was a soothing balm, her beautiful smile was
calming, and her temperament was peaceful. Nothing provoked
her to anger and she saw great potential in everyone. She raised
us with the fear of the Lord and taught us love and forgiveness.

When things seemed to be going in the wrong direction, she will
always say “Calm down, forgive and let it go, It is better to be a
peacemaker than a renowned warrior”. Mama taught us hard
work, honesty, dedication and perseverance. She was indeed a
Proverbs 31 woman, a virtuous woman and we, her children
arose daily and called her blessed. We are thankful to God for
giving us an angel as a mother, grandmother and mother in law.
We will miss her love and her presence but we shall remain
eternally grateful to God for the life He gave to her, and in
mama’s own words, “The Lord is our strength”

In death, Mama remained strong in her faith and never wavered,
she reaffirmed her love for the Lord repeatedly saying, “My God is
good, the Lord is my strength, I love Jesus and Jesus loves me.”
She reaffirmed her love to all her children, grandchildren and in
laws and made sure she told us that she loved us. Finally she
asked about United African Church and asked if we are steadfast
in prayer, and her final message was that I should tell members
of this church that she loves you all.

Mama we love you too and may your gentle soul rest in peace!


SHE SURVIVED BY :

Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D (Governor, Abia State)
Mrs. Edith Ocheze Ugboaja (Family Nurse Practitioner) U.S.A.
Barrister Iheanyichukwu Ugonna Ikpeazu (Attorney)

Grand Children:
Obinna Ugboaja
Jachimike Ikpeazu
Ogechi Ugboaja
Chinedum Ikpeazu
Chisom Ugboaja
Betsy Ikpeazu
Adimchinobi Ikpeazu
Chizuruoke Ikpeazu
Oluomachi Ikpeazu
Somtochukwu Crown Ikpeazu
Daughters in law:
Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu (Abia State First Lady)
Mrs. Ucheoma Ikpeazu

Son In law:
Mr. Nnamdi Ugboaja


SINGED :

DR OKEZIE IKPEAZU  Ph.D

For The Family