From a Fish Seller to a Governor's Mother... 62 Facts about Gov Obiano's Mother*

_Adieu #Adinije #NneWillie #MamaObiano_

1. A mother is someone who takes the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.

2. She holds her children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.

3. These can best describe the charismatic diamond mother in a million, Nne ora, the late Mrs. Christiana Chinelo Obiano [Adighi n’ije ma ije ekwe ogiga].

4. As her name portends, Christiana was born in 1927 into the noble Christian family of Mr. Azodo Manafa and Mrs. Josephine Manafa of Idigo dynasty in Ezi Agulu, Aguleri.

5. Christiana’s mother, Josephine, sold Mangala fish while her father, Azodo was a hunter and farmer.

6. The early catholic missionaries that brought Christianity to Igboland met the family and converted them.

7. Thus, Mrs. Christiana’s brother, Meze, became a priest.

8. In view of this, most of the early missionaries, including foreigners and their converts as well as other indigenous priests settled in Mama’s family house, which became a rallying point for priests.

9. Hence she was widely known as Nne ndi Father.

10. The little Christiana, perfectly skilled in the art of cooking, would cook for them, wash their suitans, cassocks and other clothes as well as tidy the home.

11. In return, they would bless her.

12. Mama was a gifted cook.

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13. She served many priests, including Blessed Father Michael Iwene Tansi, Dominic Cardinal Ekandem, Bishop Obeleagu, Bishop Shannahan, Father Gbuzue among numerous others.

14. Father Tansi baptized and later taught Mama at Saint Joseph’s and Saint Raphael’s Elementary Schools, Ezi-Agulu, Aguleri up to Standard Six.

15. From her mother’s side, Mama was the first daughter amongst two brothers and five sisters.

16. At 90, Mama was the oldest in Manafa dynasty in Ezi-Agulu, Aguleri.

17. Because of her beauty, cookery skills, cleanliness, humility, respect, hard work and prayerfulness, the eyes of a handsome and Christian suitor caught up with the then Christy.

18. That lucky man was Sir Philip Onuorah Obiano from Umuanaeveli, Egbeagu Village Aguleri, a Scout Commissioner in the then Eastern region (even during the war), a catechist, teacher and later headmaster. He was highly disciplined.

19. Story has it that Sir Philip, who had taught in many areas, including Onitsha, Abakaliki, Isienu, Izzi, Ezamgbo, Obosi,Umuoji, Nkwelle Ezunala, Aguleri and then Onitsha, had been observing Christy and remarking her early arrival to church activities, her dedication, honesty, simplicity and humility and other attributes which made him to inquire further of her parents.

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20. True to type, the day Philip came visiting, Christy was in the market selling fish with her mother.

21. They eventually married and were wedded by Monsignor Meze.

22. The union produced six children, two died, while three males and one female survived.

23. They are; His Excellency, Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano, Governor of Anambra state, Chief Cyril Chukwudozie Obiano, Queen Elizabeth Nkechi Iheme and Mr. Evaristus Chukwunedu Obiano.


http://www.anstalk.com/2017/07/62-facts-about-gov-obianos-mother.html?m=1