.”Chioma was a dutiful homebuilder and woman of honour….” –Uzodimma

By EDISON Okereke

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has described the late Lolo Chioma Ogechi Bright Njoku as a ‘dutiful homebuilder’ whose resourcefulness as a woman of honour provided a support base to her family.

Describing the loss of a spouse as usually “painful, challenging and demanding,” the governor consoled her husband, the chief executive of Daily Nigerian Horn newspapers, High Chief Bright Chimezie Njoku, saying, “It will not be easy for you, the Njoku family, and the entire Ugiri clan to bear the loss of such a dutiful and resourceful woman of honour, a homebuilder, and a support pillar.”

Mrs Njoku who passed away on Friday, January 31, was interred in her husband’s country-home, Ofodim Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state, on Friday, April 11, 2025, after a funeral service, at St Emmanuel’s Anglican Church in the area. She was aged 49.

On behalf of his family, the government, and the good people of the state, Uzodimma prayed God to give the bereaved family the strength and succour in the vacuum created by her exit.

In his homily at the commendation service, the Clerical Synod Secretary (CSS) the Venerable Chigozie Asamole who represented the Bishop, His Lordship, Rt Rev Dr Godson Ukanwa of Isi-Mbano Anglican Communion, called on the people to divest themselves of all forms of human wickedness such as murder, ritual killings, kidnapping, adulterous and polyandrous tendencies which have been standing on their ways as a bulwark in order to start enjoying God’s mercies and blessings in their lives.

Asamole described sin as an encumbrance and an excess baggage, a big stone which must be rolled out from man’s life before receiving God’s grace.

Quoting copiously from the gospel of ‘Remove the stone!’ (John 11 : 39), Ven. Asamole also condemned inordinate ambitions in most Nigerian leaders who want to be every available thing in leadership on earth thus leaving a trail of hardship for others.

“When you roll away the stone you will attract God’s mercy, God will answer you,” he said.

The priest consoled with the bereaved family, saying that from all he had heard about the deceased she was a good woman who lived in the fear of the Lord, and who complemented the efforts of her husband, and prayerd God to further bless the family she left behind.

In his funeral oration captioned ‘Biography of a quintessential Amazon,’ her husband eulogized his her and explained what attracted him to her, “Chioma’s brilliance and elegant carriage attracted me to propose her for marriage. As it were, I went straight to her for marriage without rigmaroling.
“It wasn’t an easy journey to matrimony, as Chioma posed a hard nut to crack in her intelligent move to study her handsome suitor, that’s me! With persistent moves, however, I won Chioma’s hand in marriage. Consequently, our wedding took place on November 29, 2003….”

He described her as one who enjoyed inclusivity in whatever she did with others.

In an interview, after the service, with the traditional ruler of Ugirinna Autonomous Community, and chairman Ugiri Clan Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Marcel Agbaka (Nna I) on behalf of the clan, expressed his council’s condolences to the bereaved.

He said, “Her death was a surprise to many because she was a woman full of life, whose lifestyle, even her husband’s, Bright himself is a good man in whom Ugiri people, even Isiala Mbano, Imo State, are proud of.

“From what is happening here you can see that people came from different places to mourn her death. I pray God to give High Chief Bright Chimezie Njoku the consolation,” Eze Agbaka stated.

Born on September 9, 1975, the late Chioma attended Owerri Girls’ Secondary School; later, Alvan Ikoku College of Education -all in Owerri, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and graduated with excellent certificates, among others.

Untill her death, she was the Chief Executive of this newspaper, ‘The Onion.’

She is survived by her husband, six children: four girls, two boys, and a host of other relations.

Indeed the burial turned up the creme de la creme in Imo State and beyond.

The Venerable Asamole earlier in his sermon had described the gathering as ‘a crusade of some sort.’