OKPAI/Nigeria: The burial of Mrs Janet Ezechi, mother of the member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, has brought to a close the funeral rites for the 98-year-old, with her son recalling the values of prayer, discipline and love that defined her life.
Mrs Ezechi was laid to rest on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in her hometown of Okpai, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, after family members, friends, political associates, community leaders and sympathisers gathered to honour her memory.
Her remains were taken from Asaba Specialist Hospital and stopped briefly at the residence of Nnamdi Ezechi before the funeral procession continued to Okpai for the interment and other burial rites.
At the funeral service, Apostle Jonathan Wonder of Emmanuel Chapel, Asaba, urged mourners to reflect on the brevity of life and the need to live in accordance with Christian values.
Using John 11:26 for his message, Wonder said earthly life was temporary and urged the congregation to examine the quality of their lives and their relationship with God.
He encouraged the mourners to uphold faith, love, righteousness and service to God, stressing that death should also serve as a reminder of the responsibility of the living to lead purposeful lives.
But for Nnamdi Ezechi, the funeral was also an opportunity to reflect on the personal influence his mother had on him and his family.
In a tribute titled “Celebration of Life of a Great Mother (Mneoma),” Ezechi described his late mother as a woman whose life was marked by prayer, sacrifice, discipline, love and generosity.
He recalled her as his counsellor, friend, disciplinarian and strongest supporter, saying she corrected him when necessary, celebrated his achievements and remained a source of encouragement during difficult periods.
Ezechi said his mother’s influence became particularly strong after she moved to live with his family in Kwale and later accompanied them to Abuja.
According to him, she turned the family home into a place of prayer, regularly gathering members of the household to pray.
He recalled that whenever she called the family to prayer, television programmes and other activities would stop as the household joined her.
Ezechi said his mother also prayed regularly for him, his wife, children, siblings and others around the family.
Describing her as “a woman who carried burdens on her knees so the rest of us could walk freely,” he said her physical absence would be deeply felt but that the values she instilled in the family would continue to guide them.
He pledged to honour her memory by upholding the principles of prayer, love and service that she taught him.
The funeral attracted a representative of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; former Governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and his wife; members of the National Assembly; government officials; political and community leaders; clergy and youth groups.
Cultural displays and traditional dances were also part of the funeral activities as relatives and sympathisers gathered to celebrate the life of the deceased.
In a message of appreciation, the Ezechi family thanked relatives, friends, political associates, community leaders and other well-wishers who attended the funeral or supported the family during the period of mourning.
Mrs Ezechi had earlier been remembered at a Service of Songs in Asaba, where members of her family described her as a hardworking, loving and devoted woman who remained committed to her children after the death of her husband. She was also remembered for her generosity, hospitality, Christian faith and willingness to support relatives and visitors.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other members of her extended family.
