Celebrating the life of an ENIGMA, a loving Mother

Maria Onyioza Makoju the MATRIARCH of the MAKOJU family of Ebiraland was born in Okene, Karaworo district in 1922. She attended the RCM School where caught the eye of the young student teacher Augustine Bamidele Makoju who eventually married her on 28/12/1941. The young couple started and spent their early life outside Ebiraland, first in Asaba, Delta State where Mr. Makoju was a teacher with the Roman Catholic Mission. There the young Ovavu Makozi today retired Bishop of Port Harcourt and certainly one of Nigeria’s most accomplished respected and loved Catholic Bishops joined them, and lived with two for years before starting his priesthood career. In Asaba, the Makojus were blessed with two sons; Joseph and Martin. Finally, they headed homewards to Okene to settle down and serve their homeland, and in Okene had their last three children; Monica, Charles and Jude. The family lost their youngest member Jude at the tender age of 28 years and he was survived by his son Onimisi.

Maria, all her life was passionately devoted to her husband children. She was reported to have absolutely cooperated with and reinforce her husband’s strict, firm, but loving upbringing of their seven children. Their combined efforts resulted in a set of uniquely talented, hardworking, successful and well achieved children who have all made their mark in their various chosen fields, in the service of this nation in various capacities.

Mama Okene as she was fondly called was only a loving mother to her children, and their offsprings, but also a mother to the hundreds from Ebiraland and beyond that came into contact with her during her life on this earth. This fact was recognized the chieftaincy title of ONYOIZA OF EZI-ONOGU conferred on her by the ADIEKA EZI-ONOGU (Dr. Shaibu Ali) recently in November, 2009. ONYOIZA means mother of goodness and kindness. Mama, we your children and your hundred other children by extension, thank you for your SELFLESS LOVE, YOUR CARE YOUR WIT, YOUR HUMOUR, YOUR GOODNESS, YOUR KINDNESS, AND YOUR CHRIST-LIKE LIFE. We promise to stick together, stay united and continue to live the humble life loving and giving that PAPA and your GOODSELF taught us. REST IN PEACE IN THE BOSSOM OF OUR DEAR LORD WITH PAPA, JUDE, KEVIN, GERARD AND BALKIUS TILL WE JOIN YOU ONE BY ONE.

Mama was 87 years old and survived by six children, twenty four grand children and fifteen great grand children.

This piece is based on the biography of Late Maria Onyioza Makoju presented at her burial on 5th November, 2009.