by Mitchelle Uzorka
Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer, hear the cry of those in misery and need. In their afflictions show them your mercy, and give us, we pray, the strength to bear this Loss.
A four days burial ceremony which lasted through 16th, 18th till 20th November 2022 was held in honour of late elder lion (Mrs) Grace Ineke Ukwu. The burial rights and ceremony began on the 16th, November 2022 with a Service of Songs at the Mary Slessor Cathedral, Portharcourt Parish, Rivers State, Nigeria conducted by Rev. Ikechukwu Godwin Orji & Rev. Ikechukwu Anaga.
On 18th, November, 2022, the family of late Elder Grace Ukwu organised an evening of tribute to honour the dearly loved Mother, Aunty, Cousin and Grandmother at her residence in portharcourt, Rivers state. The Service started with an Opening prayer by Rev. Ikechukwu Anaga and a Praise section with members of the Mary Slessor Cathedral Parish and well wishers who came to condole with the bereaved family. Hymns were sang in Honour of Late Elder Lion Grace Ukwu and prayers were also said for the bereaved family.
At the Evening of tribute, the children of the deceased eulogized about their beloved mother as they reminisced about their time spent with her.
On 19th November, 2022, Late Elder Lion (Mrs) Grace Ineke Ukwu was Interred at Vaults and Garden Mortuary. The Ceremony started with a quick stop at her residence, follow by a church service at Mary Slessor Memorial Presbyterian Cathedral, Portharcourt parish. Praises and Hymns were sang in honour of Late Elder Grace Ukwu, and the officiating minister gave a brief sermon. Interment followed immediately at the Valuts and Garden Cemetery after which friends, well wishers and family gathered for a reception at EUI Events Center, to pay their respects and say their final goodbyes to G-girl as she is fondly called.
The Reception of G-Girl was marked with various cultural displays from the Efik tribe and the people of Arochukwu. There was a choir rendition and also a fashion display of a New collection (peacock collection) made by Peaceful Owoghiri.
The burial rights and Celebration ended on the 20th of November with a Thanksgiving service held at Mary Slessor Cathedral, portharcourt parish, Rivers state Nigeria.
Late Elder Lion (Mrs) Grace Ineke Ukwu was born on March 14th to Mr Fyneface Okposuogu ( of Edeoha, Ahoada East, Rivers State ) and his wife Madam Sarah James Obong ( of Creek Town, Cross Rivers State ).
She attended Use Primary School in Itu, Present day Akwaibom State and At 16 she got admission to study at women’s training College ( WTC ) Enugu.
Upon completion of her tertiary Education, Grace perfected plans with her childhood sweetheart and got married on January 30th, 1963 and they both moved to London to Futher their education. She returned gloriously to Nigeria and began work with NTA Markudi.
Thereafter, she moved to work with an Italian construction company, ROCCON, still in Makurdi, Benue State. She also worked as a personal manager with A.C.M Nig.ltd, an indigenous oil servicing company in Portharcourt, Rivers State. In 1997. Spreading her tentacles, she ventured into the downstream sector of Nigeria’s oil industry, when she took on the dealership of a Texaco petrol station, a business her Husband Started.
She lost her husband in November 29th 1992 and took up the role of both father and Mother to her kids who by the way are 5 beautiful strong women and an only Son.
Until her translation, she was a very active member of her Parish, a woman leader, a women’s guild president and patron of the boys brigade and PYPAN. she was the mother of Ruth House of the women’s guild and was made mother of the year in her Parish in 2007. On February 27th, 2011, she was ordained an Elder of the church.
She was a member of the Enugu Sports Club and the Portharcourt club. She was a member of the Soroptimist Club in Portharcourt, She also joined Lion Clubs International She identified with soci-cultural clubs, Arochukwu Social Club of Nigeria (ASCON) and Nzuko Inyom Aro.
The burial ceremony of Late Elder Lion (Mrs) Grace Ineke Ukwu was graced by members of Portharcourt Club, President of Portharcourt polo club, Eng. Chukwudi Dimkpa, family, Mr Ezuma James Ukwu, Margaret Nnennaya Ekpenyong Ukwu, Sarah Ngozi Ukwu, Susan Anezi Ukwu, Theodora Ezinne Leo Edochie, Nollywood Actor Yul Edochie, Alumni’s of Federal Government Girl College Abuloma (FGGCA), and other well wishers who Loved the deceased.
Dream on, Sweet Dreamer.
