It was a gathering of honour as friends and well wishers trooped to Madona Catholic Church Agulu, for the burial of Mrs. Juliana Ebebe, the mother of Rev. Fr. Dr. Cosmos Ebebe who is on the board of trustees of Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder.
The burial mass which was officiated by the Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev. Dr peter Okpaleke Had in attendance a good number of the clergy and laity from Anambra State and beyond who came to pay their final respect to a woman they described as an epitome of humility, respect, honour and integrity.
In his homily, the Bishop eulogised Late Madam Juliana as a great exemplary of excellence, who would give her best in any given position. Her discipline and kind heart, reflects on one of his sons, Rev. Fr. Cosmos Ebebe, whose goodwill and kindness to the less privileged and physical challenged cannot be over emphasised. His numerous support to the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder has not only saved lives but given many hope.
He concluded by saying that Madam Juliana lived an exemplary life that every lady should always emulate in their day to day activities.
The ceremony later moved to the Ebebe compound in Obe village in Agulu where her body was laid to rest amidst the sonorous voice of the choir as they performed the funeral songs.
High point of the event was the Awesome donation made by former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi to the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder. The impromptu donation came as a surprise to the Association who had only come to mourn with a member of their board of Trustees, but got a bounty cheque in return.
In her reactions, the coordinator of the Association, Aisha Edwards thanked Mr. Obi for his benevolence, while promising that the Association would utilize the donation effectively. She also urged other well meaning individuals, organizations and churches to throw their support behind the Association in her sensitisation campaign.
However. the president of the Association, Mr. Uchenna Chukwukelu who led them during the condolence visit, said Rev. Fr. Cosmos Ebebe has been a strong back bone to the Association and it was not only reciprocal but also courtesy that they stand by him during the burial, as members of the Association were seen in their numbers at the ceremony.
The Association dragged elites, clergies and laity from various part of the country. Prominent on the list of attendance are Catholic Bishops of Ahiara and Okigwe Diocese Most Rev. Dr Solomon A. Amatu, Rector Pope John Paul Major Seminary Awka, Monsignor. Okpalaibekwe Rep. Enugu Bishop, over 500 clergies and Re. Sisters, form
er Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi National Chairman APGA Chief Victor Oye and other creme de’ LA creme in both the catholic church and society at large
