Someone said: “God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.” For Karen White, “being a mother is like being a gardener of souls. You tend your children, make sure the light always touches them.”
The 16th US president, Abraham Lincoln, further rubbed it in when he said: “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
The place of mothers in the home is not in doubt. Mrs. Rose Chikwe Unachukwu (fondly called Mama Oli, by her late husband, Samuel Onuoha Unachukwu) is a quintessential mother.
She is a woman like no other. An inspiring soul, she is always there for her children and others. She gave birth to 11 children, raised and nurtured them into adulthood. Such is the daunting task she carried.
A few weeks ago, her biological and non-biological children decided to show their gratitude by honouring the super woman with a birthday party to remember. Their only regret was the absence of their father with whom she laboured to see them through life.
To celebrate Mama Oli at 89, her children pulled down the old family house and built a befitting one for her. It also has a security post, an apartment for security men and a chapel.
Indeed, it was a moment to cherish. Family members, friends and well wishers from far and near gathered in her new country home in Imo State to be part of the event. Memories are made of such.
Ironically, it was rumoured in 2023 that the matriarch of the Unachukwu family had passed on. But it was a white lie from the pit of hell. So, to put the record straight, as it were, her children brought her home and celebrated her 89th birthday in grand style.
Born on April 26, 1935, the name Chikwe given to her at birth by her parents, was syntomic, as the Eziefules lost many of their children in infancy, to the cold hands of death; hence the name Chikwe – if God agrees.
Mama was to be denied the love and affection of her father while still an infant, as death came calling for him. Eventually, only three survived to adulthood: Mama Oli, her eldest sister and her immediate elder brother. All three were raised by their mum, Nne Ole. Out of the three, Mama Oli is the only one alive today. Being Anglicans by faith, she was baptized at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Iho-Dimeze, and was given the name, Rose. Thus, she became known as Rose Chikwe Eziefule.
As it was, and is still the norm in Igbo land to seek western education early, Nne Ole enrolled her at Iho Central School, for her primary education as soon as she was of school age. Either by accident or providential design, one of mama’s classmates in the school was a young boy named Sunny Oguike Unachukwu. Unknowingly to both of then, fate will later bring them together as brother and sister in-laws, as she later got married to the elder brother of Sunny Unachukwu. Mama’s beauty and height, attracted many suitors. So, barely out of school, the Eziefule’s family became a beehive of activity, as suitors trooped in and out.
In 1951, she got married to Mr Samuel Unachukwu, a policeman, and relocated to her husband’s station in Lagos, to start a new phase of life as Mrs. Rose Chikwe Unachukwu. She seamlessly blended into married life and became a pillar of strength, support and encouragement to her husband.
She learnt how to sew female dresses and became a seamstress (fashion designer in modern parlance). She made beautiful dresses for her daughters, female relations and wards. She was also involved in running a breakfast only restaurant and traded in a variety of food items. She was tireless and industrious and quickly learned the Yoruba language.
Her husband passed on in 1985 and with his death, the responsibility of guiding and advising her children became her portion. Her son said: “She is our prayer warrior and a pillar of support and strength to her now grown and married adult children.”
Having had their own children and seeing the challenges in raising them, her children have not stopped showing appreciation for the sacrifices she made, the comfort she denied herself and the tough discipline she instilled in them that made them successful.
Her son further said: “Mama, we are sure that the biblical King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, had you in mind, when he penned those immortal words contained in the book of Proverbs 31: 10 – 31. Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil, among other passages.
Mama Oli has 11 children, 40 grand children, 13 great grand children and still counting.