Late Iyom Uyanne Maria Ude-Alor Menkiti Obiesili Nee Okoye-Agulu, Alias Okoye Anakakpu, Isagba Anu-Enyi. was born on the thirty-first day of July, 1920 to Late Ogbuevi Okoye Aakpo and late Iyom Udemezue of Umu-Isagba Umuekwo Umuajani Umundeze Mmiata Anam in Anambra West local Government Area, Anambra State.
She grew up in the care and nurturing of her parents as she did not receive formal education.
Young and beautiful Maria got married and settled down with Late Ogbuevi Ude-Alor Obiesili of Umuawa Mmiata Anam and they were blessed with a total of nine children, five boys and four girls though she lost three during the course of her life while the rest are holding their own in life. She is also survived by fifty-seven grand and forty-six great grandchildren.
Late Mrs Obiesili a very industrious and active woman both in and out of the farm, was also specialized in selling of fish which made it possible for her to assist her husband in training and bringing up their children.
When her husband died, she took up the whole responsibilities and challenges, making sure that all her children were brought up at par with their mates. . As if that was not enough, she took over the motherly care of her grandchildren .
She participated actively in socio-cultural activities as she led her mates on some cultural displays like “ike-omaba” umu nwanyi Anam. In 1971, her group went to Onitsha Ado on several occasions with her Omaba attire performing creditably while displaying the women cultural heritage of the community.
Late Mrs Obiesili joined the Otu Odu, otherwise called Ndi Okpu Umu nwanyi early in her life as a married woman which qualified her as Iyom.
As her journey of life continued, she was converted from the traditional religion worship to the Roman Catholic faith at Awokor Mmiata Anam by one Brother Obere Udenze who was the Church Administrator then.
Much later, towards her late eighties, she joined the Pentecostal fellowship known as born again Christianity.
As nature had it, she became the eldest woman from Umundeze Mmiata Anam which prompted crowning and decorating her as the Royal and Prestigious ADA UMUNDEZE MMIATA ANAM in 2020.
God blessed her with good health, even to the last day at her early one hundred years, she slept and couldn’t wake. Her death marked the last set of a particular generation of Umu – Obiesili. She was the last among the past generation that knew the family’s great grandfathers.
She lived to see not only her grandchildren, great grandchildren, but also great – great grandchildren.
Iyom Uyanne Ude-alor Menkiti Obiesili was really a matriarch not only to Umu Obiesili kindred, but to the entire Umuawa Mmiata Anam. May her kind and gentle soul rest in the bosom of the Lord. Amen.
She is survived by many relatives including Honourable Ike Obiesili, Special Assistant on Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs to Governor Chukwuma Soludo
Ada Iyom Uyanne Ude-alor Obiesili, jee nke oma.
HON, IKECHUKWU OBIESILI
