Africa
Lady Kosor: Reminiscing A life Of Service To Humanity, by Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
Life has different meanings to different persons but I have come to realize that life is about service to others as exemplified in the life and times of great people whose lives epitomizes service to humanity. In the past, when I hear people say that good people never really die, it was like a mystery to me. But now it sounds true in my ear and looks obvious before me. Yes, good people never really die because even when they depart this world they still live in the minds of those whose lives they have touched positively. And when they go, they leave behind legacies and footprints that remind the living of their existence. Those who lived well by impacting on others in a positive way are immortalized in the hearts of the people.
So, the purpose of a eulogy and epitaph to the dead is essentially to remind the living of the need to live a life worthy of remembrance. Thus, the life of great people departed should be an inspiration to the living.
Lady Onyekaosor Felicia Akpapunam nee Chukwurah was not a political leader but a community leader and a social crusader who lived sacrificially for others. She was an amazon who was active in every forum that she belonged. She used every opportunity at her behest to do what is good. She was an archetype of a good leader who used everything at her disposal to help others – her family, friends, relations and outsiders. She loved humanity and with her time, skill and wealth she devoted towards uplifting the dignity of man. To her, live was about serving others, sharing and caring and these she did dedicatedly. She believed life was about interdependence. She believed that peaceful co-existence can be attained by loving and caring for others.
She was a firm believer in God and divine providence. She believed that whatever you have was by divine providence held in trust for service. Lady K as she was fondly called was deeply religious but not fanatical and her contribution to the service of God was amply recognized by her local Church community where she was ordained a deaconess. She believed that true worship is about love of God and man. She practiced love and all that was within her radiated love. She served God diligently and touched lives with a loving heart. She cared for the needy and the vulnerable. After her retirement from paid employment, she established an NGO which she used as a platform to touch others.
Lady K was a counselor and a mentor per excellence who had mentored many directly and indirectly. She had a listening ear and was ever willing to counsel any who came to seek advice from her. She was a role model and her values and exemplary conduct are worthy of emulation. Again, she was an Amazon, a good fighter and a fearless advocate for the weak; a defender of the truth. She was a woman of great virtues, a caring mother, a loving wife, an ambassador of peace and conflict manager. From the family to the larger society, her live was about service. In addition to the numerous awards and societal recognition, she was bestowed with a chieftaincy title from the place she was married. And just as men had honored her I believed that she will also be accommodated in paradise for her saintly virtues. Although her numerous admirers and beneficiaries all miss her but we are comforted by her good works.
Today, 22nd September, 2024 is the memorial of her departure to join the saints in heaven. It is already three years but it is like yesterday. We can still relive her fond memories, the queen of hearts. Her life is a challenge to us. Her achievements and accomplishments are great and her ideals too noble for the ordinary mind. Indeed, she left a vacuum that will take a long time to be filled.
Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
An actress, social activist, politician
London, UK
