Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has written to ex-Vice President of the World Bank, Oby Ezekwesili, on the demise of her mother, Cecilia Ujubuonu.
His condolence letter was delivered to the family on Wednesday, hours before the late Ujubuonu was laid to rest at Umunuko, Ukpor, Nnewi-South Local Government Area in Anambra State.
Obasanjo commiserated with the former presidential candidate and the entire family, while celebrating the life of the deceased.
He said Madam Cecilia was a dutiful wife, a caring mother, a sharing community leader and a devoted Christian who would be missed by everyone.
Stressing that death is inevitable, the former Nigerian leader said the deceased was 78 years, “which implies that she transcended the biblical three-score and 10 years, considered the index for old age and, by itself, an indication of the grace of God.”
“But doing so with all that Mama had achieved in her life together with her husband and your father, Mr. Benjamin Ujubuonu, of blessed memory, it is also an indication of the grace of God multiplied.”
The one-time Head of State noted that he could attest to the fact that “her children, you (Oby) in particular, are women and men of strong character and great achievements in their own rights.”
Obasanjo hailed Mama’s virtues and Oby’s “admirable character, which I have come to cherish as you worked with me in different capacities for almost eight years, during my administration as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“Throughout her sojourn on earth, she epitomised outstanding resilience, undiluted faith, heroic grace, unbreakable strength, gallantry, loyalty, courage, steadfastness and a simple, unadulterated and unequivocal devotion to the common good.”
Obasanjo added that the late Ujubuonu was cultured person, a symbol of humility, moderation and selfless service.
“As we bid her goodbye, we must resolve that her great labour of love shall not be in vain”, he concluded.
