Fides Media Living the Faith
…. As Bishop Ezeokafor Pays Tribute
By Daruwana Daku
The remains of Mrs Justina Chiulo Muotolum were laid to rest on Saturday, February 4, 2022, at her country home in Ndiagu, Umudioka Village, Neni, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The interment which was preceded by a Holy Mass at St James Catholic Church, Neni, was officiated by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, His Lordship Most Rev Jonas Benson Okoye, and was witnessed by priests, colleagues, associates and friends of the family who came to pay their last respects to the deceased.
Mrs Mutoloum who is survived by 8 children, 29 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, died at the age of 84 on November 9, 2021, amid testimonies of her goodwill on earth.
Adighinije, as she was fondly called, was described by many to be a woman of virtue that was devoted to the Church and to her family in nurturing her children, grand and great, in the things of the Lord.
Speaking after her body was interred, her first son, Chief Peter Muotolum, described his late mother as one who was committed to a life of charity during her life time, saying that her good deeds were evident in the crowd that came to celebrate her impactful stay on earth.
He stressed the need for people to do good and impact others’ lives positively, noting that one could be remembered based on the number of lives that were transformed. He expressed conviction that his mother was in heaven.
The second son, Chief Paul Mutoloum, noted that the mother’s dedication to the Church and the pious societies was part of the seed sown in them in the growth of their faith and that of their children. This was even as he noted that her demise was a call to glory, just as he noted that she lived a good life while on earth.
‘Mama lived a good life. A very ripe old age. At 84, she had children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We did not regret her demise because she had a good legacy that we can say she did not die but is alive,’ he noted.
He also noted that Mrs Muotolum was not just a mother but a role model to young wives, advisor, and counselor whom many choristers also emulated.
Also speaking, one of the deceased’s daughters, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okwuodu, described her mother as a golden mother who was committed to humanitarian projects geared at women’s empowerment. She beckoned on people to live right, noting that such was required for a better society.
For her part, the immediate President General, women’s wing of Neni Town Union, Mrs Oby Obodioeze, noted that the deceased was a role model who was very active in the Catholic Church and who was emulated by the people, not just in the church, but in Neni Town.
The Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, had on Thursday, February 3, paid his tribute to the family at a vigil Mass.