By Ingram Osigwe.
The late Mrs Comfort Mary Nkechinyere Ezenna, the matriarch of the Ezenna family of Owerre Akoka, Ideato North LGA, Imo state, and mother of the Chairman, Orange Group, Sir Tony Ezenna( Ijele Akokwa) who died November last year aged 88 was Thursday, the 15th of January,2026 laid to rest at the Ezennas‘ country home after a funeral mass at St. David’s Catholic church, Owerre Akokwa.
Indeed, Sir Ezenna and his siblings – Mrs Georglyn Chinwe, Mrs Chika Mgbemena, Mrs Ngozi Nwanna, Ernest Ezenna and Kelechi Ezenna– spared no cost to accord their late mother a grand, befitting farewell.
The the well attended three- day carnival- like funeral which climaxed with a Thanksgiving mass on Sunday, January 18, 2026, attracted an array of important dignitaries within and outside the country including Imo state governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, former governors of the state, Ikedi Ohakim and Emeka Ihedioha, former Anambra state governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi; Member representing Ideato North/South in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, former member of the House of Reps, Hon. Jones Onyeyiri, Senior Special Adviser( SSA) to the Abia state Governor on Special Duties, Dr. Betty Emeka- Obasi, Chairman, United Airline, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, sports administrator and CEO Hensen Trust Group, Dan Ngerem.
Other important personalities that graced Mrs Ezenna’s colourful and grand funeral were business mogul and a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) in Anambra state, Chief Chris Ubah, former Imo state Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Professor Ngozi Anyikwa, Secretary to Imo state Government, Cosmas Iwu, Chief of Staff to Governor Uzodinma, Nnamdi Anyaehie.
Also in attendance were Senators Osita Izunaso, Sen Ndubueze Patrick, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Victor Umeh; Prof. TOC Ndubuizu – 1st Vice Chancellor Imo State University (IMSU), Jide Iwuanyanwu, Imo state Commisioner for special duties, Dr Chika Abazu, Speaker Imo House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, Dr. Ngozi Njoku – Former Imo State Commissioner for Women Affairs – Chief Chukwuma Maduchukwu (SAN), Amb. Greg Mbadiwe, Hon. Dr. ThankGod Ezeani, CEO, Ekulo Group, Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo, Chairman & Co founder of Seplat Energy PLC, Dr ABC Orjiakor, CEO, Westfield Energy Ltd, Chief Henry Okolie-Aboh, Chief Chris Igwe, Chairman, Mainland oil and Gas, CEO Sweet home Bathroom Ltd, Chief Amobi Ikeh, CEO Legacy Auto, Chief Okey Ezeibe, Barr. Chijioke Nzekwe (Former Imo State Commissioner for Culture & Tourism), Chief Longers Anyanwu, Chief Abraham Otti (Mighty Mighty) Former Imo state Deputy Governor, Chief Jude Agbaso,
Prince Obinna Okwara, Dr. James Okoroma (Acting Chairman African Democratic Congress (ADC) Imo State), Chief Vin Mgbemena, Ace actor & Comedian Okey Bakassi, Chief Okey Dike, Chief Felix Fezel Ezeamama,High Chief Ifeanyi Ojimba, CEO, Transtel Group, Lady Ngozi Udokoro, Chief Okwudili Otti, CEO, Caltec Group, Chief Celestine Ebubeogu, Chairman, Tiger Foods, Pharm (Barr) Azubuike Okoronkwo, High Chief Fabian Onwuachu, Chairman, Obi’s cabinet Akokwa, Owelle Chukwudi Ofoedu, Chief Chika Ukaigwe, High Chief Chijioke Awalite, CEO De Heavens Group, CEO of Panda Hotels Yaba, Chief Willle Obi, Hon Odera Onwudiwe, MC Cogency, Dr Obinna Okpara, MD, Ron Logistics and Supporting services Ltd, Bar Okey Muomalu, Chief Obinna Umunna, CEO, Patricklingo Pharm Ltd, Chief Uche Onwuelingo, CEO, Don Pee Wine & Beverage Ltd, Dr Onyeka .C Ogbatu, CEO UTEC Ltd, Chief Uche Anazodo, Chairman, Koil Nig Ltd, Chief Luke Okeke, Chief Azubuike Umunna, Chief Emma Agbarusia Ginika, Hon. (Chief) Chukwuemeka Eze Chinemeze and gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the 2025 Anambra governorship election, Chief Val Ozigbo.
The traditional institution was not left out in the funeral as a number of traditional rulers registered presence. These include HRH Eze (Amb) Damian Emeka Obianigwe, Ezeoha, Obi of Isi Ihite-Owerri, HRH Nnanna L. Emechebe, the traditional ruler of Owerri-Akokwa, HRH Eze Kingsley Ifeanyi Anyaoha (Ojukwu 111), the traditional Ruler of Umukegwu-Akokwa,
Nkume Jude P. E. Anyikwa, (Osuachara the 3rd), the Ononankume & traditional Head of Umueziama, Umuezeaga, Akokwa.
A devout Catholic during her life time , the late Mrs Ezenna’s funeral mass was officiated by two Bishops – Most Rev. Augustine T. Ukwuoma, Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese and Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha Diocese.
– Osigwe is Media adviser to Sir Tony Ezenna and MD, Full page communications Ltd.
