BIOGRAPHY

Madam Jessy Ifeuko Kalu was born 84 years ago to

Nna Kalu Njoku and Madam Ucha Kalu, both late,
from Ndi Uke compound in Amangwu Ohafia. Early
life saw her growing up with her parents and a senior
sibling, Madam Jane Ijeoma Kalu, also late. Mma
Jessy got married to late Nna Kalu Igban, after which
they sojourned to the old Western Cameroun, trading
on clothing and light farm work. They later returned to
Calabar and briefly stayed at Port Harcourt.
At the time, a leadership vacuum arose in Umu-elege
family and her husband was eminently chosen to fill
the gap. The new arrangement later saw them
relocating the village. While in the village, they
continued trading on clothing and stock fish,
combining these with heavy farming.
Unfortunately, the appearance of her enterprising
husband in the village drew the envy and ire of men
he thought would have been vest friends, but who
later cut short his life at this prime. Mma Jessey was
contented with the little she had, even as she became
a widow in her early age (since January 1964) when
her husband died. As small as her first son was, at
that time, he told Mma Jessey not to remarry, rather
to remain in his father’s house for the rest of her life –
as if he knew what it meant for a young lady, like
Mma Jessey, at that time, to live alone.
Looking ahead, she did not allow the unfolding events
to deter her efforts in the challenges of taking care of
her young family. With a good disposition for humility,
she completely gave her life to Christ and pointed her
children to the same direction. She belonged to the
Apostolic Church until her death. It was by dint of the
above resolve that she was able to come out of the
civil was without losing any member of her family.
…./2
- 2 -
Mma Jessy was a very hard working woman,
participating in communal activities. She was a front
line female member of the famous Obimba age grade
that built the Residential Teacher’s quarters for the
Community Primary
School in Amangwu. The age grade retired from
active service to the community – Igba Ekpe – very
early in January, 1965.
Mma was exemplarily kind, loving, caring and very
generous. She was always at peace with her
neighbours. She is survived by six children, four
males and two females; many grand and great-grand
children; numerous nephews and uncles
May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace – Amen!
Signed: KALU KALU IGBAN (NNA IGBAN)
FOR THE FAMILY

MMA JESSEY IS SURVIVED BY:

1. Kalu Kalu Igban – Son
2. Mrs Lydia Kalu Iroha - Daughter (Late)
3. George Kalu Igban – Son
4. Eke Kalu Igban – Son
5. Mrs Mercy (Sunday) Iroha Onwuka - Daughter
6. Olugu Kalu Igban – Son
7. Mrs Lovina Thankgod Uka – Daughter

Grand Children:

1. Nnenna Kalu Iroha

2. Uche Kalu Iroha
3. Chinenye Kalu Iroha
4. Omaka Kalu Iroha
5. Nnenna Iroha Onwuka
6. Chinyere Iroha Onwuka
7. Godswill Iroha Onwuka
8. Chioma Iroha Onwuka
9. Chibunwa Iroha Onwuka
10. Emeka Iroha Onwuka
11. Ugochukwu Iroha Onwuka
12. Onyinyechi Iroha Onwuka
13. Tochukwu Kalu Igban
14. Miracle Kalu Igban
15. Grace of God Kalu Igban
16. Peculia Kalu Igban
17. Chinedu Uka Kalu
18. Chinwendu Uka Kalu
19. Chinemere Uka Kalu
 20. Emmanuel Uka Kalu
21. Victor Eke Kalu
22. Uche George Kalu
23. Chidera Jessica Olugu Kalu

GREAT GRAND CHILDREN:

1. Elvis Agbai
2. Jessica Agbai
3. Jessica Ngwoke
4. Emmanuel Ngwoke
5. Chidinma Ngwoke
6. Favour Solomon Kalu Ukpai
7. Amarachi Kalu Ukpai
8. Joy Uwa

NEPHEWS AND NIECES

1. Ochea Eke
2. Chief A. K. Akiri
3. Mrs Nene Uma Agbai
4. Elder Onuoha Kalu Emeghe
5. Mrs Rose Kalu
6. Mr Emeghe Kalu Emeghe
7. Elder Olugu Kalu Emeghe
8. Mrs Stella Onwuka
9. Mrs Philomena Orji
HYMN 145

1.

Ala di mara nma karihe,

Site n’okwukwe k’ayi ji hu ya;

Nn’ayi, Chineke, nechere nay a

K’O doziri ayi eb’obibi.

M’emesia, m’emesia,

Ayi fezuko n; alaoma’ ahu.

M’emesia, m’emesia

Ayin gezuko n’ala oma ahu!

2.

Ayi ganabu n’ ala oma’ ahu

Ab’uto ahu ndi-ngozi

Mo-ayi gapu n’ihe-newuta dum,

Ghara is’ude’ n’ ih’ iz’ ike.

3.

O bu ezi Nn’ayi nke bi n’ elu

K’ayi geny’ otuto kwesiri ya,

N; ihi onyiny ihu-n’ anya-ya

Na ngozi nke nedo ndu-ayi nso.

Amen.

HYMN 191

1.

Mgb’udo, dik’ osimiri, neru n’ uzom,

Mgbe nsogbu biara k’ebili;

N onodum o bula I mewom ka m’ si,

‘O din ma, O diri obim nma.”

O di nma …. O din ma;

O din ma, o diri obim nma.

2.

Ekwesu gesogbu, onwunwa gabia;

Ka m’ tukwasi obim na nka

Na Kraist amatawo na ike adighm,

We wusi obara-Ya n’ihim.

3.

Nmehiem-echiche nka nanyem ok’onu?

Nmehiem- ha nile, ka ha ra,

Di n obe Jisus, ebughkwam ha ozo:

To Chukwu! to Chukwu, nkpur’obim!

4.

N’ebe m’ no idi ndu bu Kraist mgbe nile!

O buru na onwa abia,

O gagh-ewutam; n;onwu dika na ndu,

I genye nkpur’ obim udo-gi

5.

Jisus, o b’obibia-Gi k’ayi nechere:

Ill agagh-ab’uloayi:

Opi nke mo-ozi! Olu nke Chukwu!

Olil; anya, n’iz;ike obim! Amen.

HYMN 901

1.
When peace, like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows, like sea-billows,

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know,

“ it is well, it is well with my soul.’

It is well, with my soul

It is well, with my soul

2.

Though Satan should buffet, through

Trails should come

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate (my soul

And hath shed His own blood for

3.

My sin- not in part, but the whole, though!

Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more; (o my soul

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

4.

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death

As in life (my soul.

Thou wit whisper thy peace to

5.

But, Lord, tis for thee, for thy coming, we wait;

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh, trump of the Angel! Oh voice of the Lord! (soul)

Blessed hope I blessed rest of my

HYMN 964

1.

There’s a land that is fairer than day,

And by faith e can see it afar,

For the father waits over the way,

To prepare us a dwewling-place there.

In the sweet ----by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore….

2.

We shall sing on that beautiful shore

the melodious songs of the blest;

And our spirits shall sorrow no more….

Not a sigh for the blessing above.

3.

to our bountiful father above

We will offer the tribute of praise,

For the glorious gift of His love,

And the blessings that bellow our days.

TRIBUTE TO MY DARLING GRANDMOTHER

OPPS, SO GOES THE NEWS, SPREAD LIKE WIDE WIND IN LOW TUNE “Maa a
wule”. It caught us unawares, we came short of words that day because of the love we all
have for you (Mma Ifeuko). It dealt us a big blow.

Mma, no adjective could be used to describe your life on earth. Even a mad person
would want to grace your burial ceremony because of your kind-hearted character.

Late Mrs. Jessy Kalu Igban (Nne anyi dum). Your life was like a Mirror for us to see and
copy from. You were a role-model amongst the women, You were a rare-gem, a peculiar
person among your peer. You were a friend to all, even the rich, poor, beggar etc above
all listed you were a generous woman.

“Mma beke” as fondly called by We your grandchildren; You were a devoted disciple of
God; To us your grandchildren you always give room for us to talk to you about
anything bothering us without feeling self conscious, you always tell us stories and
histories of the past. Who would be the One to take the responsibilities now?

It is a pity that non of your children nor grand inherited all your features.

After the death I regret every minute spent because I did not have the time to tell you
whom you were when you were alive. Even on writing paper I still shed tears because of
the respect I have for you even in your grave.
Dear Grandma, I miss You and love you so much but I know God loves you more and
He has reasons for taking you back no that is why I will not question him. I will only
give him thanks and praise for the glorious exit and life well spent on Earth. May your
soul rest in perfect peace, until we meet again in great beyond to part more.

EZINNE UKWU.

Grand son
UKA CHINEDU KALU.

TRIBUTE TO MY LOVING MOTHER

Mma., when I heard the news that you died. It was like a dream to me, because I could
not do without you, You were a friend to me and my mother.

Mma, I always remember your wise sayings which you always tell in which you said
nobody is signed for hardship. Anytime, you do good to a person you will say
“Anamepuru Chineke” meaning I am doing it because of God. Mma, you know that if
there is a place where life is sold I would have gone there to buy one for you but only
God giveth life and only God taketh. I can’t ask God why he called you back but I will
always give Him thanks for your life well spent; and keeps solace in the fact you are
resting in the bossom of the Lord. May your soul rest in perfect peace.
Good bye Mma
Ezinne la Nke Oma
Nne Oma la na udo
Mma beke lerue Anya.

Your loving daughter

Lovina Kalu Uka

TRIBUTE TO LATE MMA JESSEY IFEUKO KALU IGBAN (nee KALU NJOKU)

Mma Jessey, Yia anyi dum, so you have gone.

One thing I know is that you have gone to be with the Lord God Almighty. You were a
dedicated Christian to the extent you ensured that you participated in the things of God in
the church like paying your tithe and dues and all forms of levies. You didn't like to miss
morning prayer in the church.

Yia anyi dum, you embraced my wife, Mimgboh as your biological daughter.

You were contented with the little you had even as you became a widow in Your early
age (since January, 1964) when your husband died as a young lady at that time. As small
as I was, at that time, I told you that I did not want you to re-marry. Rather to remain in
my father's house for the rest days of your life, as if I knew what it meant for a young
lady, like you were at that time, to be a widow.
Ma Ifeuko, my heart is full of joy because you obeyed an instruction of a small boy like
me at that time.

Mma Obukeya, I strived so hard to show you love for my admiration of that singular
action, but like a human being, I am not perfect. May be I did not love you quite as good
as I should have, but the Lord God Almighty Father loves you the most even as you are
now resting in His bosom.

Mma Jessey Ifeuko, Yia anyi dum, may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace in the
mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Adieu Mma Jessey!

Adieu Mma Ifeuko!
Adieu Mma Obukeya!
Adieu Mma Oyidiya!
Adieu Yia anyi dum!

KALU KALU IGBAN (NNA-IGBAN

(SON)

TRIBUTE TO LATE MMA JESSEY IFEUKO KALU IGBAN

(MMA-NKE-UKWU)

The news of your departure to eternal glory came to us as a bomb-blast on 11th January,
201 1.

When I heard that my dearest Mma-nke-ukwu has died I cried so much, but found solace
in the fact that you are now resting in the bosom of the Lord because you were good, kind
hearted, peaceful, generous and always cared for people. You were the closest to me and
always had smiles on your face whenever T came around you. Your prayers for us was
that we would grow up and be prosperous in life to take care of you. You used to call me
your mother as I'm named after my late paternal-great-grand mother.

You gave your life to Christ and served him all the days of your life. This time the Lord
said, "My daughter, you have known me. You served and sought me and despite all
tribulations, you have remained faithful. Therefore, come and rest in my bosom".

May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace, in Jesus name. Amen!

Adieu Mma Jessey!

Adieu Mma Ifeuko!
Adieu Alma Obukeya!
Adieu Ma Oyidiya!
Adieu Mma-Nke-Ukwu!
Adieu Mrna-Ndi-Anyaja!
Adieu Yia anyi!
Adieu grand-mother!

GRACE- OF- GOD UC HA KALU IGBAN

(GRAND-DAUGHTER (MMA GI)

TRIBUTE TO LATE NNENNE M (PATERNAL-GRAND-MOTHER)

Ma-nke-ukwu anyi, Life on earth is a mission and every mission has a beginning and an
end. Words alone cannot express the agony, grief, pain and sorrow that your death has
caused to all of us and myself in particular.

Mma-Ndi-Anyaja, where will I start to write about you who loved the things of God?
Very kind and gentle.

Mma-nke-ukwu anyi shared all she had with everyone irrespective of who you are. She
was a friend to the old and young, rich and poor.

Mma-Ndi-Anyaja, I had longed to see you healthy and hearty on Christmas this year not
knowing that the time was already off. You were a woman of peace, humility, gentle and
an embodiment of love and hard-work. You showed all of us love and kindness. You
taught us, your grand-children the path of honesty, peace and above all, fear of God.
Everybody attests for your examplary life. We are consoled by that.

Mma-nke-ukwu, my regret is that I was not around you to share your last moments with
you. All I know is that you are not dead, but you are resting in the bosom of the Lord.

Adieu Lima Jessey! Adieu Ma Ifeuko!

Adieu Mma Obukeya!
Adieu Mma Oyidiva!
Adieu Mma-Nke-Ukwu!
Adieu Mma-Ndi-Anyaja!
Adieu Nnennem! Adieu Yia anyi.

PECULIAR JESSEY IFEUKO KALU IGBAN

(OGBO-GI (GRAND-DAUGHTER)

TRIBUTE TO OUR SWEET, LOVING AND CARING MOTHER MMA JESSEY

KALU IGBAN
Death in Adam, Life in Christ Jesus:

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ by whom we have access by faith into this grace we stand and rejoice in this hope
of the Glory of God;Rom.5v s 1-2

I want to thank God for the strong faith which Mama manifested while she was alive,
which accounted for her victories over her health condition. Even when we thought that
the worst was going to happen, she kept on repeating that God will not allow her to die in
a strange land.

True to her confessions, God granted her longevity of life, which enabled her to live until
the 11th day of January, 2011, when she passed away.

We should remember Mama as a hard working mother who did all she could to make
sure that there was enough food on the table to take care of her family members.

She was a peasant farmer who also engages in petty trading all in an effort to put a smile
on the faces of her children when she came back to the village from Port Harcourt with
my late father.

Mama could also be remembered for her untiring efforts in showing of charity and
affections to others. She loves sharing of whatever she had with other people, even to her
immediate neighbours. She does not eat something alone without giving to other people.

This explains the reason why every time any of her relation visits home, she will quickly
rushed and started preparing food for that person to eat. She is known for her virtues in
giving.

Mama is also known for her humility both in cracking of jokes, story telling and one of
the stories is about an Obosi man who was sent to send a telegram (IKU WAYA) to his
fellow brother living abroad, about the death of their mother, this man went and grabbed
an iron and started hitting it at an electric pole, shouting that his brother should come
home, his mother is dead, (OKO lata na Nne anwuala).

Mama had an unquenchable love for her children, this was the reason why she did not die
while she was living with us in Lagos, ,n order not to placed an additional financial
burden upon us. Rather, she chooses to die at her resident at Ndi Anyaja Compound.
Amangwu Ohafia, Ohafia L.G.A of Abia State, having endured the long distance journey
back home.

Mama your memory lives on. Rest in the Lord, Amen

Fondly remembered by:

Bro. Eke Kalu Igban
Sis. Helen Olanma Eke Kalu
Master Victor Igban Kalu

TRIBUTE TO A LOVING AND CARING NENNE.

Mma, the memory of you will always flow like a beautiful and peaceful river
through my heart. I have always prayed for you to live longer for me. And
that was the reason why the news of your home, whereby you would always
had put everything in place to wait for the arrival of your children. I cannot
forget the loving and caring that hung the whole atmosphere because you
were there at home.

If I want to go swimming Mma would ask me, Ogboo ichuje iyi? Before I call
out, Mma will ask Ogboo what do you want? Mma you were such a wonderful
grand-mother and Nenne, even caring and loving, who always kept the home
joyful.

Before I left home during the new year period I had always prayed that you
would get well soonest and continued preparing for us another moments of
exciting Christmas holidays. Though the turn of event has taken this form, I
will always take solace in the that I was divinely created to be a branch of
your true self. And your sweet memory will continue to linger in the heart of
all of us that loved you. May you continue to rest in the bossom of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen.

Adieu, Grand-mma

By Jessy U.George.

TRIBUTE TO THE MOTI IER OF KINDNESS

Mma, you touched my life most differently. Your candid advice perfectly abridged all the
void areas of my life. Your Christian belief gave my life a meaning. You remembered
that you would pass the planet earth only but once, and have demonstrated genuine love
and kindness to all persons that came across your way. The Lord bless your soul.

You were such an excellent mother who gave so much to keep your children together.
Though our father died forty- six years ago, you did not allow the turn of event to hinder
your efforts in the call towards real motherhood. But the plan of God towards you had
always shone as noonday; and by this you were strongly empowered for good works.

You became a channel of blessing to us, just as God was fulfilling His promises in Isaiah
62:1 which says that "for the sake of Mma Jessy will he not hold his peace, and for your
genuine love for the Almighty he will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as
brightness and the salvation thereof as a lamp that Burnett

Mma, your Christian devotion was such that allowed the above phrases to impact your
life in a special way, such that you despised every form of dull moments to enlist yourself
among the hardworking women of the local folk. Oftentimes, you extended your
generous hands to give to neighbours and others that came your way, believing that the
Lord will continually prepare a table before us, in the presence of our enemies.

In the same way, you would look at the above acts of kindness through your found adage
which says that "onweghi ife madu ri bie ire;' meaning that the tongue cannot be cut off
because it has reached the end of all delicacies, it

will still desire more foods. And you would continue giving out without expecting returns
similarly. But in a way of reaching out to others in true friendship, Mma you rather
maintained that " utuo madu abuo owu onye olu ji ya" meaning that the friendship of two
persons is always sustained by either of them.

Being a scion of Nna Kalu Njoku of old memory, who was famed as a man of proverbs, I
believe you must have taken after your fathers. Throughout your life, Mma you created in
us a sense of value that enabled us to shun greed and be contented with what we have, as
well as making a space for others in our daily living. By this spirit filled Christian life,
women of various ages were always looking up to you as a role-model

You were like a fruitful vine by the sides of the house, and your children grand-children
and great Grand- children like olive plants round about your table. And the Lord
multiplied the days of your life. At the time your physical appearance started to fail due
to ill-health and aging, we still craved to enjoy more of your company. But before we
could say yes, death knocked and you flew away to meet your maker on the 11th of
January, 201 1 .

Mma, be rest assured that having fought a good fight and having finished the race the
Lord, the righteous judge is waiting for you to give you a crown of righteousness. In your
journey to be with Him, we are saying goodbye to you. Anyi g'ezuko na mbara eligwe,
M' ugbua anyi n' asi, Nne la a n' udo

BY GEORGE K. IGBAN

GRANDMA,

IT IS A PITY THAT DEATH

DID NOT ALLOW ME TO MEET YOU,

MY DADDY WILL TELL ME MORE

ABOUT YOU WHEN I GROW.

SLEEP WELL, TILL WE MEET ON THAT

LAST DAY.

MAMA LAST GRAND DAUGHTER

CHIDERA JESSICA OLUGU KALU

A TRIBUTE TO MY SWEET AND LOVING MOTHER

MAMA,

YOU, RE GONE AND NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN, BUT YOUR MEMORY

LINGERS.

I WILL NEVER FORGET OUR GOOD AND BAD MOMENTS, NEITHER WILL I
FORGET YOUR SHOUTINGS, YELLINGS, RANTINGS AND NAGGING –
STANCES, JUST FOR ADMONITION.

YOU BRING ME JOY WHEN I SEE YOUR FACE, AND REPLACE MY SOBER
MOOD WITH LAUGHTER.

YOU GAVE ME PEACE WHEN MY SPIRIT WANDERS ABOUT. YOU GAVE ME

HOPE WHEN I WAS HOPELESS, AND BECAME A FATHER TO ME WHEN I HAD
NONE.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW? CAUSE THE SEED YOU DEPOSITED IN MY HAND ,
IN THE SPIRITWORLD (DREAM), HAVE GERMINATED AND ABOUT TO
SPRING- FORTH.
MY HEART IS HEAVY , MY MIND IS BITTER AND MY TEARS ROLLED –
DOWN.

THE THOUGHT AND MY PLAN FOR YOU FAILLED ME.

I NEVER KNEW THAT THE COLD HANDS OF DEATH WILL VISIT YOU NOW.

AM LOST IN EMOTION, CAUSE YOU NEVER TASTED THE FRUIT OF YOUR

LABOUR BEFORE DEMISE.

I WILL NOT QUESTION GOD IN THIS MATTER BECAUSE, HE GIVETH AND

TAKETH, BUT, I WOULD RATHER SAY

LEE- RUA- ANYA, ANYI NA ABIA.

OLUGU KALU IGBAN (CAPTAIN)