70th birthday: why we celebrate our mother alive – Alaefule

 
The 70th birthday celebration of Mrs Juliana Chinyere Ezekwem has taken place at the family of Late Chief Casmir Ezekwem (Akaekpuchi Onwa 1 of Isiama autonomous community) after a thanksgiving mass at St Mary’s Catholic Parrish, Isiama in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area.   
    In an interview with newsmen on the occasion, one of the sons of the celebrant, Engr Henry Alaefule expressed delight that they were celebrating their mother’s 70th birthday, attributing it to God’s doing.
   Engr Alaefule thanked God for giving his mother the grace to attain 70 years despite her health challenges and appreciated God also for making it possible for his mother to raise eight graduates including three boys and  five girls.
   He maintained that his mother, Mrs Ezekwem means the whole world to him and prayed God to give her many more years ahead with good health.
   The renowned engineer recalled that after training them, their father died without eating the fruits of his labour, noting that this was the reason why they decided to celebrate their mother, because according to him, “We don’t know when one goes to her maker, and having raised us, we chose to celebrate her alive”
   Also speaking, an in-law of the family and husband of the second daughter, Dr Brother Raphael Uzochukwu identified the event as a welcome development and appealed to Igbos to embrace and uphold it and let it overshadow burial ceremonies.
   Dr Brother Uzochukwu also emphasized that the ceremony is worthy of emulation and prayed God to give the celebrant more years and good health.
   The last son of a the celebrant, Ifeanyichukwu Alaefule expressed dismay that his father was not able to be at the event, adding that he felt great as his mother was being honoured , wishing her more blessings as she enjoys her old age.
   The second daughter, Mrs Mary Peace Uzochukwu thanked God for protecting their amiable mother from sicknesses that would have taken her life and prayed God to continue to strengthen her.
   In her remarks, a sister in-law of the celebrant and wife of Engr Henry Alaefule, Mrs Juliet Alaefule described it as an honour for one to clock 70 years, according to her, any other is extra, revealing that her mother in-law is a very kind hearted woman who accommodates people, and prayed God to give her more strength, grace and add more years to her for her to celebrate 100 years on earth.
   The World Man Motors CEO, Mr Titus Okorocha also described the celebrant as a peace maker, a humble woman who does not segregate, and prayed God to keep her alive to see her great grand children.
   Responding, Mrs Ezekwem noted with gladness that her children honoured her and wished them God’s protection, long life and actualization of their hearts desires.
   The highlights of the occasion were cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant and dances by groups of attendees.

Read More: Okporo clan honors Omeogo with “Omaobi Umunneya” award, describes him as unique politician