By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The founder, Centre for Psychic and Healing Administration (CPHA), Awka, Anambra State, Chief Dr Mrs Flora Nkemakonam Ilonzo, on Sunday, unveiled a mausoleum where she would love to be buried at death.
Ilonzo, a-79-year old herbal healer and first female Artist in the defunct East Central State, erected the mausoleum in her new house at Onitsha, the commercial nerve of Africa in fulfilment of the covenant she earlier entered with her late grandfather, Akunne Onyido.
Late Onyido, a renowned herbalist had trained and empowered his granddaughter, Flora as a teenager who has currently become an expert in phytomedicine, entrepreneur and artist of international repute; resolving the frictions between man and nature.
The woman who assisted former President Muhammed Buhari to escape death when hunted as a military head of State, also used the occasion to give out some parcel of lands and cash gifts to staff of CPHA and her relatives.
“Many years ago when my beloved grandfather, Akunne Onyido decided to gift me a piece of land, one of his sons opposed the idea simply because I had married outside Onitsha. I was heartbroken. But my grandfather told me not to worry because he has seen greatness in my future. He called my uncle, P. Njae Ogwudebe (papa Bar. Chigbo) who was working with the land Department then and he assisted me to secure this land since 1977.
“I have always said that one day I would build something for myself here. By God’s grace, I have not only built this house but I have built homes in Enugu, Ukehe and many other places. I built clinics, schools and houses- some for myself and for others. I have even gifted eight plots of land to some of my loyal staff. But this house here, is personal to me.
“This is a place I will call home. It is my prayer that in this house, I will enjoy peace, health and the company of my family, and when the time comes, many years from now, when I have seen my great-grandchildren and fulfilled my purpose on earth, this will also be my final resting place. There will be no confusion or conflict. This land is mine, and it holds deep meaning to me,” she stated.
Anyafulugo as she’s fondly called, equally gave out parcel of land to her two staff, Hon. Mohammed Sani Abdul and Emeka Friday, including her relatives, Reverend Chetachukwu Chude (son of late Alphonsus Chude), Mr Onyebuchi Ndulue (cousin).
Others she empowered were her cousin brother, Chief Onyekwe Onyido (gifted N21 million for induction into Ozo title in Onitsha ancient kingdom), just as her cousin sister, Mrs Caroline Eke received N1.5m in support of her child’s education abroad and Barrister Chigbo Ogwudebe, another cousin got N1m for sundry support.
The ceremony began with a thanksgiving service at Our Saviour’s Church, Onitsha, where the General Overseer, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stressed the need for knowledge sharing and empowerment, lamenting that Africans were suffering because most of the genius had died without impacting lives positively with what they knew or acquired.
Ikpeazu, while praising Ilonzo for promoting African foods and plants medicinal values, urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love and oneness which according to him, was why the celebrant always show love to all irrespective of ethnic or language colouration.
Speaking in separate interviews, some of the beneficiaries, Mrs Caroline Eke whose son gained admission to study abroad, said the money would assist greatly in offsetting his bill, while Hon. Mohammed Sani Abdul, said his joy knew no bound because Ilonzo did not only took him as a son since demised of his mother when he was three years old but had finally made him a land lord.
Also speaking, the National President, Almagamated Union of Foot stuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria, Dr Mohammed Tahir described the founder of CPHA as a bridge builder and lover of all, and urged other Nigerians to emulate her kind gestures for peace and development of the country.
The last son of the celebrant, Dr Chuka Chude (Akunne), who spoke on behalf of the family members, prayed God to grant his mother good health and wellness to impact more lives.
