Eunice Akosa - Where it Started
BIOGRAPHY
Eunice Uche Akosa
Eunice Uche Akosa (August 8th,1943 to January 2nd, 2013) was a devout catholic, selfless mother, businesswoman, humanitarian and a peace lover. She was born in the family of Mrs Lydia and Mr Maurice Onwuegbuna in Nkpoka Okpuno Nnewichi-Nnewi in Anambra State, Nigeria. She was the third child and second daughter of her mother. Her mother died during her tender age which made her spend her childhood with her aunties and her elder sister (Mrs Monica Okeke R.I.P). In 1958, during the Christmas holidays, she visited Nnewi. On an eventful day, after attending Sunday mass at St Peter Clever’s church, Odida Nnewichi, Chief Esianaka Akolisa trailed her to her sister’s house and insisted on having her hand in marriage. She proceeded to Cameroon and they wedded on December 26th, 1959 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Bamenda, Cameroon.
Eunice Akosa was the Secretary of St. Ann Catholic Women at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Bamenda, Cameroon from 1962-1977. Treasurer of St. Ann catholic women group at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Bamenda (1978-1990). In Nigeria, she was the Vice-Chairperson and Treasurer of St Anthony’s Guild at St. Jude Parish Onitsha. During the process of Rev. Fr Iwene Tansi beatification, she led the team (Rev. Fr Gregory, Late Mrs Mercy Agwuncha, Mrs Umegakwe) to Mbengwi monastery in Cameroon where Rev. Fr Iwene Tansi spent part of his life in order to gather information on his life history. After their visit to the monastery, they established Fr Iwene Tansi prayer groups at Small Mankon Parish, Bamenda and Nkwen Bayelle Parish all in Cameroon. She also supported the establishment of Fr Iwene Tansi prayer groups at Odoekpe, Ogbaru and Okpoko, Nigeria. She was treasurer of St. John Cross Catholic church, Egbo, Nnewi (Onitsha branch 1992-1998). She was honoured ‘Ezinne’, Patroness of St. John Cross Catholic church, Egbo, Nnewi and St. Louis parish Uruagu Nnewi.
Eunice Akosa was so generous with her time and resources. She was a hardworking businesswoman as far back as 1960. She started a sewing business in Mankon Bamenda, Cameroon. She toiled day and night paddling sewing machine in order to provide for her children. This small business later grew to a tailoring institute and she expanded her business into catering including wedding and other ceremonial events. In Nigeria, she started a Motor Cycle Spare Parts business and was very successful in this exclusive business. Finally, she joined the Bureau de Change business in Onitsha, Nigeria before retiring in business. She shared her financial success with many charities and people who were helpless, sick and indigent.
Eunice Akosa fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. She was a great woman of faith and prayer, dedicating her time to charitable, religious and community work. She was a compassionate mother, known for her lifelong love for her family. Before her death, she travelled around North America visiting all her children, especially the great memories of her last Thanksgiving celebration/family get-together in November 2012 with grand-children and daughters-in-law. On January 2nd, 2013, after partaking in the EWTN daily mass at 12 noon, she said her rosary and prayers, laid down on a sofa in the presence of her grandchildren and passed on quietly and peacefully.
