‎Poverty Made My Mother a Laughing Stock; Today, Presidents Honour Her Even in Death — Akagburuonye

‎

‎

‎Poverty Made My Mother a Laughing Stock; Today, Presidents Honour Her Even in Death — Akagburuonye

we‎

‎… Donates Two 18-Seater Buses for Evangelism

‎

‎

‎

‎Barr. Success Obioma Akagburuonye has recounted how his late mother, Ezinne Monica Nwafor Akagburuonye-Amuchie, was ridiculed by some members of her community because of the family’s abject poverty and her unwavering Christian faith, expressing gratitude to God for transforming their circumstances and granting her honour in life and death.

‎

‎Akagburuonye, who is preparing for the burial of his mother, who lived to the age of 105, disclosed that despite the humiliation she endured in their early years at Ogbor Uvuru, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, she remained steadfast in her faith and commitment to evangelism.

‎

‎He said, that he felt fulfilled that his mother lived long enough to witness God’s blessings upon him and his siblings, including their rise from poverty to prosperity, and enjoyed the benefits of a life well spent.

‎

‎According to him, the woman who was once mocked for her humble circumstances and Christian convictions was later honoured by prominent national and international personalities, including presidents of nations, with distinguished individuals continuing to identify with her even after her death.

‎

‎The founder, financier and National Coordinator of Hope Rising for Imolites Foundation, with the motto: Olile Anya Di, Maka Odinma Ndimo, made the disclosure last Sunday at Noah’s Ark Assemblies of God Church, Ogbor Uvuru, during the well-attended inaugural church service of Ezinihitte Mbaise Brethren Movement for Barr. Success Obioma Akagburuonye.

‎

‎Expressing gratitude to God, Akagburuonye said his mother’s life demonstrated that poverty and public ridicule could not permanently define a person whose faith remained unshaken.

‎

‎”The good news is that, my mother, Nwafor, was alive and witnessed how God used me and my siblings to bless all the families that mocked her and us because of our background of abject poverty. This is life and its reality. These are nuggets of wisdom,” he said.

‎

‎Recounting the family’s difficult beginnings, Akagburuonye described the sacrifices his mother made to raise her children while maintaining her commitment to the Assemblies of God Church.

‎

‎He recalled that she regularly embarked on early-morning evangelism with a locally made megaphone, despite being mocked by some members of the community for her appearance, poverty and religious convictions.

‎

‎According to him, his mother often wore the same wrapper from Monday to Friday, washing it on Saturday in preparation for Sunday church service.

‎

‎”The family poverty was so bad that we regularly had what students today call 0-0-1. No food in the morning, no food in the afternoon, and we would only eat at night so that we could sleep.

‎

‎”She would tell us that night food was the most important because, if there was nothing in our stomachs, we might have bad dreams,” he recounted.

‎

‎The humanitarian philanthropist further added that the family sometimes depended on unconventional sources of protein, including rats, lizards, mushrooms and grasshoppers, to prepare meals.

‎

‎Akagburuonye also narrated what he described as a remarkable experience of divine intervention a day the family ran out of food.

‎

‎He said that, on one occasion, he became desperately hungry and persistently disturbed everyone in the household. In response, his mother went to the farm, harvested cassava, soaked it and gathered her children to pray, asking God to honour His word by making the cassava ferment quickly enough for them to prepare a meal.

‎

‎According to him, the cassava began to produce foam by about 1 p.m., just hours after it had been soaked, enabling his mother to prepare food for the family.

‎

‎He described the experience as a miracle, noting that the normal fermentation process usually takes 3 to 4 days.

‎

‎”I share these testimonies for you to know that I did not fall from heaven. I am a product of faith. All these things you see happening today are evidence of God’s faithfulness,” he said.

‎

‎He urged the congregation to take their faith seriously, explaining that his experiences were not distant stories but events that occurred within their own community.

‎

‎Akagburuonye said the same woman who was once ridiculed for her poverty and Christian believe was eventually celebrated by prominent personalities, including former Nigerian Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Good luck Ebelechukwu Jonathan, whom he said have been discussing his mother’s burial arrangements with him.

‎

‎He urged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, stressing that circumstances could change through God’s intervention.

‎

‎”Honestly, it pays to serve Jesus. It pays to serve God in truth and spirit,” he said.

‎

‎In a major highlight of the service, Akagburuonye announced the donation of two 18-seater buses to support evangelism and the activities of two groups: Ezinihitte Mbaise Brethren Movement for Barr. Success Obioma Akagburuonye and Imo Women for Success.

‎

‎He also proposed a change of name for the first group to Ezinihitte Mbaise Believers of the Gospel for Success, while directing that the women’s group should use the name Imo Women Believers of the Gospel for Success.

‎

‎He explained that the buses were intended to facilitate evangelism, mobilise membership and strengthen the groups’ presence across communities in Imo State.

‎

‎”These buses are to enable you to preach the gospel. Then establish ward offices. As the women drive around with their bus inscribed ‘Believers of the Gospel, Imo Women for Success’, questions will start coming: What do you people believe in? Who is this man? Can you beat that campaign? Nobody can beat it,” he said.

‎

‎He further directed the groups to establish offices at the local government and ward levels, expressing his intention to support the expansion of their activities across the state.

‎

‎Akagburuonye also proposed monthly prayer meetings at the centres to thank God for the outgoing month and commit the incoming month into His hands.

‎

‎He said the meetings would provide opportunities for members to pray for their families, communities and the people of Imo State.

‎

‎According to him, the practice could eventually become part of his proposed government programme if he succeeds in his ambition to become governor of the state in 2027.

‎

‎”It will be nice to get used to it now, because, by the time God gives me power, it will be part of the government’s programme to thank God at the end of every outgoing month, commit the incoming month to Him, make a covenant with God and ask Him what you want Him to do for you and the people of Imo State,” he said.

‎

‎He encouraged members of both groups to remain prayerful, committed and confident that their efforts would yield positive results.

‎

‎The service was officiated by Rev. Vitalis Onyenegecha, Mbaise District Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, assisted by the resident pastor, Rev. Charles Obasi.

‎

‎Preaching on Psalm 84:11–12, Onyenegecha said success came from God, arguing that satanic worship could not guarantee genuine success.

‎

‎He maintained that Christianity was a divinely ordained faith and commended Akagburuonye for his total submission to God.

‎

‎The cleric explained that the service was organised to commit the members and activities of the political support groups working for Akagburuonye’s governorship ambition into God’s hands.

‎

‎He said the group represented an effort to encourage the emergence of leaders who would uphold Christian values, promote discipline in governance and alleviate the sufferings of the people.

‎

‎According to him, even non-Christians were praying for the emergence of leaders who would bring positive changes to the country, the State and its political system.

‎

‎”If it is God’s plan that our brother, Obioma Success Akagburuonye, will be the transformational governor of Imo State come 2027, so be it. Any man or woman who wants to truncate it or become an obstacle will face the wrath of God,” the District Superintendent of Assemblies of God Church declared.

‎

‎Onyenegecha also expressed the belief that Akagburuonye could be divinely positioned to reform and transform Imo State, adding that those working against what he considered God’s purpose would not ultimately prevail.

‎

‎He urged the aspirant to remain upright and avoid compromising his principles.

‎

‎”God says the battle is the Lord’s. No demonic forces will affect him because he is God’s own. More importantly, he is working in accordance with God’s directives. He should be upright and never soil his hands, for God is always with him,” he noted and advised.

‎

‎The cleric also prayed for the protection and success of the movement, led by Rev. Komich Ikenna Nwogu, and commended its slogan, From Hope to Success, and with God all things are possible.

‎

‎Akagburuonye praised the two groups for identifying with his political ambition through their personal sacrifices, financial contributions and commitment, even as he is yet to secure the APC governorship ticket.

‎

‎He recalled his mother’s advise that he should pay particular attention to women because they often remembered and genuinely appreciated acts of kindness.

‎

‎”One thing I know, is that women celebrate success. That is why my mother told me, ‘Help more women, because they are the ones who remember and appreciate good gestures. They celebrate success so much,'” he said.

‎

‎He also recalled establishing the Believers of the Gospel Care Foundation, a non-governmental organisation he said was inspired by God to provide support to Christians in different ways.

‎

‎According to him, the Foundation was inaugurated by the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Abel O. Kachi Amadi, years ago but before it was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

‎

‎He explained that some women subsequently embraced the vision and formed Imo Women for Success, which has since been inaugurated.

‎

‎Akagburuonye said he intended to recognise both groups for their commitment and encourage other believers to participate in the initiative.

‎

‎He stressed that the foundation was designed to encourage Christians to participate in leadership selection and extend assistance to fellow believers.

‎

‎He added that the initiative was not restricted to members of the Assemblies of God Church but was open to Christians across denominations.

‎

‎”This is not in any way an Assemblies of God Church affair. When you hear that the founder is Rev. Komich Nwogu of Ezi-Udo Assemblies of God Church, it does not mean that it is restricted to members of the Assemblies of God Church alone. It is for every believer of the gospel, no matter their denomination,” he said.

‎

‎He called on members to work together in promoting the foundation’s objectives, adding that their collective participation would help sustain the initiative.

‎

‎Akagburuonye also acknowledged the contributions of Imo Youths for Success, recalling how some young people had independently mobilised their resources to identify with him during his birthday celebration.

‎

‎He praised their commitment, saying their actions demonstrated the importance of collective sacrifice and grassroots participation initiatives.

‎

‎Earlier, Rev. Komich Ikenna Nwogu, founder and coordinator of Ezinihitte Mbaise Brethren Movement for Barr. Success Obioma Akagburuonye, expressed gratitude to members for their commitment and sacrifices in accepting the establishment of the group.

‎

‎He also thanked Akagburuonye for accepting and supporting the movement shortly after its vision was presented to him.

‎

‎According to Nwogu, the gathering was organised to formally declare the group’s support for Akagburuonye’s political ambition and seek his assistance in pursuing its objectives.

‎

‎”People of God, we are here today to make a history that can never be erased. With God, all things are possible. Our gathering here today is to have our brethren who seek elective positions supported in Christ to the fullest and to work towards their success,” he said.

‎

‎Nwogu disclosed that the movement had members across the 32 branches of Assemblies of God churches in Ezinihitte Mbaise and intended to establish a presence in the area’s polling units.

‎

‎He appealed to Akagburuonye to continue supporting the group through funding, provision of a secretariat and assistance with its programmes.

‎

‎The Coordinator assured the aspirant of the members’ readiness to work with him whenever their services were required.

‎

‎He further listed the movement’s objectives to include promoting Christian fellowship, propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ, organising regular prayers and summits, and nurturing Christian leadership and moral values among youths and adults.

‎

‎Other objectives, he said, included providing financial assistance and welfare support to members, widows, orphans and less privileged persons, as well as advocating justice, peace, human rights and good governance based on Christian principles.

‎

‎Nwogu disclosed that the movement planned to establish structures across the state’s 27 local government areas and 305 wards.

‎

‎He expressed appreciation to Akagburuonye for the inauguration and support, as well as to Amb. Onyebuchi Onyeikeegbulem, Hon. Herbert Udo Njoku, Deacon Uchenna Chilaka, popularly known as Undac, Deacon M.C. Inyama of M.C. Furniture, his wife, Mrs. Esther Komich, and other members who contributed immensely towards the group’s democratic participation developmental agenda.

‎

‎The event ended with prayers for the movement, its members and Akagburuonye’s political ambition, with participants expressing hope that their faith, unity and collective efforts would contribute to the group’s objectives.

About The Author