by Ebele Ofodile
The remains of late Lady Grace Ngozi Agbadugo were on Saturday laid to rest in her hometown of Nnokwa, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, amid a large gathering of family members, friends, associates and well wishers who came to honour her life and service.
The burial ceremony was marked by tributes reflecting a life devoted to faith, family, education and quiet service. Speakers recalled her as a woman of discipline and inner strength whose influence extended beyond her immediate family to the many students and lives she encountered during her years as an educator.
One of her daughters, Mrs Adaora Ibekwute, née Agbadugo, described her late mother as generous, selfless and a mother to many. She said Lady Agbadugo was a dedicated teacher who served in several schools in Delta State and prayed for the grace to uphold the values, humility and commitment her mother exemplified.
The first son of the deceased, Engr Sylvester Ikechukwu Agbadugo, expressed gratitude to God for her life, describing her as a devoted mother whose sacrifices and firm guidance laid the foundation for the success of her children. He noted that her influence as an educator and moral compass would continue through her family.
Lady Grace Ngozi Agbadugo, also known as Dibundo, was born on January 15, 1945, at Agbor Village, Alor, to the late Chief John Nwolisah and Mrs Luciana Nwolisah. She was married to Ozo Bernard Agbadugo, both of Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In a sermon during the funeral service, Rev Fr Robison Agbadugo described her as a loving and remarkable woman who devoted her life to her family, ensuring that her children were supported in all their pursuits and raised in an atmosphere of care and responsibility.
She is survived by five children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The funeral service featured messages on purposeful living, faith and preparedness for eternity, with prayers offered for safe journeys and God’s guidance for all in attendance.
The ceremony drew to a close with sober reflections on the enduring mark Lady Grace Agbadugo left on her family, her former students and the wider community, as mourners paid final respects to a woman remembered for a life of purpose, discipline and unwavering commitment to others.
