A Tribute to My Mother

It’s been said that a mother’s heart is the child’s classroom. I thank God for all that my mom, Lady Rose
Ngozi Okeke, has taught me through the years. She is a portrait of a godly mother, and I’m proud to be
her son.
I want to share a few things I learned from my mother that have influenced me greatly. I trust that as you
read this, you, too, can reflect and remember things your own mother taught you. And I pray that all
parents can learn from my mom’s example and impart these same truths to their children.
Mom taught me the importance of having a relationship with God. She told me, “Son, without God,
you’re nothing. Oh, you may run fast. And you may make good grades and do a lot of things. But He’s
everything you need. You’re nothing without Him.” There isn’t anything more important for a mother to
teach her children than to teach them how to have a relationship with God.
Mom taught me how to endure. She told me and my younger ones to never quit—no matter what.
Growing up, we endured some hard times, but through my mom’s example of endurance, we learned to
keep going even in the hard times.
I witnessed my mom’s constant devotion to and love for my dad. My mom never complained. Instead,
she learned to endure the hard times. Everything in our lives today came from those small beginnings.
Now we can testify to the truth that obedience has its rewards! If we will obey God and endure hardship
like a good soldier (2 Timothy 2:3), there will be ample reward.
Mom taught me something else about endurance. She never magnified the sacrifice. She told us, “Don’t
magnify the sacrifice; only magnify God’s grace.” She would tell us kids, “It’s not as bad as it looks. God
is our Source and sustainer, and if we will endure, we will find victory on the other side of this black
cloud.”
Mom taught me to be faithful. I have tried to emulate her faithfulness the best way I know how. If I start
anything, I strive to be faithful to complete it. If I give my word, I am faithful to keep it. Mom taught us
to be faithful to our word and to be faithful to God and His Word.
Many people know and talk about my mother’s faith. But I am here today as a result of my mother’s faith.
She believed that by teaching me all that she taught, she would never have to shed tears over a wayward
son. No, I haven’t done everything right. Yes, I’ve messed up at times, and I’ve done some things in the
past that I shouldn’t have done. But God is forgiving, and the words of my mom always came to me in
my time of need. God has been faithful to answer the prayers she prayed over the years.
These are just a few of the things I have learned from my mom. I pray that these are truths you can use to
teach your own children and others as well. And I believe that if you will teach your children these same
godly principles, you will see good results in the end.
Thank you for the mother that you were. A great mother! A mother who guides and inspires. A mother
who dedicated her time in helping others without expecting in return. A women who believed in taking
life as it comes. You were a mother to a lot of people. The person who taught me that it is who you are
inside that matters not the odds against you. You were the pillar of strength and inspiration to me.
The motivation to get up when I was tired. You made me feel like a king. You taught me how to forgive,
love, and accept people for the way they are. You taught me how to laugh and accept my flaws. You
reminded me how unique I was and molded me to the man I am today.
mYou taught me about pride and humility. You were the one with the wisdom and Insight to decide
what to do when the path was not clear.
A woman who did everything within her capacity to give her children the best. You were strong from the
beginning to the end. Principled, pragmatic and practical. You were very principled and pragmatic in your
approach to things, this I took for wickedness until I grew up. You did not mind whose ox is
being gored as long as you played out the truth. Your heart was healthy towards both friends and foes.
I believe you could have been a great political leader.  A dutiful disciplinarian, you did not spare the rod.
You lavishly and lovingly gave us a treat of the rod every time we run off track.
For this, we are grateful. The very many rods have made us fit in the society. A woman of God said, if
you do not discipline your children at home, the society will help you punish them. You did not leave us
to be punished by society. For this, I say THANK YOU.
You did not take a No for an answer when it came to our education. I remember my admission to the
Federal University of Technology Owerri. When it looked like I was not going to scale through, you took
me to owerri and insisted on seeing the Vice Chancellor. When the secretary said no, you sat on the floor
in her office. The Vice Chancellor, late Professor Celestine Onyemobi Elihe Onwuliri, walked in asked
what was wrong and you said, it was my admission He told you to stand up but you refused. You
remained on the floor on the floor until the man brought the admission list out and included my name. For
this, I am grateful. You were indeed faithful to motherhood. You respected everything labelled GOD.
You never joked with your tithe. You never joked with your service in church. You never joked with your
love for the saints. You said sorry when you had to. You said sorry unreservedly. You said sorry with a
cheerful heart.
Most of all, you taught me how to make my own light to ward off the darkness of the world. Who will do
that for me now? I miss you so much!
I am sure you will continue to play this role in the afterlife. As you pass, may the good Lord go before
you to guide you, beside you to counsel you and behind you to protect you, and may your sweet soul rest
in perfect peace! Goodbye MUMMY M!
I love You Forever,

Your Son
Okechukwu Benjamin Okeke