LATE MRS ANIRAH, DEVOUT CHRISTIAN AND STRICT DISCIPLINARIAN, SAYS FAMILY MEMBERS.
By: Joe Amina/Onoriode Etatsemi
Encomiums have continued to pour on the life and times of late Mrs Clara Anirah, the mother of the member Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Felix Anirah, described by members of her family as a devout Christian and an uncompromising disciplinarian.
Describing their mother on the strength of above virtues, the oldest son and retired school principal, Chief Thompson Anirah stated that their late mother will also be remembered for defending her children and those of the neighborhood from easy preys.
“Our mother, Tom Anirah disclosed, came from the reputable families of Pemu and Olojoba in Adagbrasa- Elume where she imbibed an orientation of discipline through her father and matrimonial background that were police officers of colonial era”.
According to Tom Anirah, “our mother’s legacy is hinged on the tripods of a strict disciplinarian, a devout Christian and generosity, a trait, being emulated by the larger family of Anirah, Pemu and Olojoba.”
She was an irrepressible woman and mother of truth and fairness in her neighbourhood with zero tolerance for any form of indiscipline including unethical conducts by young girls and boys in their blooms.
Tom Anirah, in a jocular expression, said their mother earned the nicknames of Akpaisa and Temlo- temlo owing to her un-curtailed criticism of wrongdoings among the new generation.
Mama Anirah, who is survived by seven children, including Delta State House of Assembly member, Chief Felix Uruemuesiri Anirah and others namely, Thompson, Esther, Philomena, Helen, Victor and Kingsley from the loins of Mama Clara Anirah.
Late Mrs Anirah’s brother, Mr Ovedje Pemu, in his comment said her late sister, Clara, was an embodiment of brain, beauty and impeccable character.
She was always protective of her children and relations as well as children of the neighbourhood.
Pemu added, my late sister had a free mind, a generous mother and sister, she provided food to the younger ones at family meetings, was good to everybody but quick in response to evil and abnormal acts of the youths.
Former Secretary, Sapele Local Government Council, Mr Ezekiel Olojoba, in her appraisal of her late aunt, said Auntie Clara was a woman of great value, who stood firmly for the families, the children and the three communities she came from.
Olojoba observed that Mama Anirah severally spent her money in cooking delicious meals to entertain members of the family whenever there was a meeting of the Olojobas.
She did her best in ensuring morality and good leadership among the women folks, as Olojoba quoted British Army General, Admiral Nelson’s advice at Trafalgar Square, saying, “England expect every man to do his or her own duty in order to build it and make the country stronger” (emphasis mine).
The former Council Secretary enjoined every member of the larger family of Anirah to emulate the sterling quality of their late mother through individual service to their communities.
Also commenting on her grandmother, the first grand daughter Mrs Aghogho Bobolo, harped on mama’s disciplinary trait, explaining, mama never overlook any form of wrongdoings in her house and the neighborhood.
The memory of her delicious soup especially the banga soup, spiced with periwinkle she taught me to cook is quite remarkable to me as a young mother and housewife today.
Granddaughter Aghogho noted that so many people including Sapele market women and the Catholic women organisation among others will miss the rare gem of a woman.
The late Mrs Clara Anirah, mother of Chief Felix Anirah will join her Ancestors on Saturday 26th February 2022 at Adagbrasa–Elume in Sapele local government of Delta State.
Dignitaries from all over the world, Nigeria, including who is who in Delta state, will grace the epoch making event.