Donatus Eleko
A music lover and dancer, a Jerusalem Pilgrimage, an astute business woman, and an Anglican Lay Reader, Lady Ezinne Eunice Nwabugwu Ibe (nee Chime), popularly known as Black Indigo has gone home.
She died at age 90, and was survived by all her children, including a business tycoon and Executive Vice-Chairman of Baywood Group, Chris Baywood Ibe, as her first son.
Baywood is the founder of a support group known across Enugu state as SAFE– Save Awgu Forum Enugu State.
The burial ceremony was held at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark’s, Isu-Awaa, Agwu, Enugu state, was attended by five Anglican Bishops, including the pioneer Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, who also was the pioneer Bishop of Oji River Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Amos Madu; the Bishop of Afikpo Diocese, Rt Rev.Paul Udege; the Bishop of Eha-Amufu Diocese, Rt. Rev Daniel Oliha, the pioneer Bishop of Awgu/Aninri Diocese, Rev.Dr Afam Ugwu.
The Bishop of Oji River Diocese, Rev. Dr. Ikechukwu Egbuonu and that of Nike Diocese, Rev. Dr. Onyeka Onyia, were both represented. Over 30 Anglican priests attended the burial ceremony.
Delivering the funeral sermon, the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Awgu/Aninri, Church of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Dr. Benson reminded Christians that every human being will one day die and will ultimately be remembered by their good deeds on earth. Bishop Chukwunweike urged the congregation not to take life for granted, stressing that life itself is sustained only by the mercy of God. He noted that no human being has control over how long they live, but everyone has control over how they live.
Quoting Numbers 23:10, the bishop read: “Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!”
He explained that the scripture teaches believers to focus on living righteously so that their end will be pleasing before God.
Bishop Chukwunweike warned against seeking blessings outside God’s will, noting that any blessing not from God could place a person on the wrong path. Using the story of Jacob, he explained that Jacob became more blessed only after he stopped running ahead of God and submitted to divine timing.
The life and times of Lady Ibe was a life of fulfilment and accomplishments. Like a warrior, she came, she saw and she conquered.
She was born in the year of the Lord 1935 to the polygamous family of the late Chimengwu of Isu-Awaa community in the present Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. She got married to Late Chief Benson Maduabuchukwu Ibe (Chinenyeze 1 of Isi-Awaa) from Umunevo n’Umuevee of Enugu Isu-Awaa Agwu Enugu State. Through dint of hard work and utmost faith in God, Lady Ezinne Eunice Nwabugwu worked extraordinarily hard from the cradles to rise from grass to grace
Her death was described as a glorious transition to eternity based on her Christian virtues and service to humanity. Her lifetime was very unique and the legacies she left behind are thrilling.
Therefore, it was not surprising that the funeral ceremonies to give her a befitting burial from December 18th- 21st December, 2025 were tagged- “BLACK INDIGO GOES HOME”.
The ‘Black Indigo’ left unparalleled foot prints in the sands of times in the history of the Isu-Awaa community, Enugu state, Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world. She was a unique mother and an example of motherhood, who suffered seriously to overcome challenges in raising and training her children. She didn’t allow her background to weigh her down. Amidst the obstacles, she was still kind and generous to all who crossed her path. Thus, it was not surprising that God Almighty in his infinite mercies blessed her children exceedingly as seen in Chris Baywood Ibe and his siblings who are all billionaires.
An empowerment programme to kick off her final funeral rites was held at the Ibe Family’s event arena at Isu-Awaa community
In the spirit of giving and care for humanity, which they imbibed from the late Ezinne Ibe, they gave out a bag of rice, a gallon of vegetable oil, and a sachet of Maggi cubes to 50 of the poorest families in each of the 21 Communities that make up Awgu local government area. In all, a total of 1,050 bags of rice, Vegetable oil, and sachets of Maggi cubes meant for the most vulnerable and 50 poorest families in each community of Awgu local government area were shared.
The event was memorable as Baywood Ibeh and brethren brought hope to Awgu families via that outreach.
One beneficiary, Mrs. Madueke Geraldine, reflected on the late Ibeh. “She was a woman of giving,” Geraldine said.
“She would always call you: ‘Sister, have you eaten?’ ‘Aunty, have you eaten?’ Seeing her son continue her work today, it feels like her spirit is still here with us,” she added.
For many, the outreach was not just a festive gesture, it was a chance to celebrate Christmas without hunger, a reminder that generosity can touch lives in real, meaningful ways.
Baywood Ibe said the largess was part of the legacy of giving they learnt from their mother. He likened her to Mother Theresa. Baywood noted that the reason for sharing the largess to the very poor also stemmed on the fact that not everybody among the rural dwellers will have the privilege to join in the enlarged event billed for Friday, December 19th.
Some of the beneficiaries interviewed by newsmen expressed gratitude to the Ibe family, describing the late Lady Ibe as very kind hearted and generous to all who came her way.
Ifeanyi Okonta, a beneficiary from Mgbidi Awgu, said the support came at a critical moment for many families struggling with the rising cost of living. He described the palliatives as a lifeline that enabled people to mark Christmas in a modest but dignified way.
The outreach also drew commendation from notable observers. Mr Lukas Udeagbara, former Executive Assistant to the Enugu State Governor, praised Ibe for extending love and support to the poor and needy, describing the gesture as a reflection of a compassionate heart committed to uplifting others.
On Friday, December 19, the usually serene and lonely community of Isu-Awaa was lively as various dignitaries and friends of the Ibe Family from various parts of Nigeria and beyond trouped into Isu- Awaa to join the Ibe Family in the church service to commemorate their late mother.
In his vote of thanks on behalf of the Ibe Family at the church service, Baywood Ibe assured that the family would continue to maintain the legacy of their late mother by supporting projects needed in the church. He asked the church to make a request since the family didn’t come with any material for thanksgiving.
The church requested a two storey building guest house.
This instant request from the church priest for a Cathedral guest hall was accepted by Baywood Ibe and he on behalf of the entire Ibe Family of Isu-Awaa, Awgu promised that the foundation for a befitting Cathedral guest house would be laid by the family in the first quarter of 2026, attracting praises and jubilation from the congregation.
There was lavish entertainment for friends and Special guests and other personalities, including the natives who identified with the Ibe Family.
Among the personalities who were at the church service was the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti; Former House of Representative Member Aninri/Awgu/ Oji River Federal Constituency, Hon.Toby Okechukwu; Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, the 2023 Labour Party Governorship candidate in Enugu state and Hon. Ikeje Asogwa, a former chairman of PDP in Enugu state,among numerous others.
Former Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka, Olisa Metuh, Hon. Martins Chukwunweike, the immediate past commissioner for Health in Enugu state were among dignitaries who featured at the grand entertainment.
Others included Princess Peace Nnaji’, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Eugene Eneh, Gabriel Oladekpo, Sir Chidi Nwokeabia, Prince Austin Nwankwo,the Insurance guru, Dr Raph Ezeoma, Dr Mrs Nkoli Anibogu,Dr Emeka Onah,Yakubu Yikassa,Prof.Victor Nnam, High Chief Enahoro and many others from different parts of the country.
It is worthy to note that the Nigerian Ambassador to Malawi, Amb. Ben Shida and Amb. Sam Umara from Uganda were at the reception.
Baywood Ibe commended all for coming to identify with the Ibe Family in their activities to mark their late mother’s transition to glorious eternity. He poured encomium on his wife, Pat Baywood Ibe, from Obosi as the secret on the success of the entire funeral arrangements.
He also poured encomium on his wife for the bountiful care of love she showered on his late mother. He thanked his brothers for the unity existing in the family and urged people to come and learn unity of purpose and brotherhood from them boosting that no third party can destroy the beautiful foundation of the Ibe family. He also thanked his sisters for standing together in solidarity with the family in unity, peace and love.
An outing church service to conclude the 4-day funeral was held at St Marks Anglican Cathedral, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Isu- Awaa, on Sunday, December 21st.
Governor Peter Mba of Enugu state; Alex Otti of Abia state; Deputy Speaker , House of Representatives, Right Hon. Benjamine Okezie Kalu; immediate Governor of Enugu state, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Senator Osita Izunaso; Senator Osita Ngwu , Senate Minority whip and Senator Okey Ezea; Executive Director Fidelity Bank PLC, Ken Opara; MD/CEO Polaris Bank Limited Kayode Lawal as well as Executive Chairman Awgu local government area Hon Uchenna Joseph Okolo expressed their sympathies to the His Majesty Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe and family for the loss of their Matriarch, asking God to grant them the courage to bear the irreparable loss.
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