Ezinne Gladys Amadi Goes Home In A Blaze of Glory

It was a carnivival of sorts. The atmosphere turned from mourning to testimonies. The audience that hitherto surged into the St Michael’s Catholic Church, Lagwa, Okwuato with deep heart of sorrow and misty eyes left with tears of joy, happiness and fulfillment.

Dateline was Friday, January 9,2026. The event was the burial of Ezinne Gladys N. Amadi – the wife of the irrepresible Mighty Joe (Joseph Amadi).

At the funeral mass which had the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, Most Rev Simeon Okezuo Nwobi as the chief celebrant and co-celebrated by 12 priests, the diocesan secretary, Rev Fr (Dr) Evaristus Mbata, described the late Gladys Amadi as an accomplished personality.

According to him, “I was the parish priest here for several years and I confirm that the Ambassador of Mary, Ezinne Gladys Amadi, was a woman of strong faith in God. She was a devout Christian and a devoted Catholic. As a matter of fact, she impacted positively on all around here. Most of the time she rescued all the societies she belonged to by picking their bills. She contributed half of the N60million used in reconstructing this St Michael’s Catholic Church building”.

A medical doctor and an indigene of Umunokwu Autonomous Community, Dr. C. O. Madu, lamented that the death of Ambassador Amadi was a huge loss to humanity.

He called the woman enterprising and lovely. It was Mr Louis Ukaegbu, a retired Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) director, that described Ezinne Gladys as a special gift to nature, who fitted wonderfully to the reasons God created her.

Tributes from all walks of life poured in and highlighted the deceased woman as ingenious, compassionate, graceful and amazing. The parish priest, Rev Fr Emmanuel Nwaoru, said “Gladys’ life was exemplary and impactful”. Catholic Diocese of Ahiara in an official tribute noted that ” She was a very committed and devoted Catholic. At morning masses, she was the main choister whose voice shrilled once the bell would ring for the entrance procession. There was hardly any day Ezinne Gladys did not attend morning mass. Her life touched many people; a friend to all; available and accessible. None would go to her and leave unassisted”.

In turn, all the priests that worked in Lagwa paid glowing tributes to her, including Rev Fr Bede Ukaibe, Rev Fr Fabian Njoku, Rev Fr Anaele, and even Okwuato priests like Fr Jude Nwachukwu, Fr Jude Anyanwu, Fr Godson Okoro, Fr Nwabueze, and many others.

Remarkably, the church was filled to the brim on her requiem so also was the reception in her compound annex.

His first son, Peter Chinedu Amadi, a senior banker, said, “Nne, you know I loved you so much, you know I would do everything for you, you know I appreciated all you had done for me and the family. I am hurt, it will not go very soon. But I trust in the power of God to heal”.

The second son, an accomplished international corporate personality, Mr Paul Nnamdi Amadi, enthused thus: “I never believed a day like today will come. Your selflessness knew no bounds. You will always be missed”.

Charles Chilaka, a close family relative summed it as follows: ” The last of my girls is gone. Who shall I run to? My your soul rest in peace!!!