ANA Leaders, State Chairmen Honour Late Mama Margaret Ukah At Funeral in Imo

ANA LEADERS, STATE CHAIRMEN HONOUR LATE MAMA MARGARET UKAH AT FUNERAL IN IMO

 

By ANA Media Team

 

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) honoured the memory of Late Mama Margaret Ugoeke Ukah, mother of the immediate past National President of the Association, Mr. Camillus Ukah, as national leaders, former presidents, state chairmen and members joined her family for her funeral ceremonies at Okrikama-Umuokirika, Ahiazu-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.

 

Among those who attended were two former Presidents of ANA, Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan, who is also Chairman of the Association’s Board of Trustees, and Professor Olu Obafemi. The current President, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, also attended alongside Professor Razinat Mohammed.

 

Other national officers present included the National Treasurer, National Vice President, Professor Obari Gomba, National Financial Secretary and former General Secretary of the Association, Mr. Maik Ortserga. State Chairmen from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Rivers and Enugu States, as well as the Chairman of the ANA Bayelsa State Branch, also attended.

 

The funeral programme featured a two-day free Medical Outreach and Crusade on September 23 and 24, followed by a special ANA Reading Session and Night of Reading and Tributes on September 24. The literary activities provided members and participants an opportunity to remember Mama Margaret through poetry, readings and reflections.

 

At the Night of Reading and Tributes, Mr. Jonah Okpabi Jr., Publicity Secretary of the ANA Rivers State Branch, presented Professor Obari Gomba’s poem, *Let the Drums Greet the Lion One*, from his collection, *Pearls of the Mangrove*. The Chairperson of the ANA Rivers State Branch, Madam Joyful Joy Esuku, also presented her poem, *The Night Serenade*, in honour of the deceased. Readings were done by other members of the Association. 

 

Professor Obari Gomba piloted the proceedings of the literary tribute, which brought together writers and members of the Association in an evening of poetry, remembrance and reflection.

 

The funeral service was held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Old St. Patrick’s School, Umuokirika, Ekwerazu, Ahiazu-Mbaise, followed by her interment at the compound of Late Mr. Louis Ukah, Okrikama, Umuokirika.

 

The participation of ANA’s leadership and members, alongside the literary tributes organised in her honour, stressed the Association’s solidarity with Mr. Camillus Ukah and his family while giving a distinctive literary dimension to the celebration of Mama Margaret Ugoeke Ukah’s life and memory.