In a world where greatness is often measured by wealth, political power, or social media clout, the life of Late Ezinne Princess Mrs. Gloria Ukamaka Nwora, fondly called Iruezigbo, presents a refreshing and powerful counter-narrative, one where character, service, compassion, and family define the essence of a truly impactful life. Her story is not one you will find in the headlines of tabloids, but it is carved deep into the hearts of everyone she touched.
She was not just the mother of Dr. Uche Nworah, a respected media executive and former Managing Director/CEO of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS); she was a mother to many. And even now, one year after her passing, her legacy remains vibrant, undeniable, and emotionally present in the lives of her family, friends, and community.
Born into nobility as the daughter of Warrant Chief Eduzor Ifeagwu of Avomimi village, Enugwu-Ukwu, Princess Gloria inherited more than just a royal lineage, she inherited the mantle of responsibility, the grace of leadership, and the heart of service. Her father ruled the Akaezi Quarters of Enugwu-Ukwu, encompassing Avomimi, Uruokwe, Urunnebo, and Orji villages, during the colonial period. That legacy of traditional leadership and people-first governance was deeply etched in her personality and would later define her adult life.
Her journey led her to Aba in Abia State, where she emerged as a successful entrepreneur, known not just for running a thriving food business but for offering dignity, refuge, and hope to those around her. Between the 1970s and 1990s, Amaka Restaurant, located first at her family residence on Ozubulu Road and later at Alaoji Market along the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, became more than a food joint, it became a sanctuary. It served not only meals but opportunities, warmth, and comfort, especially to young people from her hometown of Enugwu-Ukwu who had migrated to the city in search of greener pastures.
To them, she was not just “Mama Uche.” She was the mother figure they could rely on. A place to eat, a place to stay, someone to talk to, and a pillar of wisdom in times of uncertainty. Few women, particularly of her time, managed to run a business, lead in community service, raise a family, and still serve as a spiritual rock the way Iruezigbo did, with excellence, humility, and deep-rooted faith.
Her contribution to community development went far beyond her restaurant. For over 12 years, she served as Secretary of the Enugwu-Ukwu Community Development Union (ECDU) Women’s Wing in Aba, during the leadership of Mrs. Constance Egwuagu. Her selfless service during this time, especially in the absence of Barr. Chief Lady Ongodi Nkwoji, who was abroad, cemented her reputation as a dependable and unifying force. Later, she was appointed President of the Umuakwu Community Development Union (UCDU) Women’s Wing after the demise of Mrs. Juliana Okoye (Omenefife). She led this group with dignity and purpose until she and her husband relocated to the United Kingdom in 2003.
Even in faith, she was deeply rooted. Alongside her husband, Nze Edwin Okonkwo Nwora (Nkaonadi), who passed away in 2020, she helped build Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Umuagbai, Aba. There, she served as leader of the St. Anne’s Christian Mothers Group, while her husband led the Christian Fathers Association. At St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Enugwu-Ukwu, she continued her spiritual involvement by leading the Aba branch of the church’s women’s wing.
Her spirituality was lived, not just professed. It informed every decision she made and every relationship she built. It reflected in how she raised her children, how she treated her neighbors, and how she approached leadership, with love, patience, and reverence for God.
To her family, Iruezigbo was more than matriarch; she was the emotional and spiritual glue. With her husband, she raised six successful children, George, Uchenna (Uche), Peter, Charles, Chinyere, and Ifeyinwa, each of whom has carried forward her legacy in their own lives. But it was perhaps Uche, her second son, who most visibly carried the torch of her values in public service and media, earning national respect during his tenure at ABS.
To her grandchildren, she was a storyteller, a teacher, a warm embrace, and a keeper of the family’s rich cultural heritage. Her home, wherever she lived, be it in London or Enugwu-Ukwu, was always open, always alive with joy, food, and that rare maternal peace that only true matriarchs can offer.
In 2017, in recognition of her decades of service, leadership, and love, she was honored as a Life Patroness of ECDU Women Worldwide. It was a fitting recognition, though many who knew her say no title could ever fully encapsulate the depth of her impact.
When she returned to Nigeria in March 2024, no one could have known that she was returning to complete her earthly journey. Two days after her arrival, on Good Friday, March 29, she passed away peacefully, as though heaven had called her back during the holiest of Christian weekends. It was symbolic. A life of sacrifice ending on the very day Christians mark the ultimate sacrifice.
She was laid to rest beside her husband on Friday, June 21, 2024, in her beloved hometown of Enugwu-Ukwu. And though the physical chapter had closed, her legacy continues to live on, in her children, her grandchildren, and the multitude of lives she touched in silence, away from the cameras, in kitchens, churches, and community halls.
As Uche Nworah and his siblings mark one year since their mother’s transition, their hearts undoubtedly still ache. Grief, after all, has no timetable. But this moment also presents an opportunity, a sacred one, to celebrate a life that was nothing short of extraordinary.
Uche, wipe your tears, not because your loss is less significant, but because your mother’s mission was fulfilled. She lived well. She served well. She loved deeply. And in doing so, she left behind a legacy that time cannot erase.
In a country and generation still grappling with broken values, selfish leadership, and shallow legacies, the life of Princess Gloria Ukamaka Nwora stands tall, a reminder that greatness is measured not by titles, but by the lives we build and the love we give.
May her soul continue to rest in perfect peace, and may her memory remain a guiding light to all who knew her. Amen.
