TENDAI MWARI (Be Thankful Unto The Creator)
On Thursday 14th May 2020 we will celebrate the life and say goodbye to our dearly beloved sister Nkechi Ode, who passed away on 30th March 2020.
Sis. Nkechi was a stalwart member of the Alkeb-Lan Revivalist Movement for seventeen years, whilst being active in the community for many more.
“And as her Ka hovers over her Khat, awaiting the moment when we shall lay her to rest and her Ab awaits the final judgement of Asar, we continue to sing our praise songs and dance our praise dances in celebration of a glorious life, lived for the liberation of our people. We do so, confident that she will indeed rise like Ra on the wings of Ma’at…
Thus, the tears now flowing from our aching hearts will be as libation, strengthening our sister’s spirit in its ascendancy, until that appointed time, when we shall duly summoned her irrepressible spirit to empower us in the liberation fight – A powerful spirit, intimately connected.
Let us also, in our contemplations, bring to special focus the precious son of Sis Nkechi and our duties (individually and collectively) to him and her, to be there for him solidly and consistently as he seeks to overcome this devastation.”
Rumbidzo kuna MWARI ye Afrika (To the God of Afrika be the Glory).
Tendai MWARI“
– Bro Ldr Mbandaka
Watch the Passing Over Ceremony, conducted by the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement, lead by Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka here:
Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement
Homage To a Fallen Warrior:
Sis Nkechi Ode
(24th November 1964 – 30th March 2020)
She’s Royal
It is with deepest love, affection and honour that we move this tribute to our dearly, beloved and most esteemed sister, Sis Nkechi Ode. As such, we send our profound condolences and healing meditations to her mother, Mama Vivienne; Son (Young Brother Jawanza); grandchildren (Larisa and Jelani); her sisters, (Maureen, Andrea, Patsy, Jackie); nieces and nephews (Ashley, BJ, Aaron, Tyrese, Darren, Remi); and other family members.
In the song ‘She’s Royal,’ artiste, Tarrus Riley, hails the Afrikan Queen, as Royal, so Royal, one of a kind, moving to her own beat, with the qualities of a queen, having a natural beauty, needing no make up to be a cutie. Bro Tarrus could well have written this with Sis Nkechi in mind.
It seems surreal that we are on the cusp of laying our sister to rest. In fact, this Movement remains suspended in a state of shock and incredulity – not to mention excruciating grief – at the sudden loss of such a wonderful person; such a cherished Member of our Movement and our community.
Our Beloved Sis Nkechi joined the ARM in 2004, following an intense induction programme designed to harvest the finest qualities of our Afrikan personality for membership of an Afrikan communal family, building a movement for our peoples’ total liberation.
Sis Nkechi’s impact on the induction programme was instant. Her radiant personality, enhanced by a glowing smile, made her presence delightful, from the outset. With a charming ease, she made acquaintances and built relationships among her peers. This congenial nature coupled with an infectious enthusiasm, soon made her one of the most popular in the group. As Mama Vivienne said:
“She was a winter baby with a sunshine personality.”
We were soon to discover how popular this sunshine sister was. Just about any name you could mention, Sis Nkechi either went to school or college with them, worked with them or raved with them. Yes, she did ‘confess,’ that she loved a good rave. Of course, ‘Confession’ is good for the soul.
Perhaps her strongest impact on the course was her capacity for critical self-reflection, as well as her ability to empathise with others. Week after week, the air of expectation and attentiveness in response to her profound, words grew increasingly palpable. This impressed upon recruiters that we had a highly valuable prospect in view.
Suffice to say, that our beloved Sister flew through the course with high accolades and joined the Movement with her six year old son, Prince Jawanza. It was, expressly, as much for his future benefit, as out of her own interest that Sis Nkechi joined the Movement, being impressed with its programme for children and young people.
Anyone who knew Sis Nkechi for a minute would realise how precious Jawanza was to her. He was her “handbag,” as Mama Vivienne would say. She raised her prince within the Movement, ensuring he attended its Shumira (worship), its Imani-Day School, its children’s programme and its Rite of Passage programme, as well as numerous cultural events: Kwanzaa, Mosiah, OMX Observance, Afrika Liberation Day, etc.
It was a measure of how greatly our sister was inspired by the spirituo-cultural ethos of the Movement that she sought to imbibe this in her son. Sis Nkechi loved her Afrikan culture, her Afrikan spiritual traditions, her Afrikan garments and she loved her Afrikan history. She was also a huge admirer and a staunch devotee to the legacy of The Most Eminent Prophet and King His Excellency: Marcus Mosiah Garvey (Hail Him).
In her sixteen years of service to the ARM, Sis Nkechi remained a model of fervent commitment to the Movement and to our community as a whole. Her depth of devotion to the liberation of our Motherland and people was total and uncompromising. She was always hard working, reliable and sacrificial in the cause: the first to volunteer her service, her personal resourses, or to make a financial contribution; thus registering a deep sense of duty.
Sis Nkechi was also profoundly principled. She stood firmly on the side of what she understood to be right and in defence of whom she thought was in the right, regardless of who was on the other side. She was in earnest to see our movement attain and maintain levels of excellence in all its undertakings. She therefore challenged the membership, especially where she felt we were tardy in delivering on an undertaking, or a collective agreement.
Consequently, in a relatively short time, Sis Nkechi was promoted to the rank of senior officer. Assigned to our education department, she rendered sterling service as Administrator for our Imani-Day (Saturday) School, the Alkebu-Lan Academy of Excellence and often supported lessons. Every Imani-morning she was present, not only with, Prince Jawanza, but also with her niece, Princess Remy and nephew, Prince Tyrese.
She also actively supported the Movement’s Rites of Passage programme, co-ordinating parents’ consultations, to prepare our young people for adulthood.
As a strong advocate for the empowerment of women, Sis Nkechi exuded an unmistakable strength and dignity in Afrikan womanhood. She helped to organise Alkebu-Lan Sisters’ Circles, sometimes hosted in her home. Sis Nkechi’s research and presentations to the group were always thorough and instructive; oft urging fellow sistrens to raise their game.
Sis Nkechi also distinguished herself as a talk show host, for our radio show, Afrika Speaks With Alkebu-Lan, on Voice of Afrika Radio, covering in Sis Kai’s absence. She was a dynamic public speaker, who opened and compared a number of Movement events; BUT BWOY SHE COULDA TALK! Once she was cranked up, there was no stopping her.
In addition to serving the movement with great diligence and industry, for more than a decade and a half, this remarkable Afrikan Queen touched the lives of every single member, in a very personal and meaningful way. Concerning herself with their wellbeing, she was a friend and a confidant who gave sound advice, backed up by amazing acts of kindness.
One such act occurred every Kwanzaa (26th December – 1st January), when Sis Nkechi would host a family dinner in her home for members who lived alone and did not have families who would engage in the celebration with them.
This personal touch of Sis Nkechi’s extended to every child and young person in the Movement, all of whom she had a maternal connection with, always showering them with love, warmth and affection. In fact, most of them had, at some point, slept in her home. This made ‘Auntie Nkechi’ a favourite auntie in the Movement.
Such kind, caring and charitable qualities reached far beyond the bounds of this Movement into the community, where our sister would oft times be the first to offer to call or visit a sick or needed sister or brother.
Sis Nkechi was also loyalty to the Movement’s leadership. She demonstrably respected its authority and was often vocally supportive and empathetic towards its burden of responsibilities. This would sometimes extend to tidings of appreciation and reassuring personal phone calls.
However, this loyalty must not be mistaken for sycophancy. Sis Nkechi, let it be known, was never a sheepish follower, a spineless fawner, or a servile self-seeking flatterer. Her loyalty was principled, borne out of deserving respect. In fact, it was so principled that it sometimes assumed the form of a timely challenge – vigorously, if deemed necessary.
But hers was a candour that was undergirded by respect and good intentions. And once she had said her piece that was it. She did not hold a grudge. As a matter of fact, that glowing smile – cheeky even – would be present to greet you the next time you saw her.
Equally, Sis Nkechi possessed the rear quality of being self-critical: always willing and able to see and own her own errors and shortcoming and ready to acknowledge same and apologise – publicly or privately. Furthermore, she would accept reprimand or firm counsel.
She also took the issue of accountability very seriously, showing due regard for the rules and regulations of our movement: seeking leave of absence, apologising for lateness and taking to task those who would flout the same.
This speaks to the quality of iwa-pele (balanced character) – as taught to us by our noble Yoruba Ancestors – evidently inherent in the character of our sister.
Truly, our beautiful sister displayed the finest example of commitment to and the right character for a liberation movement. Her contribution to this movement has been immense and we are eternally grateful to MWARI (God) and Mudzimu-Mukuru (the Great Ancestors), for blessing us with such a phenomenal individual, in our Faith Family and in our personal lives.
We also say tatenda (thank you) to Mama Vivienne and to the late father of Sis Nkechi for producing such a beautiful and highly blessed daughter.
This Movement is a better Movement, because Sis Nkechi, served in it. Each one of our lives is richer and each one of us is a better person, because Sis Nkechi came into our lives.
Our love for our beloved Sister will remain deep within our hearts; our memories of her will live on. Where ever the name of this Movement goes, the name Nkechi Ode will go. How-ever high this movement will rise, just so high will the name Nkechi Ode rise.
And as her Ka hovers above her Khat, awaiting the moment when we shall lay her to rest and her Ab awaits the final judgement of Asar, we continue to sing our praise-songs and dance our praise-dances in celebration of a glorious life; a life lived for the liberation of our people and for the joy of being an Afrikan. We do so, confident that she will indeed, “Rise like Ra on the wings of Ma’at…”
Thus, the tears now flowing from our aching hearts will be as libation, strengthening our sister’s spirit in its ascendancy, until that appointed time, when we shall duly summon her irrepressible spirit to empower us in the fight for liberation – A powerful spirit, intimately connected with us.
Rumbidzo kuna MWARI ye Afrika
(To the God of Afrika be the Glory).
Tendai MWARI
Bro Ldr Mbandaka,
(On behalf of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement)
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