The 2nd Of “The Three Musketeers” Has Slept

By Ekeoma Ezeibe

Time was in 1982 in the Aba  Campus of the old Imo State University, now, Abia State University, when providence made me cross paths with Chinyere Ijeoma Otuka, my brain and beauty and Cordelia Chinedu Okpaleke, the adorable and dignified one.

The three of us bonded not just as friends but later as sisters, with our friendship involving all our parents and our siblings.

The friendship and sisterhood continued even years after we all left the university and like a thunderbolt in 2004, death, the bad reaper, struck and snatched our black beauty, Chinyere, from us.

Cordelia and I cried all the way from Lagos to Enugu to pay our last respects and drop flowers at her place of final rest. We cried right back to Lagos via Owerri.

With time, we managed to somewhat heal but never forgot the sunshine and warmth that Chinyere radiated among us.

Cordelia and I even struck a stronger bond that all the people in our adult lives till date, knew us and our nuclear families. Our husbands became good friends.

With her marriage, she moved to Aba and then shortly, to Abuja where she enjoyed the love and attention of a doting husband. Then, God blessed them with a beautiful daughter aptly named, Ihekerenma.

Inspite of our living in different towns, she and her lovely husband were with us at every milestone in my family. There was hardly a time that I went to Abuja without my visiting and enjoying her unmatched hospitality even if, it was to steal a moment to have a bear hug with her before proceeding to the airport to head back to Lagos especially on my day return trips.

Cordelia was my best friend.

Cordelia was my sister.

Cordelia was my children’s special aunt.

Cordelia had a heart of gold and always rejoiced for someone’s good fortune.

Cordelia was my confidant.

Cordelia was pretty.

Cordelia carried herself with uncommon grace.

Cordelia was a brilliant lawyer.

Cordelia was a good wife.

Cordelia was a dutiful mother.

Few months ago, she fell ill and we all thought it was one of those things that would blow over.

I saw her, as usual, and collected my usual hugs, sumptuous food, beautiful smiles while trading rib-cracking stories.

Nothing then prepared my mind for the worst but when I visited her now, in the hospital few weeks back, I panicked but still held unto faith, medical science and hope. It was instructive that although ill, she still looked very graceful with her shoulders held high. We hugged and held unto ourselves for sometime and it was blissful and indescribable. We walked around the hospital with her explaining things to me.

Her dutiful husband procured the best of medical attention for her and equally emotional support as he was practically by her side always. Her (my) lovely younger sister, Chinwe,  moved into the hospital with her inspite of her busy job schedule, to give additional support.

We thought she was doing well and that the worst was over, but we must bow to God’s will no matter how painful.

She therefore slept before midnight on Monday 7th July, 2025.

My heart bleeds very thoroughly!!!

I have lost my dearest friend and sister to the cold hands of death!!!!

But I have priceless memories to hold unto both of her and also that of the 1st Musketeer that went to rest. The two were the best of the three of us.

Sleep beautifully my two princesses, in God’s bosom.

Mrs Ekeoma Ezeibe, a Lawyer and accomplished Insurance Broker, lives and works in Lagos