A Tribute to a Great Mother and rare Dame. By Chief Okechukwu Ojinnaka.
3 min read
Today we gather to celebrate and honour our dear mother Mrs Patience Uwakaraonyenma Ojinnaka (Nee Nwosu) – Omenka. She touched the hearts of everyone she encountered with her humour, kindness and radiant smile.
It is a huge responsibility to write a funeral tribute to anyone. And especially so, when that tribute is to your dear mother. As such when my siblings and I decided that we will write some tributes as a parting gift to the greatest woman we have encountered, the woman who is the reason for our existence and whose imprint we bear, I was overwhelmed. How do you fit the life of such a remarkable woman into a few words and even fewer minutes? Mummy was not just one of the most important parts of our lives; she also touched the lives of many in a remarkable way.
Mummy was born in June 1947 to Nze Nwosu family of Umuyota, Umuawa – Alike, Ohuhu , in Umuahia , Abia State. She attended Orie Amenyi Primary School and remembers dressing up in her prim and proper school uniform on school days as well as returning to what was then a Methodist Primary School for Sunday school classes on other days. Mum would regal us with stories of her school experience thus awakening in us that love for school. In hindsight, I believe that teleportation to her school days via the stories she told us and there were many of them, must have left us desiring those same experiences hence making us look forward to attending school. Am sure we can all agree that school, particularly primary school, can be very daunting for most children. But Mum made it very appealing.
Mum attended the Women’s Training Colleges at both Oron in present day Cross River State and Umuahia Abia State where she obtained her Grade 2 and grade 1 teacher’s certificates respectively. She later enrolled in the then College of Education, Ijaniki Lagos for her National Certificate in Education (NCE). Her teaching career culminated in her appointment as head teacher of Falomo Girls School, Lagos. A position she occupied until her retirement.
Due to her training, experience and dedication to early childhood development, Mum decided to set up a tuition centre for the children in our neighbourhood. Naturally this venture which started with us her children having a regime of extra maths and English lessons from the balcony of our home in Lagos, grew to attract scores of children from all around the neighbourhood. Mummy had to now hire a few other teachers to help with the lessons. I have a fond memory of later volunteering to teach younger ones at my mum’s lesson centre.
Mummy’s contributions did not go unnoticed hence her appointment onto the board of the Eti – Osa Local Education District as its secretary in the 80s.
Mummy, your profound impact did not just stop at your career as a teacher. You sat on the executive council ( Exco ) of many organizations ranging from Umuaka Development Association , Catholic Women Organization, Odoziaku Social Club to others too numerous to count . Each time serving as the Secretary General. As a foremost women leader you were one of the arrow heads behind the building of the Girls Secondary Technical School, Umuaka and you went on to serve as the first chairperson of its board of governors. This and the role you played in coordinating your fellow women to remodel the maternity ward at Umuaka Community Hospital and the launching of a dance album by Umuaka women in Lagos in the 80’s are some of your contributions that readily come to mind , dearest Omenka Nwanyi .
During your active years you regularly worked as returning officer for national and state elections. Coincidentally you departed this world on an election day.
Mummy you left us a rich legacy and words are not enough to express our gratitude. We can only say thank you for planting the seeds of greatness in every one of us. We love you and you will forever remain in our hearts. I will end by repeating your favourite phrase in your last days ” lhe nile ga adi nma ” . Thank you mummy for this phrase is a beacon of hope and a ray of light in our darkest moment. Rest in peace, Nnem.
