The Life and Times of Lady Louisa Ada Duru (Nee Nnaji).
4 min read
Birth: Mama Louisa Ada Duru (Nee Nnaji) was born on December 31, 1942 to the humble family of late Ụwaezuoke (a.k.a. Mmaji) & late Martha Chilasi Nnaji (both of blessed memory) in the Duruemenoba, Ụmụehiri Ụmụele Amazanọ ancient kingdom of Njaba LGA, Imo State, Nigeria. She was the second child and first daughter of the family.
Education: Mama started her primary school education at St. Mary’s Ụmụaka and obtained her Standard Six Certificate as it was then, at All Saint Primary School, Amazanọ from 1950-1955 with Distinction. She then proceeded to Christ The King Cathedral Secondary School (CKC) Aba, in the present day Abia State for her secondary education where she studied for five years from 1956-1960. Later, she developed the ambition to be a teacher and subsequently found herself in Bishop Lasbrey Teachers College Irete for her grade two (2) Teachers Certificate. She did not stop there. Because of the love she had for teaching profession, she proceeded to Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri, Imo State where she obtained her National Certificate in Education (NCE).
Service: Mama taught in many primary schools within the Imo State environs. Prominent among the schools she taught were New Layout Primary School Mgbidi, Riverside Primary School Isiozi Ụmụaka, State Primary School Ụmụele Amazanọ, and Inland Primary School Ibele Ụmụaka where she finally retired as Headmistress II. As a Catholic faith, she served as Secretary, Holy Rosary Catholic Women Organization for eight (8) long years. She was also a staunch member of Saint Anthony Novena, Odoziaku Women Association, Ụmụele Amazanọ Social Club, and other prominent organizations. You can see where and how her son copied his trait. Does an Ụdara fruit fall to far away from its mother?
Marriage: My mother got married to my father, Late Sir Vernatius Nwakaibeya Duru (aka. Manus Manus), who took her to the altar in August 1971. Their marriage was blessed with four children – Mrs. Ifeyinwa Flora Ọnwụegba (Nee Duru), Hon. Imperial High Chief Amb. Dr. Sir Enyiọha Ikenna Fortune Duru (Akụnaepuome 1 of Amazanọ Ancient Kingdom & Enyiọha Njaba GburuGburu), Ms. Ngọzi Vivian Duru (of blessed memory), and Mrs. Ijeọma Jennifer Chukwuneke (Nee Duru).
Hobbies: Mama’s hobbies include singing, dancing, helping the less privileged and youth as well as teaching. She was a staunch believer in our pure and unblemished tradition and culture, and endowed in their ethics, moral code, and rights and wrongs. This was the pot from which we drank and the hand/fingers that nurtured us. My mother lives on in us!
During her adolescent years and because of her stylishness, elegance, and distinction, my mother was regarded as the “Queen Elizabeth of England!” She was exceptionally beautiful, humble, and posh. As a result, the local Catholic Church often called her to showcase herself as the Queen Elizabeth of England. She would be beautifully decorated and covered with golden and sparkling lights. Then she would be staged in an equally decorated cubicle close to the altar.
The parishioners would be invited to view her with their presents. During that period, no one would recognize her as Louisa Ada Duru as her face would be shielded and masked with velvet clothes. Everyone who saw her inside her beautifully decorative tent would go out with the impression that he/she had seen the Queen of England. The news would go viral so easily as people perceived her to be real Queen of England without knowing that she was no other person than my dear Mom, Mama Louisa Ada Duru (Nee Nnaji, Mama Ikenna Fortune!). The selection of our mother from the midst of growing ladies in the communities as the most distinguished and decorated choice for this role is a joy and pride to us. How I wished we were as beautiful as she was, nonetheless, we are not too bad because a fruit does not fall too far away from its mother.
Mama, the very day you left us was the darkest day of our lives. You are a super mother, so loving, caring, and very sacrificial. You lived your entire life serving humanity. Every single day since your passing has been very difficult. I find myself very lonely, missing our moments together, and your gifts and advice. You taught me to love, respect, and serve. You were not only a mother but also my best friend. I’m all I am today because you were an exceptional mother. You’re a true picture of motherhood. Your kindness and compassion for others inspired me to be a better person.
Mama, you raised all your children in the way of the Lord. You taught us character, love, hard work, and respect for all. If I have the power, I will bring you back to life. And if there is reincarnation, I would want you to be my mother in the next world. When you left, I felt a part of me was lost. You were my model, my source, my strength, and my inspiration. Your life was well lived. You saw beauty in everything in life. You were always happy, loved, and full of optimism.
I pray that your soul finds eternal rest. Thank you for living such an exemplary life. Mama, gbawa ọsọ gị, gbakwuru Chi kere gị ebe ị ga-ezu ike n’ọrụ niile ị rụrụ n’ụwa. Jee ije gị nke ọma!
Adieu Mama!
Dr. Enyioha Ikenna Fortune Duru.
Akụnaepuome GburuGburu of Amazanọ Ancient Kingdom & Enyiọha Njaba GburuGburu.
