Biography
But as far as her father was concerned, no one was good enough to have her hand in marriage. However, Eze-Onyema II, with determination and love for his son, Valentine Benjamin Chukwuma Onyema, was convinced that in her, he had found a suitable wife and future queen for his son to marry. He proceeded to mount a relentless campaign for her hand in marriage to his son, the future Igwe Eze-Onyema III. Eventually, with the help of Mama’s uncle, Chief John Nsofor, Mama and Papa finally met and were married in 1948. Mama stayed for sometime with Papa’s parents before joining Papa at Port Harcourt where he was in the employment of G.B. 011ivant, a division of UAC of Nigeria.
Mama was a very beautiful, elegant and hardworking woman, a supportive wife and mother. After Papa was promoted to a managerial position, he was transferred frequently from one station of G.B. 011ivant to another. This necessitated his living in various cities and countless number of towns in the then Eastern Nigeria with his family.
Mama went to London in 1964 to study Home Economics. About two years after her return from London, the Nigerian civil war broke out. She moved her growing family to Ogwu Ikpele where they lived until the end of the war. At Ogwu Ikpele, Mama was able to hold her family together, cared for them and provided a reasonably comfortable life for them until Papa found his way safely back home. It was at this time that they inculcated in us much of our understanding of our roots and ancestry. Much of the cultural basis for our humanity and our vital roles as the link to the future was learned at this time. Mama’s optimism and determinism saw her family safely through this period unscathed.
After the civil war ended in 1970, the young Onyema family moved back to Onitsha and from there, subsequently, to Lagos. Mama continued to devote her life to the well being of her family, supporting her husband and helping numerous others from all walks of life. Papa continued to progress in his job and became the first Nigerian General Manager of G. B. 011ivant, a position he held until he retired in 1982. During Papa’s years as General Manager, Mama was very supportive, and played hostess to many distinguished guests at their official residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. Mama imparted to her children the spirit of unity, love and respect, and strict adherence to family values and practices. The saying, Behind every successful man is a woman,’ is very true in the relationship between Mama and Papa.
Mama’s presence in the life of Papa has been blessed with progress , prosperity and good fortune. Mama was a humble and courageous woman. She radiated love and cheerfulness, maintaining an atmosphere of laughter in her home. She was a peacemaker endowed with wisdom and truth. She was mother to all who encountered her, her children’s friends, family members, extended family members and friends. Her generosity and hospitality was well known and acclaimed by all. She was the pillar that held our family together, training, as it were, lots of future wives, mothers and husbands. She encouraged her eight children through their education and lived to see them all become professionals. As she sought Western education for her children, and even as she would tour several places in the USA and Europe with her children, she never forgot to educate them in our traditions and customs. She ensured that her children visited Umunankwo and Ogwu Ikpele at least once a year, were involved in various traditional ceremonies and age grade activities in the village and taught us various folklores popular in the Igbo language. Indeed, during her last trip to the USA, right after the 9/11 tragedies, she reiterated the need for love, for love conquers all evil.
She was supportive of the Onyema extended family and assisted in the training of many Onyema sons and daughters as she did for the Onumonu family. In 1976 Mama became Odobo (Chief) of Ogwu Ikpele after the coronation of her husband as Igwe, Eze Onyema III. Mama was a woman-leader in both the Community and Catholic Church. She was very devoted to her Catholic faith. She remained one of the topmost Life-members of the Catholic Women’s Organization both at St. Mary’s Parish Onitsha, and Kristi bu Chukwu Parish in Ogwu Ikpele before, during and after the Nigeria-Biafra civil war. She remained devoted to her strong Catholic faith in the various cities and towns she had lived and visited. She always ensured that various visiting church leaders were well hosted and attended to. Such dignitaries included, Francis Cardinal Arinze and Bishop Hilary Okeke. Indeed she met and shook hands with Pope John Paul II during his maiden visit to Nigeria at Onitsha in 1982. While in Lagos in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Mama was a successful businesswoman trading on imported textiles at the famous Balogun Market in Lagos.
Mama was very friendly with several businesswomen from Imo, Anambra, Lagos and Edo States and other places too numerous to mention. Following her husbands retirement in 1982, she continued her trading in Onitsha and Ogwu Ikpele where she rendered financial assistance to countless farmers and seasonal traders, including members of the Anam Communities working the lands and Agwes of the Eze-Onyema family. While in Lagos in the 1970s Mama was diagnosed with diabetes, which was well-controlled for several years. However, towards the last years of her life, she suffered terribly from diabetic complications. She was constantly in excruciating pains, which she bore with great courage, dignity and patience. Whenever we called on her in person or on the phone, she would always say that she was fine and be quick to ask after our own children, our spouses and our own selves instead, putting the welfare of her family as ever, before hers. Her condition worsened on the night of June 11 2005 and she was hospitalized at Menax Hospital in Onitsha. While at the hospital, she prepared herself and her family for her journey to eternity. She received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick and the Holy Eucharist
Mama was surrounded with the love and prayers of her husband, children and other family members who attended to her in the hospital. Mama gave up the ghost gently and peacefully at 10:30pm on Monday 20 June 2005. Odobo will be greatly missed. We are however confident that the Almighty God in His Infinite mercies has welcomed Mama into His Kingdom. We are thankful to God for giving Mama a blessed, well-lived and fulfilled life on earth, and for ensuring that all her dreams came through.
Rest in perfect peace our beloved Odobo !!
Amen !!