By Obinna Kalu
On Sunday, November 27, 2016, the cold hands of death snatched away my elder sister, Mrs. Edith Oji Uko (Nee Kalu Onugu), whom I fondly called Sister Edith. Though, that Sunday was very bright, as the sun was gleaming, the shocking news completely removed the joy, and brightness of the day. The rest of that day, and the weeks that followed were characterized by hurt, pain, fear and sorrow.
I quite understand that death is an inevitable end of human existence, and the Holy Bible says clearly that “it is appointed unto men once to die….” Again, I know that death is an inevitable event that we must come to terms with, especially if we are serious about our spiritual development. But, I consider the time appointed for Sister Edith to die as rather sudden, untimely and painful. It is still mindboggling to imagine what life will mean to her surviving five children, relatives, friends, community members, professional colleagues, the church, and the entire people of Abia State after she would have been committed to mother earth today, Friday, February 10, 2017.
Born on October 15, 1958 to the family of late Chief Dickson Kalu Onugu of Umu-Ibe Okwara Compound and late Nma Lucy Kalu Onugu of Ndi Iro Compound, Asaga Ohafia in Abia State, Mma Teacher, as she was popularly called commenced her educational pursuit at the age of six. She had her primary education at the St. Paul’s School Nsukka, Enugu State, and completed it at the Uma Ukpai Memorial School Asaga Ohafia, Abia State where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC). She continued her educational career at the famous Queen of the Rosary Secondary School Nsukka, Enugu State where she obtained her West African School Certificate. She was further admitted into the Teacher’s Training College Isiala Ngwa L.G.A. where she also obtained her Teachers Grade 2 Certificate. In the quest for higher certificate, she attended University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where she obtained her Associate Certificate in Education (ACE), and Bachelor of Education (B.ED).
On graduation from the Teachers College, Mrs Uko was posted to Ohanze Isiala Primary School in Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State where she started her teaching career. From there, she was transferred to Army Children School, Ambele Primary School, Otodo Primary School, Ebem Primary School, and Ogbokwe Primary School all in Ohafia L.G.A. While at Ogbokwe Primary School, she held the post of Assistant Headmistress for many years. Thereafter, she was transferred back to Otodo Model Primary School where she also held the post of an Assistant Headmistress until her demise on the 27th of November 2016.
As a revered and committed woman leader, late Sister Edith contributed a lot to community development. Until her demise, she was the woman leader of Egwuana Age Grade Amudara branch, Asaga Ohafia. She was also a one-time General Secretary of Asaga Development Union (ADU) home branch. She belonged to many women organizations in Asaga such as the Professional Ladies’ Association, Ohafor ladies’ Association and National Association of Professional Women. She played active roles in these organizations. She was renowned for her uprightness, and love for humanity. As an illustrious community leader and educationist, she contributed in no small measure towards the social-economic growth of her community, Asaga. Indeed, she has left a legacy of excellence, courage, selfless service and philanthropy, and will be deeply missed by those whose lives she had touched.
She was a good and a devout Christian who loved God, and humanity very well. What never ceases to amaze many was the way she struggled and managed as a widow to bring up her children in good Christian life. It is a thing of joy that in our today’s society where many believe that widows hardly raise children with good morals, Sister Edith succeeded in raising and equipping her five surviving children with good moral values and sound education. In fact, it is a thing of joy that three of her children are graduates, while the remaining two are university undergraduates. Members of Presbyterian Church, especially in her local church in Asaga Ohafia will certainly miss her melodious voice as a chorister and an active member of the women’s Guild where she served as Assistant Secretary for many years.
Before, the demise of my mother in 2014, Sister Edith was obviously my second mother. In fact, most of the times, not minding the fact that my mother was still alive; I sought her advice on sensitive personal and family issues. Indeed, up till today, I have never regretted any action I took based on her counseling. Our relationship was so close that, she stood in for my mother during my wedding in 2007. I cannot also forget in a hurry the financial support she and her late husband, Chief Oji Uko, gave me during my studies in the University and the Nigerian Law School. Even with their meager and delayed salaries, she and her husband were willing to sacrifice just to make sure that I did not drop out of school. I cannot count the number of times they borrowed money for my education.
With the demise of my mother in 2014, Sister Edith became a uniting figure in the family, and she stood strongly for me and my siblings. In fact, she competently and graciously continued from where my mother, Nma Lucy stopped. Her regular counseling on love, forgiveness, unity, and peace cannot be forgotten in a hurry. Whenever she noticed any crack in relationships, she quickly took steps to facilitate mending of fences. Despite her good nature, she quite understood that as a mere mortal, she too was open to mistakes; as such, she often apologized whenever she realized that she acted or said something wrongly.
Sister Edith, I will try and take solace in the fact that it was God’s appointed time for you to rest in His bosom, and that you lived a good and fulfilled life no matter how short it was. You were a precious gift to your children, siblings and our generation. Yours was a life of peace, beauty, sacrifice, patience, grace and love. No wonder you touched lives positively in so many ways.
Dr. Kalu is the General Counsel/ Company Secretary, The Sun Publishing Limited
I will forever salute you, Sister, because you taught me how to remain calm even in the midst of provocation and injustice. The thought of your support, sacrifices and love for your children cannot be easily erased. The only regret is that you did not live long to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Since it is appointed unto a man to die once and return to the creator, I cannot question God’s will but accept his decision faithfully knowing that all mortals shall embark on the same journey someday. Mma teacher, although you are no more, you will live in my memory. Sleep well Sister Edith, Goodbye Mma Teacher, Adieu Mma Nnanna, good night Nwanyi Udo. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace till we meet to part no more.
Dr. Obinna Kalu is the General Counsel/ Company Secretary, The Sun Publishing Limited