WRITTEN BY OBI OKOLI
There is no jewel in the world as valuable as a chaste and virtuous woman. This is because a virtuous woman is not ruled by her passions; rather,

she passionately pursues an incomparable God. Ojiefi Bridget Nwakego Okoli was not just a virtuous woman but a damsel who feared God and respected others. She was an Amazon, a beacon of hope and a quintessential mother.
Bridget was born in 1924 to the families of late Chief Nwankwo Mmaa and Mrs Mgbechi at Umuanum Nibo, Awka council area of Anambra state. She was very beautiful, industrious and intelligent. In fact, her parents saw her as an asset to the family, the town and her nation, which later fulfilled in her life.
A good woman is hopeful. She is strong enough to make all her dreams come true. She knows love, therefore she gives love. She recognizes that her love has great value and must be reciprocated. In view of Nwakaego’s outstanding qualities and natural endowment, many suitors sought her hand in marriage at her tender age, not until she was betrothed at the age of 13 to Ozo Nwachukwu Okoli from Umudiokae Awka. God and a good life are the two things a man can have. Mama was like a precious stone to her husband, a cherished ornament to her siblings, children, household and neighbors.
Ojiefi Bridget Nwakego Okoli was a woman of many parts, humble and industrious; charitable and courageous. She spent most of her early life in Jos, where she gave birth to her sons, (Chief Obi Okoli and Ogbuefi Sunday Okoli). After the war, she became a textile trader at Onitsha, where she excelled meritoriously and eventually became an accredited distributor for UAC Nigeria Plc and many other local and international companies.
Ojiefi Bridget Okoli was a devout and dedicated member of the Catholic Women’s Organisation at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, Awka. She was a noble woman per excellence. A noble woman is proud of herself. She respected herself and others. Mama was aware of who she was. She neither sought definition from person she was with, nor did she expect them to read her mind. She was quite capable of articulating her needs. She was simply a noble diamond that was glittering anywhere she went.
Ojiefi had a dash of inspiration, dabble of endurance. She inspired others to reach the potential God gave them. Above all, God blessed her with long life. Hence, she was conferred with the title, ‘Iyom’ by the Otu Odu women society of Onitsha. Ojiefi Bridget Okoli was also recognized as the oldest woman in Ichide Awka. Thus, she was honoured with ‘Otochalu Ichide’.
Ojiefi Bridget Okoli died on February 2, 2018, aged 94. Left to celebrate her are: Chief Obii Okoli, Ugochimeleze, (Onwanetilora Awka), Group Chairman/Managing Director, Group Construction Company Limited and  Ogbeufi Sunday Okoli (Chinyelugo) – Sons. Other survivors are Chief Okey Nwankwo-for brothers, grand children, great grand children, nieces, nephews and other numerous relations.
Otochalu Ichide was a woman of the people, a mother in a million that touched many lives with her generosity and kind heartedness. She was many things to many people, some classified her as their heroine, and some say she was their mentor, while others saw Ojiefi Bridget Nwakaego Okoli as a peace maker, an adviser, a cheerful and generous giver.
There will be wake keep in her honour tomorrow, Thursday, April 19, 2018 at number 33, Obi-Okoli Avenue, Awka. On Friday, April 20, 2018, by 7am, her body will depart Eastern Medical Centre, Enugu to Umuanum village, Nibo for lying in State. At 10 am same day, there will be funeral Mass at  33, Obi-Okoli Avenue (Old Achala Road) by Okpuno/UNIZIK junction, thereafter, interment. Saturday, April 21, 2018, condolence visits will continue.  Sunday, April 22, 2018, there will be outing mass at Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Nibo. Mama, The Holy book, the Bible, is very specific about your sojourn on earth. It says there is time for everything- a time to be born and a time to die. Ojiefi, you came, you saw and you conquered. Adieu Otochalu Ichide, good night, nne mulu omumu. May your soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in the bossom of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen.

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