Ezinne Uche Iyiegbu was born on July 5, 1942 to the family of Mr. Lawrenceville and Mrs. Elizabeth Ibe, now late, of Uruagų Village, Nnewi. Uche was the first child and the first daughter in a large polygamous family. In her days, it was not common to give girls formal education, but her father, a Sanitary Officer in the colonial government of the Eastern Region, knew the value of education and saw things otherwise.
Like her heartthrob, Sir Alex, Uche grew up in Aba, which was the place of their birth and she had her primary and secondary education there. She attended the popular Comprehensive Secondary School, Aba. Subsequently, she became a teacher.
Her posting brought her to same locality with dashing and debonair Alex, who was already a tutor at Notre Dame High School, Abatete. They wedded in 1969. This saw Uche relocate to Oba during the Civil War. She continued her teaching career after the war at Central School, Oba.
Her instincts and dispositions as a wife, mother and culinary expert were honed during this period. Uche became preeminent in her home engineering roles. She also had to contend with the increasingly busy social life of her husband and his commitment to the service of the Oba community.
Soon, she was known as Odozi for the excellent management of her home and her husband’s resources. Her home thus became an embassy of sorts for many from far and wide. No one came in without drinking from her milk of human kindness. She was a mother of all. She trained many in preparation for their future life, especially the girl-child.
As a teacher, Odozi was conscientious. Due to her dedication to duty, passion and excellence, she became the headmistress at three different schools: Bright Primary School, Umuokokpa Õba; Community Primary School, Umuogali Õba and Central School, Abõji, Õba and she managed each school excellently.
Mama’s interaction with her pupils, who continued to pay her homage long after school, their parents, her staff and the heads of communities where she served, was nonpareil. The schools she headed made noticeable strides in academics, infrastructural development and in sports, for which she often found inspiration from her sports-loving husband. She was a quintessential mother, teacher, mentor, friend and philanthropist.
Odozi Akaeze’s quest for constant improvement and advancement of her career, made her one of the earliest to enroll when the University of Nigeria, Nsukka commenced a holiday programme for serving teachers. The Diploma she earned from the programme further cemented her status as a teacher.
After she retired in 1996, Odozi was not tired. She partnered with Chief Mike Enumah, now late, to birth Giant Steps International School, Õba. She became the pioneer Principal and later, a consultant educationist to the school. Shortly after nurturing the school to dizzying heights, she retired from academics. She devoted the rest of her life to serving God and charitable work.
In fulfillment of her Christian religious obligation, she was on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, earning the title of JP – (Jerusalem Pilgrim). She was also in South Africa and the United States severally. She was the Õgbųnechendo of the Iyiegbu clan far and wide. She lived a contented and pious Christian life. She supported her husband, Sir Alex Nnaemeka Iyiegbu, over 30 years ago, to pioneer the 7:00am English service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Õba.
In 1999, the couple was inducted into the Knighthood of Saint Christopher. Her home church, Good Shepherd Anglican Church, Abõji, Õba also conferred on her the title of Ezinne in August 2017.
Ezinne Odozi’s philanthropy was exemplary. As Ezinne, she had many people under her personal foundation, whose tuition she unfailingly paid.
Service of songs holds today at her compound, Aborji Oba. There will be funeral service tomorrow, Friday, July 16, 2021at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, Oba, followed by interment at her compound, Aborji Oba, thereafter, reception and condolences at Merchants of Light School field, Oba. Sunday, July 18, 2021 is outing service at Good Shepherd Anglican Church, Oba.
Ezinne Odozi Akaeze, your children: Sir Nnamdi Chu Iyiegbu, Mrs Ada Moore, Mr Ikenna Iyiegbu, Mr Obinna Iyiegbu, Mrs Nkechi Nuel-Eneh, two Sons in-Law, three daughters in-law, 21 grandchildren, family members, relations, colleagues, friends and well wishes are bidding you farewell.
WRITTEN BY SIR NNAMDI IYIEGBU
Comments are closed for this post.