The Late Mrs. Helen Uzoamaka Ejiofor, JP, was born on October 12, 1960, in Diobu, Portharcourt, in the present Rivers State, Nigeria. She was the second child and the first daughter of Late Chief Christian Ofomata Mbonu-Ike and Mrs. Dina Chinwe Mbonu-Ike of Ezinkwo Village, Ndikelionwu in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
When the Civil War ended in 1970, her late father, Christian relocated the family to Enugu, where Helen completed her Primary Education at Christ Church Primary School (now Uwani River Primary School), Enugu in 1974. She attended Girls’ High School Awkunanaw and obtained her West African School Certificate in 1979. She then proceeded to Teachers Training College, Enugu, where she performed excellently and graduated in 1982. At TTC Enugu, Helen met her beloved husband, late Christopher Ejiofor who was a physical and health education professional. Helen would later obtain her Sandwich ACE programme in Accounts from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, an NCE from Anambra State Polytechnic Oko and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Helen enjoyed reading and teaching throughout her career and lifetime. As a role model and school teacher since 1982, she guided, tutored, mentored and raised so many children in the old and present Anambra state until she joined the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission on secondment in November, 2001 as an Assistant Electoral Officer posted to Anaocha LGA, Neni. She later became an electoral officer-in- charge at ANSIEC, Anaocha LGA, until her retirement on the first day of November 2017, All Saints Day, the same day her beloved husband died.
The Late Mrs Helen Uzoamaka Ejiofor, the virtuous, supportive, caring, industrious and hardworking wife of Ogene one of Obeledu, was a peaceful, gentle, kind, and benevolent woman of virtue, whose passion was to help the needy and
provide succour for the less privileged. With her husband, she raised her five lovely children – Ikeobi, Chukwuemeka, Chidiogo, Adaora, and Echezona, and ensured that they are educationally, mentally and socially equipped.
The industrious Helen was the pillar of support to her husband, Christopher. Despite being a teacher, she merchandised in fresh groundnuts, sometimes travelling to Enugu and Northern Nigeria and engaged in farming to provide for the family. She changed her job to have enough time to care for her husband for the ten years he was ill.
Helen associated closely with other women in her community and held several leadership positions where she applied her talents and personal wealth of experience in service to her community. She served as the financial secretary of Obeledu Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) from 2000 – 2006 and Obeledu Progress Union, Women Wing, from 2008 to 2011.
Nwunye Ogene 1, ever smiling and happy, was truly a faithful and devoted Christian mother. She was a chorister at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Obeledu, and the matron of the regional choir.
On “Good Friday”, 7th April 2023, it pleased God to call her back home. Her last words to her family was, “Continue to live in peace, love, and care for each other (nodukwanu ofuma, netezikwanu onwe unu anya)”.
The Late Mrs Helen Uzoamaka Ejiofor is survived by her mother, brother, four sisters, five children among whom is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anambra State Water Resources Management Agency, Engr. Ikeobi Ejiofor and numerous other relations. She will be buried tomorrow Friday, 16th June, 2023, beside her husband’s grave.
Nwunye Ogene 1, May your pure, beautiful and gentle departed soul rest in eternity, Amen.
Written by     IKEOBI EJIOFOR
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