The late Professor Helen Nkechi Okoye fondly called “Nkee” by the family was born on the sixteenth day of August 1976 to late Chief Joseph and Ezinne Victoria  Ugwu of Mgbagbu Owa in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State

The late Professor Okoye  had her primary education in Model

International Primary School, Babiko, Kaduna.

She got admission into Federal Government Girls College, Bakori, Katsina.

She studied Pure and Industrial Chemistry in her first degree at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and was awarded the best graduating student in her department in 1998.

She earned a master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry in 2005 at the University of Port-Harcourt and moved on to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka where she obtained her Doctorate degree in Environmental Chemistry between 2006 and  2012 and took up a lecturing career in the Department of Chemistry at the institution.

Her dedication and hard work were evident on the different roles she was called upon to play, including being a Head of Department; and later rose to professorship in 2023.

Professor Okoye got married to Engineer Emmanuel Okoye and  their marriage was blessed with four children: three girls and a boy. She lived a life dedicated to her family and found joy in the role of a wife and mother.

Life took an unexpected turn when her husband tragically lost his life in a ghastly  road accident on the fourteenth of January 2024. Despite her heartbreaking loss, she remained steadfast, drawing strength from her faith. She faced the pain with unwavering courage ensuring that her family remained united and strong.

She had a profound devotion to Mother Mary and the rosary. She made the rosary a constant companion guiding her through joys and challenges with an unwavering trust in God’s plan. She was not only a woman of prayer but also a person of action, she lived her faith daily volunteering in charity organization, block rosary centers, schools and parishes. Until her death she was a member of the Legion of Mary and the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. She was a pioneer member of the group that facilitated the National Rosary Rally of Catholics early in 2023.

At the fullness of her time, on the third of January 2025, the God she had served so fervently called her back while she was surrounded by her loving family.

The loss of Professor Nkechi Okoye has left a void that can never be filled. Her impact was profound. She was a source of strength to so many people. Her kindness, courage, truthfulness and unshakable belief in the power of the Rosary is unquantifiable. May her legacy inspire us all and draw us closer to God.

Adieu, Nkee!

You will always be missed and never forgotten.

Rest in peace.

ENGINEER  BONAVENTURE  UGWU

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