WRITTEN BY OBIAJULU OBIEGBUNAM

Born in July 1953 into the family of Mrs Esther and Mazi Onyeabor-Okoro of Imenyi Village Ahaba in Isiukwuato L.G.A. of Abia State, Iyom Patience Nneoma Obiegbunam was the first of five children. She attended Methodist Township School, Umuahia where she did part of her Primary Education. She later returned to Ahaba Imenyi Central School to complete her Primary Education and received her First School Leaving Certificate in 1965.

Nneoma gained admission into Modern School Nsulu but was cut short by te cvil war. At the end of the war, she joined the Red cross society and aided in the rehabilitation of people who suffered from kwashiorkor and many other diseases.

In 1972, Nneoma returned to Aba and joined the Nursing staff at Saint Anthony’s Hospital, Aba. She got married to Chief Michael Nweke Obiegbunam (Ofulume) of Obeagu village Agukwu Nri.

In 1979, Iyom Nneoma ventured into confectioneries business and grew to become very successful. She was a major distributor to many companies, including, Dubic Industries Ltd., Lever Brothers, Cadbury Plc, Star Paper Mills Ltd., Total Nig. Plc. and others.

Iyom Patience Nneoma Obiegbunam also ventured into Transport and Logistics business. She provided transport services in the petroleum industry where she worked with Total Nigeria Plc. Despite her little education, she was able to grow her husband’s business as an independent marketer with Total Nigeria Plc. In 2002, she won the United States of America Lottery Visa and relocated to the US to continue her business with international interests.

She remained a key distributor in many companies. With great assistance and support from her step-daughter, Iyom Patricia Nebedum, she became an American citizen and retired in 2008 from active business.

After losing her beloved husband in 1989, she single-handedly and successfully raised her four children to an enviable class. She fought through widowhood at the age of 36 and became the youngest Iyom title holder at young age of 33 (nicknamed IYOM DE YOUNGEST).

Unfortunately, she died on July 29 2020 following a protracted illness, which started in 2017. This was after she lost her sight in 2009. Before her death, Iyom Patience Nneoma Obiegbunam was a devoted Christian who supported the Catholic Church in many ways. She was a woman of strong character and a great achiever who believed in the gains of hardwork.

Iyom Patience Nneoma Obiegbunam will be remembered as a woman of strong determination, who rose from a very humble beginning to an enviable height and exhibited an unprecedented entrepreneurial drive to the admiration of many.

She is survived by: Chief Obiajulu Innocent Obiegbunam, Oba Kelvin Chiedozie Obiegbunam (sons), Mrs Loretta Adaobi Onuorah, Mrs Chinelo Nneoma Ogbonnia-Okoye (Daughters), Iyom Patricia Ifeoma Nnebedum (step Daughter) and Chief Kizito Udeagha Obiegbunam (step son).

Others are Mrs Chineme Emeagwara (sister), Mazi Okoro Onyeabor and Mazi Okoro Oji Onyeabor (brothers) as well as Akudo Obiegbunam, Iyom Ego Obiegbunam, Nneka Obiegbunam (daughters-in-law), Chief. Sam Ejike Nebedum and Mr Arinze Ogbonnia Okoye (sons-in-law) and seventeen grand children.

Vigil mass holds today at her residence, Chief Michael Obiegbunam Close behind Nri General hospital. Tomorrow, there will be funeral mass at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Nri, followed by interment and condolence visits. On Sunday, November 1, 2020, thanksgiving and outing service will take place by 9am at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Nri. Adieu IYOM DE YOUNGEST!

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