Ngozi Jemima Obi was born on the 3rd of October 1934 in Agbor to the family of Chief Benjamin Ajuluchukwu and Grace Oranu. She was the first of five children and was often referred to as the carbon copy of her father Chief B. A. Oranu who was then a very prominent Chief in the old Mid Western Region of Nigeria.

 She attended Ugwuoba Girls’ School where she was already showing leadership qualities as a young child. Jemima as she was fondly called had a leadership and can do spirit and never believed there was anything she could not accomplish. Her father who was a minister in the Anglican Church also brought the family up with strict Christian discipline hence her love for the Lord and the things of God was imbibed as a child. Growing up, her father, a very successful business man, had lots of traders working for him. As a young girl of about 12, she would gather her father’s traders together to teach them how to read and write. This process started with just four traders and over the years grew in number to over 10 traders learning under her every evening. The achievement that the traders could read and write soon attracted more traders and with the help of the church they moved the evening class from her home to the church and other teachers joined her and the number grew. Her success on this programme was announced at the synod of the Niger Diocese in Onitsha and the Bishop of the Diocese adopted it as a policy and the evening classes for traders and other adults was introduced  across the Niger Diocese of the Anglican church. It could be said that the work of young Jemima gave raise what is called Adult Education in Nigeria.
 

Her love for teaching led her to W.T.C Umuahia Teachers Training College which was sponsored by the Anglican Church from where she graduated and started her teaching career. Her dedication was an example to other teachers. She was young and had the mindset that she could achieve anything.

 “Jemima could teach anyone. If she handled you there was no way you would not understand and pass your exams. I believe that she could teach the dullest of students and turn them into excellent students. I am one of her products.”

Benjamin Oranu - Brother

Her commitment to her job and the results she produced made her well known in the then region. The yearly recognition of the best teacher in the region was a focal point for rewarding excellence in teaching. Jemima won that award consistently for three years and on the third year, Chief Obafemi Awolowo then Premier of Western Region on seeing her remembered her immediately and commented on it.

Her excellence won her a Federal Government Scholarship to study Education in London. She travelled to the UK with other Nigerian students at that time and started her course in Education. During the process she found solace in the rich library of her school and was virtually residing in the Library.

You would always know where to find her, at home, in class, in church or at the Library. Fine Lady Beautiful and loving wife. Getting her was tough but it was worth it.  Stood by me through it

Emmanuel Obi – Late Husband

At the point of her completing her study, it was reported that after the Nigerian independence all the Librarians would return to the UK. With her love for books she enquired on what it would take to be a librarian. She was told that the degree program was for four years but was extended to five years for African students to make it easier for them. On further inquiry she realized that British students completed the course in three years. She would not accept that and started a program in Librarianship at the same university and completed it in two and half sessions setting a record for both African and British students. The development led to the Federal Government limiting scholarships to four years, if she could do it in two and half why should anyone stay beyond four years. she was not popular with Nigerian students in the UK at that time but we believe that her motivation was to prove that African students were as good if not better than students from any part of the world and that is so evident in what Nigerian students are doing all over the world. She was a trail blazer.

 One thing I must acknowledge was her strong character. She made herself known anywhere she found herself, never hidden, had an opinion on all subject. You could misunderstand her as many did but you could never question her heart for people

 

Nnamdi Obi - Son

 During her studies it appeared that she was not only a home, a class, church or library person as she met a young gentleman Emmanuel Ogugua Obi who was also studying in the UK at that time. The romance was strong as they found themselves great friends, companions and lovers. They got married in the UK on the 3rd of August 1963 at the St Mills Anglican Church UK to the surprise of many as she was seen as a career driven woman with ideas to build and change Nigeria after independence. {Insert picture 6 here}

 The union is blessed with two children Nnamdi and Ngozi. Ngozi died at an early age due to illness.

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I have often wondered why she came back to Nigeria immediately. If she had waited my dad would have been born in London and things would have been quite different. Just wondering

Onyeka Obi – Grand son

Having switched from Education to Librarianship, she returned to Nigeria in 1964, immediately joined the Federal Civil Service and was posted to the National Library of Nigeria. Here she continued her new found passion of getting people involved in Librarianship, promoting the reading culture and establishing libraries, especially in schools. She was one of the founding members of the Nigerian Library Association.

Her work was interrupted by the Nigerian Civil war and she had to transfer to the eastern region. That was a particularly challenging period, having given birth to her first child and living without her husband and other male family members who had gone to fight in the war. In this period of uncertainty and migration of several people, she rose to the occasion and supported her entire family during the war. She became a focal point for everyone left in the village and virtually all family members had to go to Ozubulu which was spared of the war when other areas starting falling to the advancing Nigerian army. She always found a way of ensuring that everyone had one full meal a day and had to create receipts that provided the required nourishment for people especially the children. The family house became the daily meeting point for the entire village as no one was denied food. The crowd grew so large that they had to transfer the destruction point to the church premises to accommodate the number of people. How she could organize, and most importantly sustain that project throughout the period was nothing short of a miracle.

Growing up in the family as a child, Mama Nnamdi or Sister as she was fondly called was always there for us. During the war period some of us did not know the extent of what was happening because she always provided for us. I and several others never lacked anything thanks to her.

Ikechukwu Olisa - Cousin

 One must however acknowledge the help of people, especially her husband, who saw the vision and would do whatever it took to donate food and other materials to support the initiative. There are very few people today who were in that area at that time that would not acknowledge the work done in the Oranu compound during the war and how it saved the lives of many especially children.

After the war she returned to Lagos with her family and rejoined the Federal Civil Service. She worked with the Ministry of Establishment, Ministry of Trade, setting up and running the libraries in other ministries and parastatals of government. She was transferred to the then Parliament Library (now National Assembly) to setup and support the legislative arm of government. She was later transferred to the Supreme Court of Nigeria Library as the Chief Librarian and within the period was able to compile the entire Laws of Nigeria into various volumes for easy access. This effort was commended by the then Chief Justice of the Federation Sir Darnley Alexander, SAN CFR, GCFR  (1975 – 1979). She also worked with the Federal Ministry of Justice where she ran the Library until she retired in 1987 having accomplished a successful career in the civil service spanning over 35 years and rising to the post of Chief Librarian a level 15 post. During her career in the civil service she was well travelled, attending courses and seminars around the world. She visited every continent in the world, including Australia, attending conferences and presenting papers on Library management. Her passport was once referred to as an album of visas.

During her active life, she was very involved in social activities especially in the church. She headed many women groups, was one time secretary of the Young Women Christian Association (YMCA), an officer of Girls Bridge of Nigeria and various Christian organizations

Mum was an exceptional woman, the best time manager I know. Anything she got involved in anything, she would take a leading role and still made time for the family. Nothing ever suffered; she could get more out of a 24 hour day than any one I knew. An exceptional mother

Nnamdi Obi - Son

Her marriage a pattern of a quiet but very supportive husband, and her out and about nature were a solid combination. Touching lives everywhere they went. Having been raised in a Christian home the need to continue in the way of the Lord was inbuilt. From being a pillar in the Anglican Church setup to her born again experience which took her to Victory Christian Church, Deeper Life Bible Church and back to Victory Christian Church she grew in spirit and the things of the Lord. Ensuring that no one is missed she would follow you up until you became truly converted.

Mum maintained a prayer book that had list of people she was always praying for. She spent time in prayer for her family and everyone where a need was identified. She would make little marks for answered prayer and would rejoice at testimonies.

Nnamdi Obi - Son

           

I admire the commitment of Mama and Papa Obi. There is no church program that you would not see them. Their commitment to things of God is a personal challenge to me

Arch Deacon Henry Eheba - VCC

 Under the mentorship of Bishop Harford Anayo Illoputaife and Apostle Nkechi Anayo, her walk with God grew immensely. After her retirement from the Civil Service, she dedicated her life to the work of God and her family. She went back to school to attend the Bible Faith Training College of the ministry and was later ordained a Deacon of Victory Christian Church. Her work in the area of helps was very glaring. She would not see any one in need and turn away. She served the Lord in any capacity that was available and was regular in every church program.

She was an exceptional woman, quite brilliant. She could hold her own in any conversation and on any topic. Had a strong memory and would not forget. Very strong personality. If she needed anything, she would call everyone she knows to get it and most times she is doing it on behalf of others. She loved her family and would do anything for us. If you had a challenge she carries it as her own. She always wanted the best for everyone

Uzoma Obi – Daughter –in-law

Grand ma was an amazing woman. Lady of Excellence she calls me. Wanted me to raid her trinket box for all her gold, old school really but quite nice. You are my Lady ‘E’ so look the part. Time spent with her always showed one thing - her passion for God and her desire to help. I have learnt that and much more. Will really miss her

Nkechi Obi – Grand daughter

Never would I forget the combination of Grandpa and Grandma. Close 11, heavenly.  when our house became a little hot, Close 11 was always there. She made us feel special. She would always quote that each of her grandchildren was special and that she specially went to heaven to get us and God help anyone who made us unhappy. I truly believed she would not hesitate to take a bullet for anyone us. That was the grandma I had and would miss.” Onyeka boy Man of God, my pride and joy” I will not hear again in the physical but I will carry on and make you proud. I shall be the best just like you have confessed over me severally.

Onyeka Obi – Grand son   

With the death of her husband, things seemed so different for her. She was actually struggling to go on. She had a vision to help widows and wanted to work with them. The plan was to relocate to the village with her supporter and start a new chapter but he was no longer there. The main support structure she had lined on through so many challenges was no longer there.

Grandma was an exceptional woman.  Did not like it when she relocated to the village and really felt bad. Her house Close 11 was one place I could escape to as there was no pressure there. She always saw me as a champion and I felt like it whenever I was there. She would encourage and pray and ensured I had whatever I wanted. The combination of Grandpa and Grandma was special. Nothing was impossible

‘Fumnanya Obi – Grand son

{I will miss Granma, don’t know quite what to say but I know that I will miss her

Kenechukwu Obi – Grand son

 She built a legacy of service to people. Our house at one time had people staying from one day to several months. She helped so many people, not with very much, but you knew she would be there for you. She had a plan and a backup for every situation.

 When she started planning to return to the village, we did not want her to go but she had a higher calling and needed to do it.

 There are widows whose hearts are broken just because they do not have enough to cater for their children. These are women who would go without just to see their children eat, go to school and succeed.

It does not cost that much. A small sum of N10,000 can make a whole lot of difference for these women. Setting them up in business or giving their children scholarship and other helps can turn their lives around

I believe that God has called me to do this for widows starting with the once in Awkuzu.

 

Deacon Mrs Ngozi Jemima Obi

 

This vison will not die. She might have gone to be with the Lord; she made and will still make impact in people’s life. She always wanted people to succeed and come to know Christ. She lived a very significant live, full of personal challenges but she overcame them all and is now resting in Glory.

 

“ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

2 Timothy 4 : 7 – 8  NKJV

 Please join us as we celebrate

 

‘A GOOD WOMAN’