Roseline Oyidie Okereke, known as “Mma” and “Mum” by her children and others variously as “Mama Dental”, “Nne Nganga”, “Ochomma”, “Mma Victor” and several other respectful and flattering nicknames. She was born Chijiago Ndebumadu about 1932, the second youngest child of the late Mazi Ndebumadu Amawokwuachi and late Mma Mgborukwe Ndebumadu of Amanagwu in Arochukwu. She was preceded in passing from this earthly world by her only older brother, Michael, older sisters, Mgboro and Mgbokwo, and younger sister, Esther.

After leaving an early first marriage, she married the late Mazi (ENGR) Crawford Okereke in 1952 at Port Harcourt. Mma and Dad spent the early 1950’s together living at Port Harcourt, Enugu and Nkalagu where Dad’s various jobs took them until 1959 when Dad left for London, England to continue his education

“A sacrifice to be real must cost, must hurt, and must empty ourselves. Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in his love than in your weakness.”...Mother Teresa.

Self - sacrifice and devotion to family and God, was the foundation of Mma’s life. Mma joined Dad in England in the early 1960’s and stayed through the late 1960’s. A period during which she sacrificed her education all in support of Dad’s college and graduate school education, and raising a family. Before her life was interrupted by the Nigerian Civil War, she spent parts of the late 1960’s with her family at Port Harcourt and Calabar before returning to spend the rest of the war period at Arochukwu.

As the Civil War raged on, and with Dad away serving the Country, and between dodging frequent Air Raids with five children, Mum travelled by herself to near and far markets to buy different goods, to resell in order to support her family. She “emptied herself” for the sake of her immediate and extended families.

“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve”...Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mma was well – known and could always call on others to assist in the implementation of personal or community initiatives. This was possible due to her commitment to serve others through several community groups, including, Nzuko Amanangwu – Enugu branch, Nzuko Arochukwu Women’s wing, Ezinne Oma Social Club of Arochukwu, Nzuko Inyom - Arochukwu, Ujari and Ezi Ovuru. She was a former leader of Nzuko Arochukwu - Women’s wing for seven years and Matron of the Federated Arochukwu Youths Association.

Mma earned personal respect and several recognitions for her Community, Humanitarian, and Christian services. These included, “Nne – di Ugwu”, “Mma Ochonma”, “Nneoma Ezinne”, and “Nne Nganga”. She was also recognized as, “Ezinne” by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria - All Saints Trans-Ekulu Parish, Enugu for her “immense” contributions to the Church.

Mma was an Entrepreneur and engaged in different types of businesses. With her wisdom, love, courage and infectious smile, she endeared herself to everyone she came in contact with both in Nigeria and overseas. She was successful in family, business and service to God. She had a sharp intellect, able to keep track of her various investments without written records. All the records were stored in her sharp memory. Even as her physical body began to fail her later in life, her mind remained as sharp as ever.

She loved her children more than anything in the world that even, as her health was failing rapidly, she held on strongly until she could see most of us for one last time before passing on from this earth. Mma had eight children - Lawrence, Nnennaya (late), Victor, Ijeoma, Mgboka, Mgbo (Late), Ivuoma (Late) and Sasha. She is survived by her living children, step children (Udonwa, Marble and Uche) and several grand and great – grandchild, son in – law, daughters in - law, granddaughter in-law, nieces, nephews and extended family.

The departed never wholly leave us. We never wholly leave each other. As the Lord said in John 11:25, “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

Good Bye Mma! Rest in Peace Mum, we will live to forever remember!

Biographical history provided by –

Dr.Victor O. Okereke [son] (On behalf of the entire Family)

R. I. P NNE DI UGWU!