Clara Ugioro Asemota Isong

Nov 20th 1940 - Jan 24th 2014

She was born during the Benin Kingdom UGIORO - the centenary traditional ceremony that is usually held every one hundred years by the Benin monarchs.

 

Her birth is the very last of such ceremonies in Benin City. That is the meaning of her native name, UGIORO - to God be the glory.

 

She was born into the royal family of Oloton family of the Late Pa Omorodion Asemota who was a goldsmith by profession at Ukpoasia Road, Isekhere Quarters in Benin City, Edo State, in the early 1940's.

 

Her late grandmother Aikpkitanyi Onurode Woghiren is a descendant of Iyase Nohemwen in Ihogbe living quarters, meant for the Benin royal princesses in Benin City till date, extending to Evbiemwen Street, off Wire Road.

 

Her late biological mother Omoghohun Comfort Woghiren is a direct descendant of Ekokhenomweoghe (Okoronigbon) Uwoghiren the 1st Obamedo in Bini Kingdom, who himself was a descendant of Obanosa who reigned in the 9th Century in Benin City (Edo no Oba aye).

 

By right, Sister Ugioro was of an earthly princess-hood, but now she is more of a heavenly royal Princess which is by far better (2nd Corinthians 5:8) - Alleluia.

 

Sister was an enterprising and industrious young girl who was tutored in General Merchandise by our late mother who was a sales agent with the John Holts Company Ltd. along James Watt Road, Benin City, before we were born. Anytime our mother sent her out for sales, she returns quickly with the cash made, and she was given other sets of things to go and sell. She attended CMS Girls School, and also CMS Girls Secondary Modern School, now Imaguero Teacher's College, along Sapele Road, Benin City, and her was the very first set to begin CMS Secondary Modern School in 1955-56 session.

 

She got employed as an Auxilliary Nurse in-training and she was sent to Evboghae in Orionwon East Local Government Council for the training and working in the LGA Maternity Home there. She was smart and smashing in the blue and white uniform with Florence Nightengale headcap to match her dark ebony skin complexion.

 

Thereafter, Sister Ugioro left Benin City to Lagos and stayed briefly with our late maternal Aunt Omovbaria Woghiren at Obalende. With her ability in business experience she acquired from our late mother, now settled down to do business at the popular Oyingbo Market at Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

 

She was with her other friends like Mrs Oriri Meggison, Mrs Edomioya and with other igbo women were the pioneer traders in the secondhand clothing now known as 'Tokunbo' from Cotonou in Benin Republic to Oyingbo Market in the early 1960's where she made good fortune.

 

She could also be ready to lay down her life to defend anybody she found was being humiliated unjustly.

 

She was very bold and strong amongst her female and male peers while they were growing up at 53 Forestry Road (the abode of the Obamedo's a.k.a. Idumwum Ewaise (nee Eboebo)) in Bini Kingdom, and she could also be very jovial in her light moods as we grew up together, but don't go to her no-go areas.

 

We thank God that she died peacefully on Friday @4th of January 2014, at the age of 73, as a repentant communicant Christian in the Anglican Communion Church she belonged to throughout her lifetime. As a sweet mother, fondly called 'Mummy' by many people who came her way everywhere, and as a grandmother, a hard-fighting spirited Sister-in-Christ indeed.

 

We will surely miss you, Sister mi.

 

Finally, we are grateful to God Almighty who touched her life with many marks of Christ upon her path here on Planet Earth.

 

Adieu Big Sister until the Lord's day, Amen.

(By younger brother)

Rev. Dr. Ehonwa Festus U.N.

 

She is survived by -

(Children):

Edwin

Abiodun

Ojere

Patricia

Koko

Kaypee

Owen

(Grandchildren):

Nejo

Telvin

Osasenagha

Aisosa

Sharon

Salome

Rita

Angel

Gen

Tyrone