Florence Ogude entered St Theresa’s Girls’ Grammar School in 1974. Bright eyed, cheery, and full of joy, there was a knowing in her eyes. To the discerning, it was apparent Florence was a child of promise. Before long, this was clear to all.

Florence was at the top of her class right from the beginning. She thrived and reveled in all things intellectual. She won admirably in debate, quiz, and poetry recital contests, becoming known in some quarters as the face of St. Theresa’s. What is more! She was appointed the Assistant Senior Prefect despite her rather small build. She was a leader in her soul.

She would go on to become a lawyer. Legend has it that she was a formidable lawyer. That was surprising to none, as she was one to excel in everything she put her mind to. She joined the St. Theresa’s fold again when the Old Students’ association began. And she was fire!

There, she was fondly known as Ifeoma, and mostly referred to as “Ify Legal” in recognition of her unmistakable sagacity as a lawyer. Her presence on the St. Theresa’s Old Girls’ platform was larger than life. The writing format necessitated by the WhatsApp setting perfectly suited her natural inclination. Ifeoma was a writer’s writer!

Time and again, she would write up a storm. And she was prolific too! Thus, she frequently regaled us with her brilliance, depth of thought, and her intriguing diversity of knowledge. This, not to mention the smoothness of her prose which made for a blissful and stimulating encounter every time.

We looked forward to her posts on the STC platform. They usually had the enviable potential of making one’s day. Someone once referred to her as the resident Commissioner for Information. Nothing truer! Added to that, Ifeoma was also the Commissioner for Education, and Global Affairs, Commissioner for Moral Re-armament, and Commissioner for Girl-child and Women Affairs. So, depending on the season, she could be found lecturing on any of a myriad of issues related to the listed interests.

An avid researcher, Ifeoma stayed up on many a night to prepare those “lectures”. Old girls usually woke up to a generous splattering of Ifeoma’s musings on the platform. She also enjoyed sharing her knowledge and professional experience with younger colleagues, often teaching them the finer tricks of the trade. As a mentor, she was unrelenting in bringing her mentees to par.

Ifeoma loved being a lawyer. This could only be so as her penchant for maintaining order was extraordinary.Seeing that the nascent STC Old Girls’ Association was running rudderless, she immediately set to work and singlehandedly, and pro bono, wrote a constitution to guide the association. The document was so elaborate and far reaching that it scared off many. Frankly, that constitution could have served a small country well. . . That document will forever be a salute to Ify Legal’s astuteness and generosity.

The announcement of her illness came to all as a shock. No one could have guessed that anything so devastating was lurking underneath all that energy. We all fell into prayer. Ify had the surgery and came out alive. We rejoiced and thanked God for His mercy. It took a while for our dear sister to bounce back, but she eventually did. Although not full steam, she was still unexpectedly impactful. She continued to take us to school now and again as she enlightened us and continued in her role as sweet mother and advocate for indigent girls and women around the world.Those causes were very dear to her and she never ceased to highlight them. We remained hopeful ...

Nwayi oma mu

The Great Bright STAR

The incomparable legal Legal

The utmost mover and shaker of STC

The Generalissimo of the Pen

Our never-a-dull-moment Brainiac

Our tireless bringer of general knowledge

And Global Initiative Awareness

The One to always move the ball forward

The ultimate stickler for Fairness, Truth, and justice

Our main She!

STAR (St. Theresa’s Alumni Risers) was born after the old association flailed and succumbed to the wiles of some. Ifeoma and others, determined not to allow a great dream and vision perish, came up with what amounted to a collective of like minds, willing to push beyond the traditional Old Students’ boundaries. We STARs must now pursue our vision and purpose with renewed vigor. Only that way can we truly pay tribute to Ify’s memory.

The sense of loss we felt since this revered Iroko fell is indescribable. Florence was integral to what made STAR tick. We lost someone who was arguably one of the most forward-looking, daring, and aggressive progressives in our ranks. Ifeoma’s vision and resolute sense of purpose were some of the main drivers for the formation of STAR. One cannot help but wonder if the vacuum she left behind can be filled, for she was unique in many ways.

Today, STAR extends her deepest and sincerest condolences to the Ogude and Wogu families. We may think we know a little something of your loss for in many ways, it is our loss too. But do we really! May you be strengthened in Ifeoma’s extraordinariness. She was a great daughter, a wonderful sibling, and an exemplary wife. Be thankful that you were blessed with her kinship for over half a century. The Bible recommends thanksgiving in all things.

To her beloved children, we say be consoled by your mother’s love and devotion. For although she may be gone, imprints of her love and devotion will remain with you forever. Her absence will sink them deeper into your spirit and they will grow to become a part of the fabric of your souls. In whatever you do, always remember whose child you are.

You were conceived and borne by a great heroine, a star to many, a stickler for order, fairness, and justice. You are the offspring of integrity, nurtured and raised at the altar of the Most High God. Like your mother, you are children of Promise for like begets like. Be conscious of who you are and never step down from your God-given pedestal. May your divine destinies shine marvellously with astounding accomplishments, divine health, long life, and prosperity.

May God’s love and majesty always go before you. As you grieve, remember that you have also gained 99 other mothers and counting. While we can never replace Ify Star, our Starry lights shall surely light up every milestone you hit from hereon.

Every sister STAR feels the pain of Ifeoma’s passing. This is indeed a great loss. We will miss the initiatives she often proposed, the awareness blitz she gifted us with so frequently, and most of all her fiery and well-reasoned arguments, and the infectious passion for action she always exuded.

Ifeoma, you may not be with us anymore, but you left us enough to work with. You left us enough to remember you by. Even as I write this, I see you bursting onto the platform after an uneasy period of absence, dumping a plethora of posts, and then, signalling a hurried exit with your favourite running emojis. And I smile, because now, I see tell-tale signs those hurrying emojis bore a hidden message...

May your memory, like your presence always bring sweetness. May we always remember you with a smile.

Adieu Florence Ifeoma Uchendu Wogu.

Rise in Power.

Dr. Julie Sobotie Olabisi

President, STAR

St. Theresa’s Alumni Risers (STAR)

(St. Theresa’s Girls Grammar School Ughelli old students’ association)