Lady Mabel Ozueaku Aleke was born into the family of John and Paulina Umeanuka of Ngo Village in Igbo-Ukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on 30 November 1953. She lived virtually all her life in Ezzangbo and spoke the dialect better than many indigenes.

She enrolled in St Joseph Primary School, Amike, Ezzangbo as her father lived in Ezzangbo then and passed out with a First School leaving Certificate in 1964. She immediately got married to her husband who was then a young civil servant but in view of the political crisis and ensuing Civil war, the union was solemnized through a Church wedding in 1971 by which time the union was already blessed with two children.

In 1974, she was privileged to gain employment as an Auxiliary teacher in her former school, which had been renamed and called Central School, Amike, Ezzangbo. In September 1976, she proceeded to the Women Training College, WTC, Enugu for her Grade 2 Teachers Certificate and graduated in July 1979. After this she rejoined the school staff in Central School Ezzangbo and continued her teaching career. This gave her opportunity to teach, train and model many young students, many of whom kept very close relationship with her till death. She continued her training in Educating gained a Professional Certificate in Education and National Certificate in Education, NCE from the renowned Dr Stan Ani’s Institute of Ecumenical Education, Thinkers Corner, Enugu between 1987 – 1990. She later proceeded to Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT where she gained a Bachelor of Science (Education) in Administration and Supervision/Agricultural Science in 1996. Dr Stan Ani’s Institute of Ecumenical Studies later awarded her an Honorary Doctorate Degree which was conferred on her publicly, but which title she never used at all. She crowned her academic career with a Bachelor’s degree in Law obtained from Ebonyi State University in 2017. How she managed to do this combining it with active service and her political career can be better imagined but all those who stayed close to her can testify she was a diligent student who had the discipline to read even at odd hours.

She was very committed to the Church all through her life beginning with active involvement in Holy Spirit Centre, Amovu village, through then St Joseph Centre which later became St Peter’s Parish especially in the Catholic Women group. She rose from the very grassroots and later in 1986 became the General President of the Catholic Women Organization, CWO, Abakaliki Diocese. She held this position till 1996 when she moved up to become Director, CWO, Abakaliki Diocese- a position she held till her passing away. She was at a time the Financial Secretary of CWO, Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province (which covers Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi States) and later the Provincial General President which entitled her to be a member of the National Council of CWO in Nigeria. She was a Knight of St John, KSJ; a member of District II Laux 382, an Honored Noble medalist by the Noble Temple in Enugu and Ist Respected President, Laux 382, Abakaliki.

In 1994, the Military Administrator of the then Enugu State, Navy Captain Temi Ejoor (as he then was) appointed her as the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, the only woman to be so appointed in the entire State. This was a vicarious moment that launched her political career. It is good however to note that the former Local Government Chairman, Comrade Jonah Egba, had appointed her the Coordinator of the Better Life for Rural Women for the Local Government – the program of the Late Miriam Babangida. This offered her great opportunity together with her grassroot mobilization and leadership in the Catholic Women Organization that helped her cease the moment when the opportunity came.

After her appointment as the Caretaker Committee Chairman in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, she also held the following position in Ebonyi State:

-Member, Ebonyi State Development Forum in 1997

-Member 1, Local Government Service Commission 1997-1999

-Member 1, Ebonyi State Primary Education Board, SPEB (as it then was) 2000 – 2002

-Member, National Constitution Reform Conference 2005

-Honorable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, 2007-2009

-Member representing Ohaukwu South Constituency, Ebonyi State House of Assembly 2011-2015

-Senior Technical Assistant to the Governor on Co-Operatives June 2017 – May 2019

-Member Local Government Advisory Committee August 2019 – the position she held till she passed on.

She was unable to complete her Bar Examinations which she deferred in view of the last election before she passed on. She was an Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Mediation and Conciliators.

She was most passionate about the issues of the Girl Child and in mobilizing the womenfolk in a bid to better the lot and provide more opportunities for women in every life endeavor. She was one of those who pioneered the Federated Abakaliki Women Association, FEWA and Abakaliki Women Association, AWA. She was privileged to have attended several trainings and conferences in USA, UK, India, South Africa, and other countries in Africa.

In December 2019, she became sick and after several treatment and visits with the Doctors/Consultants was diagnosed with Brain tumor. She went through the surgery in December 2020 and had shown remarkable signs of improvement and all pointed to a great Thanksgiving Service to celebrate this when a sudden twist ended the story.

The story of Late Lady Mabel Aleke will not be complete without mention of her care for the needy, the orphans and widows. She was a mother to mothers, had several sons and daughters, many she took responsibility for their training and upbringing. There were others she took into her home to help raise. She will be remembered by what she did to better the lot of many across board during her life- time

Left to mourn her is her husband, five surviving children and sixteen grandchildren, two immediate brothers, three sisters and many other close family relations.