Lady Lilian Izonfadei Amba-Ambaiowei was born in Ebute Metta in Lagos Mainland on the 16th of March 1953 to late Chief Steven Henry Egbejenowei Oweibia of Bulou Orua and late Mrs. Amaseimokumo Oweibia (Nee Berekpobogha) from Amatolo, both in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. She was the third of her father’s eighteen children from three wives and second of her mother’s four children. She attended Ansarudeen Primary School Lawanson, Surulere Lagos, Nigerian Peoples High School Ebutte-Metta, Ijebu Igbo Girls Grammar School and St. Barnadice Oyo.

The young Lilian met the love of her life, Sir Dr Amba Ambaiowei in her relatives’ house who also happened to be a friend of his. He made his intentions known to her and to her greatest surprise, just few weeks later, the young doctor proceeded right away to her father; a strict no nonsense man, to introduce himself and ask for his consent to marry pretty Lilian. They were married in 1972 and later on moved from Lagos to No: 165 Igbesanwan street Benin as her husband had secured a job as a resident medical doctor at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Lady Lilian had her first fruit Ebiere while in Benin and catered for eight of her husbands’ young nephews and nieces as her own. In 1974, she joined her husband who had relocated to England, having secured a job in Edgware General Hospital, London. They later moved to Hanwell where her husband worked in Hammersmith Hospital and thereafter, Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow. During that time, she was blessed with more children in London; namely Bekere, Tariladei and Bomene. She enrolled into Pitmans College London to major in Secretarial Studies while her husband continued his medical practice.

Lady Lilian resided at her family home at Sellons Avenue, Harlesden, London before returning home to Nigeria to join her husband who had been appointed as Honourable Commissioner for Education in Rivers State by the Melford Okilo government in 1979. While in Nigeria, Lady Lilian was again blessed with more children; namely Tonyi, Esinkumo, Waripamo, Edisemi and Pereowei.

Lady Lilian was a fashion icon; or in more modern terms, a fashionista. She believed that style was a way to express who you are without speaking and as such developed a growing interest in fashion designing. On her return to Nigeria, she went into hair dressing, fashion designing and tailoring for years, supplying school uniforms to nursery and primary schools as well as secondary schools.

Due to her strong passion for education and an inspirational quest for knowledge, Lady Lilian returned to school, having trained all her children to graduate level, and obtained a BEd in Sociology from the College of Education Iwofe, Rivers State. Thereafter, she proceeded to do her post-graduate diploma in Sociology in the University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. She obtained a MSc in Sociology at the Ignatius Ajuru University, Rivers State and was at the verge of achieving a PhD until her untimely death. Lady Lilian was employed as a Senior Administrative Officer at the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Lady Lilian was the pioneer Vice-President of the National Council of Womens Society in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and belonged to several social clubs in Port-Harcourt and Amassoma. Lady Lilian was a philanthropist who had a generous heart of gold. She couldn’t bear to see loved ones in distress and was always willing to lend a helping hand to the needy.  

A devout Anglican; Lady Lilian Amba-Ambaiowei was invested as a Lady of the Blessed Virgin Mary at St Peter’s Church Deanery Yenagoa by the Rt. Reverend Emmanuel Okwuchi Oko-Jaja; Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta West on Saturday 19th of March 2011 by virtue of her husband, Sir Dr. Amba Ambaiowei’s Knight of Saint Christopher (KSC) knighthood on the same day. The investiture ceremony was very solemn but colourful and attracted dignitaries from all works of life. The presiding bishop described knighthood as an honour bestowed on men and women who have distinguished themselves in character and noble accomplishments for the good of humanity. Lady Lilian was also knighted for her exemplary life in her community and her availability for service in the church.

To her husband, Lady Lilian was a caring, supportive and loving wife. She was a home maker in the true sense of the word and dedicated most of her life to taking care of and nurturing her children until they came of age. To her children, Lady Lilian was the epitome of steadfast motherly love, tough sometimes but all together patient, kind and not self-seeking. The kind of love that always protects, always trusts, always forgives, always hopes, always believes and always perseveres. Lady Lilian was an Iron Lady. She believed strongly in the Christian doctrine of spare the rod and spoil the child, so she instilled sound morals and discipline in all her children the old-fashioned way; with tender loving strokes whenever any of her children defaulted.

Lady Lilian was fluent in Yoruba by virtue of her upbringing in Lagos and Ijaw languages. She used all means necessary to share life experiences and lifetime lessons with her children. She was an avid storyteller. Inspired by growing up in post-colonial Lagos in the fifties and sixties, she would gather all her children on a mat under the moonlight at night, when NEPA happens, and tell ancient Yoruba and Ijaw folklore, sharing experiences of her childhood past. The sound of her sweet voice singing echoed life lessons, instilled wisdom and built foundations of character that moulded the personalities of her children.

Lady Lilian loved music of various African genre including Nigerian, Congolese, Cameroonian and South African Music. She loved to sing and dance while cooking, and to her children, this made the appeal of the food more enticing. She was a strong advocate for gender equality at home. She believed that the rights, responsibilities, opportunities and aspirations of her children were independent of gender, as such, she showed her daughters how to fend and taught her sons how to cook. Lady Lilian loved to crack jokes, she always saw the funny side of every circumstance.

She is survived by her husband; Sir Dr Amba Ambaiowei MFR JP, Nine children; Engr. Mrs. Ebiere Daunemigha, Barrister Mrs. Bekere Clark (Esq), Dr. Tariladei Amba-Ambaiowei, Mrs. Bomene Eronmwonsuyi, Mr. Tonyi Amba-Ambaiowei, Dr. Mrs. Esinkumo Isaac, Engr. Waripamo Amba-Ambaiowei, Mrs. Edisemi Adonkie and Engr. Pereowei Amba-Ambaiowei, three Step-Children; Mrs. Patience Timiyo, Arc. Eseimokumo Amba-Ambaiowei and Mrs. Oyinkuro Ekpar, Twenty-One Grand Children, Eleven Step-Grand Children, brothers, sister, cousins, uncles, aunties, nephews and nieces. She will be sadly missed by all. May her gentle soul find eternal rest in the bosom of our Almighty Lord, Amen.