Memories we shared
Marietta, (this is how you were called in Aba), I can not believe that you are now with the Lord. We share a long history. Our well educated husbands were recruited by Ukpabi Askika, then Administrator of East Central State, to come back home to help reconstruct after the Civil war.
All of us packed our lugagges, kids, and left our parents, very sad, behind. Some of us came to Nigeria by ship ! Some settled in Enugu and had to move again with our husbands, children, and lots of luggage when Imo State was created. The roads were very bad because of the bombing during the war. Enugu-Owerri was a day's journey !
We settled in Aba, then a very industrial town, full of life and activities. Remember Ariaria International Market ? We have seen Aba come back to life after the war and we have seen Aba collapse again due to bad government. We were all part and parcel of Aba.
This is when I met you and the other expat wives (the onyeochas). We were quite many at the time, from all parts of Europe, USA, Jamaica, India, Philippines. Then we started our "missionary work" ie to send our husbands young relatives back to school, to make a comfortable home for our families, organize games and swimming competitions at the Club (with the help of Clifford, the faithful guard of the Club).
What about our Igbo lessons ? We were keen to learn our husband's native language. How did the project collapse ? We had decided that we would learn Central Igbo. We started our lessons then, as we were married to men of various "towns" (Owerri, Nkwerre, Ohafia, Ngwa...), we started arguing : "this is not the way it is said in my husband's village"... Then we stopped. Fortunately, our children did not fall into this trap and learnt Igbo the right way.
Do you remember how Owerri Road Primary School was created under the leadership of Mrs Emeruem ? All our children were going to Santa Maria, then it became overcrowded and it was decided that Owerri Road P.S. would be ideal for the kids living on the other side of the city. We had excellent teachers (one of the best, Mrs Chikwendu, Primary 6). Our children had a very good primary education and preparation for further studies (Fed. Sec. School, University).
Do you remember that as members of the PTA, we designed the new school and ceremonial uniforms ?
And so many other things ! If I were to continue, I could write a book.... So I will stop by wishing you a peaceful rest. You will always be in my memory.
Au revoir.
Lorette