OBONGAWAN ROSELINE MAYEN ESSIEN EDOHO

A.k.a. (ADIAha Nsekpong)

Born September 3, 1942 in Aton Essien, Ikot Akpandem, Okon, Eket LGA, Akwa Ibom State, in Nigeria to the late Chief Daniel Essien and Madam Angela Akpan Essien.Roseline is the first born daughter, which would prepare her for her role of matriarch of her family in later years.Roseline attended elementary, high school and Teachers Training College Education in Nigeria.All through her younger years she was a very devout Catholic serving in church organizations such as the Legion of Mary etc. which would later ignite leadership responsibilities within the church. Roseline was a choir member wherever she attended mass as well.

In 1956, she married the love of her life, Dr. Edoho B. Edoho.She joined her husband in Pennsylvania in 1960.This loving bond was blessed with three children; Ms. Ruth Ekaette Edoho, Essien Edoho (deceased) and Edoho B. Edoho III (residing in California).With many job opportunities for her husband, came travel to different lands.The Edoho family resided in New York City and then to the Capital District of New York State – Albany.Roseline held various jobs.She taught at Our Lady of Sorrows School in Manhattan and Street Academy in Albany.She was an active parent on the PTA for St. Margaret Mary School in Westmere as well.

In the midst of raising a family, Roseline continued with her education receiving her BA in Sociology and MA in Education from SUNY at Albany, co-incidentally the same institution that her husband became the chair of the “African American Studies Department” in the early 70’s.

The family returned to Nigeria in 1976.Roseline worked in the Ministries of Education in both Calabar and Uyo establishing opportunities for education in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.Roseline was an energetic and enthusiastic member of Catholic Women’s Organization (CWO).She became President of the Uyo Chapter and maintained this position for over a decade.She also served as Knight of St. John Catholic Society, continued with the Legion of Mary and was a member of St. Cecilia’s Choir at the famed Christ the King Cathedral in Uyo.

Sadly, Roseline lost her husband to cancer after 25 years of marriage.She became the sole breadwinner for her three children.In the mid-90’s she was crowned “Obongawan” (Chiefest) of Okon Clan by the Paramount Ruler of Okon for her dedication to the community in building several infrastructures such as:the much needed electricity, water to neighboring villages and organizing the indeginous women of the clan.

In 2001, after retiring as a Civil Servant in Uyo, she joined her children in New York.Insist to keep busy, she became a substitute teacher for New Rochelle School District and NYC Board of Education.She joined Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in New Rochelle serving in the: choir, the rosary group, and a small group of ladies who clean the church, all these duties she continued to do each week up to now.

After suffering several strokes, Obancawan Roseline resided at The New Jewish Home in Mammaroneck NY.

On January 17, 2019, Oboncawan slept peacefully with our Lord just a sunrise. Roseline Mayen was predeceased by her parents, sisters, eldest brother, Augustine Daniel, her husband Dr. Edoho Bassey Edoho, her son Essien. She leaves a loving family and countless friends to mourn her passing.