Victoria was a beautiful, vivacious, independent and strong woman with an insatiable zest for life. It was impossible to spend any length of time with Victoria and not have a laugh as she had a fantastic sense of humor. A thoroughly outgoing person, she was the life and soul of the party, was happy to share her opinions and engage in intellectual debate on a broad number of topics where she was verbally as well as cerebrally quick. She was the very embodiment of the phrase – full of life.

Victoria was born 39 years ago. She was the sixth child and fourth girl of Mr. and (late) Mrs. Sunday Whyte Oton of Ikot Oku Ikono, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Victoria was an adventurous, happy child with a tendency to play good natured pranks on her mother and siblings. At an early age, she demonstrated a strong ability to be vocal in support of her sisters and women in general and she showed an intensely competitive trait with a go-getting attitude.

Victoria started off her education at Army Children Primary School GRA, Phase 2, then moved to St Ann's Nursery & Primary School, Rumuibekwe, both in Port Harcourt. Upon completion of her primary education, she attended the University Demonstration Secondary School, Choba where she obtained her WAEC. Victoria obtained a BSc in Environmental Protection and Resource Management in 2006 from the University of Calabar. With an insatiable desire for continuous learning and development, she moved to the UK where she obtained an MSc in Safety, Health and Environmental Management with merit in 2009 from the University of Glamorgan.

On returning to Nigeria, Victoria methodically started building her career and profile as a thoroughbred Health, Safety & Environmental professional undertaking several roles in Port Harcourt including roles and up to her most recent as HSE Supervisor at Eko Support Services in Lagos. She was so impassioned about all things HSE, a passion which showed in every action she took that she earned the nickname – Madam Safety!

Victoria married Olalekan Akinyemj in 2018 and was blessed with a beloved son, Zayne, in February 2021. Following the delivery of her boy, she experienced many complications which eventually led to her passing on June 13, 2021. Victoria’s was a life full of promise, a life lived to the full, a life of impact. She was one of those people you met in life and never forgot because she left an indelible impression. Even while she fought, all spoke about was Zayne, who will now grow up without the love of a mother. However, Victoria was comforted that her family would be there for her son. 

Loss of a loved one is an incredibly difficult experience and every single one of Victoria’s siblings and her extensive family and friends will struggle with her passing. However, amidst our grieving, we thank God for the privilege of growing up with Victoria and having enjoyed the gift that she was while she lived. We know that her suffering on earth has ended and that she will now be with her dear mom while the rest of the family wait to see both of them on the eternal morning when life will be unending.