Tribute to Mrs. Ngozika Cordelia Ohajimkpo: A Jewel of faith, family, and compassion.

By Obianuju Gloria Uzukwu

In the still, golden dawn of November 27th, 2024, the earth fell silent as heaven welcomed home one of its finest, Late Mrs. Ngozika Cordelia Ohajimkpo (Nee Uzukwu), a woman of immense faith, kindness, elegance, and indomitable spirit. Her passing marked the close of a life that was not only well-lived but beautifully impactful, a radiant light that touched many and dimmed far too soon.

Born in July 1961 into the noble Catholic family of Late Chief and Lolo Raphael and Theresa Uzukwu of Umunkiti Umuosebe, Uzoakwa Ihiala, Anambra State, young Ngozika was raised with a strong foundation of faith, love, and service. As the third child in a devout household, she imbibed early the virtues of discipline, grace, and Christian devotion, virtues that would come to define every chapter of her life.

Her educational journey began at Mary De Queen Primary School, Uzoakwa Ihiala, followed by formative years at Uli Girls Secondary School and Azia Girls Secondary School. These years shaped her into a confident and purposeful woman, poised for the life of influence and service she would come to lead.

After her education, love found her deep, enduring love in the arms of Late Chief James Eberechukwu Ohajimkpo (Ezeonyeanoghi Aforjubereya) of Umuezuru Umuohi Okija. Their union blossomed into a family of five wonderful children, three sons and two daughters and eventually seven beloved grandchildren.

As a wife, mother, and grandmother, Ngozika was a wellspring of wisdom, warmth, and boundless love.

But her legacy was not confined to her family. It poured into her community, her church, and every life she encountered.

Mrs. Ngozika Cordelia Ohajimkpo was a staunch Catholic mother and a spiritual matriarch, whose devotion to the Church and the things of God was unshakable. As President of Zone 4, Woliwo Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) under St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Fegge Onitsha, she led with vision and humility. She was also a founding force of the Okija Women Association, Onitsha branch, where her leadership left a lasting mark.

Her faith found many expressions; she was an ardent Legion of Mary devotee, often seen lovingly tending to the image of the Blessed Mother, her heart full of Marian devotion. She was a fiery soul in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, a prayer warrior, and a joyful member of the St. Anthony of Padua Society.

Her voice carried the Word. Her feet walked in the mission of Christ. Even as illness attempted to still her, she continued to evangelize with courage, carrying the Good News wherever she could, until her strength waned.

Beyond the pews and prayers, Mrs. Ngozika was a dynamic businesswoman, industrious, intelligent, and enterprising. In Onitsha, where she spent most of her adult life, she was widely admired for her entrepreneurial drive and gracious presence. Her elegance was effortless; her laughter infectious.

But it was her heart that people cherished most. She was a giver, not just of material things, but of joy, time, and compassion. She found fulfillment in feeding the less privileged, sharing her home-cooked meals with that society often forgets. She gave clothes, food, love and in return, she earned the priceless title of “Adadioramma” — a daughter the community could never forget.

Even in the twilight of her life, as illness sought to dim her light, she remained a pillar of faith and strength. Her smile never faded. Her spirit never faltered. She uplifted others, even when her body was weary. And on that quiet November morning, she surrendered peacefully, surrounded by the prayers and love that had defined her life.

Mrs. Ngozika Cordelia Ohajimkpo leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured in years, but in lives touched, faith inspired, and love given freely. She was a mother, grandmother, sister, leader, friend, and above all, a woman of God.

She will be remembered for her beauty that radiated from within, her fierce devotion to Christ, her untiring compassion, and the grace with which she lived every single day.

As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate her life, a life that reminds us that true greatness is not in what we have, but in how deeply we love and how faithfully we serve.

Ka ife nke ndu ebebe chakwasi Mrs. Ngozika Cordelia Ohajimkpo (née Uzukwu).

Ka mkpụrụ obi ya zuo ike na ndokwa.

May her soul rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord she served so devotedly. Amen.