Biography Of Late Madam Mmirimma Ogbonnaya
FAMILY BACKROUND –
Madam Mmirimma Ogbonnaya was born into the wealthy royal family of Late Chief Abuga Ogbonnaya Igbo & Ugoeze Nwannediya in Ndiekentaukwu kindred in Umueze – Amamba, Uzuakoli Ancient kingdom on 16th November 1939.
She grew up as a very intelligent pretty girl who had dreams of becoming a medical doctor but the demise of her parents at an early age terminated these dreams. She never gave up rather she struggled to train herself and acquire comprehensive education. She started teaching at a very young age in the former Eastern Nigeria before proceeding to Germany to study Nursing.
While in Germany she had her only child Mr. Chigozie Chibueze Ogbonnaya. Mmirimma was also blessed with a daughter in-law, Dr. (Mrs.) Fammie Vahyala Ogbonnaya, and three lovely grand children - Benjamin Gozie Ogbonnaya, Jeremy Chimela Ogbonnaya and Amy - Fammie Mmirimma Ogbonnaya.
Mama was keenly interested in playing a supporting role in her family and had nephews and nieces she cared for as her own biological children, some of who are: Mrs. Chioma Okorie – Haidara, Dr. Uwadilachi Okorie, Dr. Onyems Okorie, HRH Eze Uchendu Okorie, Mr. Chinedum Okorie, Mrs. Alozie Ndubuisi and Mr. Oliwe Okorie. Also she extended her care and kindness to Chinyere Gina Arisa, Ihuoma Obike, Chioma Justus, Chinedum Ogbonnaya, and Onyinyechi Eze etc.
Mama’s loving and kindhearted nature made her nephew’s spouse Ezinne (Mrs.) Stella Ihedinma Okorie become specially attached to her and elicited her utmost care to mama with effusive love until she took her last breath.
Mama was a strong pillar to both her relatives and the community as she gave Amamba- Uzuakoli women a strong voice during her reign as Women leader/President of Udo-Ohabuike, Amamba – Uzuakoli Branch.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Practising (Demonstration) School Uzuakoli
Girls School Ovim
Teachers Elementary/Training Center, Oron (ETC) - Ministry of Education Eastern Nigerian Teachers Certificate -1953
Teachers Higher Elementary - 1958
Training College (WTC) Umuahia – 1959
Ministry of Education Eastern, Nigeria Teachers Grade 11 Certificate – 1965
University Of London - General Certificate of Education Examination January 1966
German Nursing practical experience Course – Sprachheilzentrum Westerberg Bissendorf Hesselkamp Germany
German Nursing Examination - Albertinen krankenhaus (Hospital) Dissen T.W. – Germany 1974
Nigerian Nursing Foreign Trained Course - 1977
Nigerian Nurse Tutors Course (Diploma in General Nursing Education) – 1985
WORKLIFE –
January 1951 – 1970
Mmirimma was employed by Methodist Mission Eastern Nigeria as Grade III and II teacher at a very young age and She meritoriously served the church (Methodist Church Nigeria) for 14 years teaching at the church’s various schools.
She was the Methodist Girls League Secretary Eastern Nigeria from 1960 – 1962 and also the headmistress of Spence Girls Day School, Ovim, after which she joined International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Joint Church aid (JCA) before leaving for Gabon with the Biafran children at the hit of the Nigerian civil war.
- Methodist Mission Eastern Nigeria 1953
- Central School Eluama, Isukwuato 1953
- Central School Ezinachi Okigwe 1953
- Primary School Uzuakoli 1957
- Central School Umuopara Umuahia 1960
- Central School Umuawa – Alaocha, Umuahia - 1961
- Wesley Girls Modern School Oturkpo 1962
- Egwuana Girls Sec School Abiriba 1965
- Spence Girls School Ovim 1967
Mmirimma Ogbonnaya joined the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) upon commencement of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967 but later switched to Joint Church Aid (JCA) after ICRC suspended their flights that provided humanitarian relief Biafran people due to their ICRC DC – 7 aircraft being shot down and killing three (3) their relief workers.
She actively participated in the airlift of 5,000 Biafra children under the cover of darkness without lights to ’ Terre des Hommes ‘’ refugee centre in Mondoube – Gabon by Joint Church Aid popularly referred then by media as Jesus Christ Airline and other NGO’s like French Volunteers Doctors (Medicines Sans Fronti’eres).
She had the opportunity of travelling with these Biafran children that suffered from starvation and malnutrition to Gabon where she was saddled with the responsibility of tendering, teaching and catering for these children who found themselves in a non English speaking country.
Inquest of further knowledge, After the Nigerian Civil war in 1970, she proceed to Germany where she did Nursing training courses in Albertinen Krankenhaus (Kranken Schule –Nursing Training School) in Dissenn, Germany.
After graduation as a State registered Nurse in 1974, Madam Mmirimma Ogbonnaya worked and practiced Nursing in various Hospitals in Germany before returning to Nigeria in 1977 among which include –
- Albertinen krankenhaus (Hospital) Dissen – Germany 1974
- Kurhessische Diokonischen krankenhaus (Hospital) Kassel – Germany 1975
- Krankenhaus Deisterhort Bad Munder – Germany 1975 - 1977
Upon her return to Nigeria on July 1977, she registered with Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and was offered appointment by the Public Service / Ministry of Health Imo State as a staff nurse Practical instructor in-charge of practical demonstrations in September 1977 where she taught Nutrition and Dietetics at School of Nursing Umuahia.
Her aptitude for teaching made her enrolled for General Nurse Tutors Course in IMT – Enugu where she obtained a Diploma in General Nursing Education in 1985.
Afterwards she was redeployed to School of Nursing Aba as a Nurse Tutor where she taught Nursing as a profession to PTS students Nurses and Medical / Surgical Nursing.
She retired as a Chief Nurse Tutor and Principal School of Nursing, Aba in 1999.
CHRISTIAN LIFE
Madam Mmirimma Ogbonnaya was an adherent of Christ. She was so dedicated that the work of God came first in all her engagements.
Her activities while on earth were that of total service to God and humanity, which are worthy of emulation for those of us still alive.
Until her demise, she served as a teacher to various schools under the Methodist Church Nigeria for 14 years and was a strong and active member of Methodist Church of Nigeria and The Apostolic Church Nigeria (Igbo Field).
ACHIEVEMENTS/ CONTRIBUTION TO HUMANITY & EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
Madam Mmirimma Ogbonnaya contributed in no small measure to the development of education in the former eastern region as well as nursing as evidenced in the great number of highly placed nurses that she trained as an Instructor at various Schools of Nursing.
Mama joined the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) shortly before the Nigeria Civil war and participated in the airlift of the 5,000 Biafra children affected by starvation and malnutrition to refugee centres in Gabon. She was saddled with the responsibility of caring, teaching these children while at the centre and some of these children have grown up to become reputable members of society.
Prior to her retirement in 1999, she commenced writing two (2) very interesting; educative books captioned History of Nigeria & Natural Landscape and Nutrition & Dietetics. The project(s) were successfully completed in 2003 and were due for publication before she took ill. The book projects received support and recommendation of the Abia State Government that wrote the Federal Ministry for Culture & Tourism and National Orientation Agency imploring it to support the venture.
SHE IS SURVIVED BY:
Chigozie Chibueze Ogbonnaya - Son
Ezinne (Mrs.) Adannaya Ihejindueme Okorie – Sister
Mrs. Joy Nwaikpegh Anyaogu – Step-Sister
Mrs. Chituru Okorie – Step – Sister
Dr. Fammie Vahyala Ogbonnaya – Daugther in-law
Benjamin Gozie Ogbonnaya – Grandson
Jeremy Chiemela Ogbonnaya – Grandson
Amy-Fammie Mmirimma Ogbonnaya – Grand daughter
HRH Eze Uchendu Okorie – Nephew
Dr. U.J Okorie – Nephew
Dr. Onyems Okorie – Nephew
Mrs. Alozie Ndubuisi - Niece
Mrs. Chioma Okorie – Haidara - Niece
Mrs. Obioma Ogbonnaya - Sister In Law
Mrs. Sharon Chioma – Justus - Niece
Mrs. Chinyere Gina Arisa - Niece
Mrs. Ihuoma Ogbonnaya Obike – Niece
Mrs. Onyinyechi Eze - Niece
Mr. Chinedum Ogbonnaya – Nephew
Mr . Chukwuemeka Ogbonnaya – Nephew
Dr. Chibueze Ogbonnaya - Nephew
Mr & Mrs. Emmanuel Teri Vahyala - In Law.
And a host of Cousins, Nephew, Nieces in – Laws and Friends
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