Sarah Onyekwere

Elder Sarah Onyekwere was born on May 20, 1932, the last child of Late Joseph Onyemere Ukasanya and Clara Ukasanya of Umuibeji Old Umuahia. She was her mother’s baby-thus, her mother’s handbag. She grew up following her mother’s open house policy and caring for everyone she encounters. This attribute further developed in directions of a community leader and Nneoha. Young Sarah completed her primary in St Silas Primary School and secondary education at Ovim Girl’s Secondary School. She received her Grade II Teacher’s Certification at Women’s Training College (WTC) Old Umuahia, in the then Eastern Region. Her first teaching job was at Nkpa Central School where she was also the Net Ball Coach, which remained one of her favorite sports. During this time, she met the love of her life, our dear father, Late Mr. Apugo O. Onyekwere. They got married on June 1, 1957, at Amachara Methodist Church. Shortly after, she was blessed with their twin daughters, Ngozi and Onyinye, a first son in 1959 Chikeziri (of blessed memory) , followed a second son Chima Uzoma and a third son Chukwuemeka (of blessed memory). After her marriage, she taught briefly at St. Ann’s Primary School, Ahiaeke, Ibeku and later Ezeleke Primary School before traveling to London with her husband and son, Chikeziri. It was while in London, she gave birth to Chima Uzoma and earned a Diploma in Home Economics, Arts and Crafts. On return to Nigeria this time from the US, our dad started the Comprehensive Secondary School Port Harcourt as the first Principal after completing a Masters Degree in Education from University of California Los Angeles while our mum secured a Bachelors in Nursery Education. Her love for nursery education became her passion and love for the rest of her educational career going forward. In Port Harcourt she taught at Creek Road Urban Primary School. And from Greek Road Urban Primary School Port Harcourt she followed her husband on transfer to Enugu and initially taught at Ogui Urban Primary School before the Civil War. It was in Enugu that she gave birth to her third son late Chukwuemeka Onyeiroajama (the enemy cannot be praised) on May 26, 1966. Due to the civil war, the family moved to Umuahia where the young mother, wife and educationist evolved into a selfless, fearless, determined war support volunteer. They formed a support group that provided food rations, clothing for soldiers and support for families to enable them to relocate to safe grounds. Our mother became a mother not only to her children, but to the soldiers and refugees her support group could reach. On several occasions, our mother would be gone for 3 or more days because she and other women volunteers had been caught behind the enemy lines while feeding and rescuing soldiers and refugees. While some people were afraid to bring refugees to their homes, mom brought several to hers. Our home turned into a refugee camp. Her love and dedication to improving the lives of those marginalize and less privileged continues through out her life. At the end of the civil war, she moved back to Enugu with her family, where she continued to be active in church and in education. She was involved in restarting several schools that had been damaged and abandoned and once that assignment was complete, she was moved to be a joint head to All Saints primary School (Ekulu Primary School). As the headmistress of Abakpanike Primary School with over 300 students, she reformed and improved the school to an enviable standard which earned a promotion to the office of supervisors of schools. After the creation of states, she returned to Umuahia and became the head mistress of Amuzukwu Primary School and Library Avenue Primary School respectively. In recognition of her skills and rigor, she was appointed Senior Supervisor of Schools, in then Imo State, State School Board. In 1989, our mother lost the love of her life to death. Once again with determination and trust in God, she pulled her family together and decided to retire from the profession she loved so much and focus on family life. Mom’s happiest days were watching her children get married and she doted on her daughters and sons in-law. These marriages resulted in 14 children and 2 greatgrandchildren, in addition to Mom’s innumerable adopted children and young housewives. Mom became the matriarch of this large Apugo Onyekwere family which she held together with love and prayers. Committing her family into the hands of the Lord, and indeed God helped her. In 2021, the cold hands of death snatched her first son, Chikeziri Apugo Onyekwere. Mom was devastated but did not lose faith in God. She became an example and model of how to mourn with hope. She held to her God and her faith. As a true community activist, Mummy enjoyed mentoring, developing and organizing women volunteer groups like “Otu Olu Obodo” that worked to improve women’s life and economy. She loved hosting state parties, picnics, cooking, baking; sports including tennis, net ball, taking walks, treadmill, and giving her kids including her grandchildren unending reading and writing assignments. While in the US, both in Michigan and Maryland, she continued to serve God in local United Methodist Churches and was also a member of Corner Stone Church in Okemos, Michigan. She took joy in reading the bible and memorizing bible verses. Mum was ordained and Elder, Nneoma and Diamond Mother in Methodist Church Nigeria. A prayer warrior who fasted every Wednesday for over 40years until her health could no longer allow her routine fasting. But she never stopped praying continuously daily and winning souls for Christ. Mom lived a fulfilled life, fought the good fight of faith and now she rests in the bosom of her God. Mom was called home on May 27, 2023 at 20:03 US EST at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital surrounded by her children and grandchildren

Tributes

Sarah Onyekwere

May 20, 1935 - May 27, 2023