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By Agatha Emeadi
Lady Dorcas Adetutu Uduku, (Nee Da Costa) died in August 2025 at the age of 97. She lived a life that spanned continents, generations and historic moments, marked throughout by service, resilience and quiet leadership.
Born in Lagos to George Ladipo and Alhaja Wulemot Da Costa; from an early age, Dorcas distinguished herself as a bright student at CMS Girls’ School, where she excelled across disciplines, earning Cambridge credits in Latin, English, Sciences, Geography and Religion.
Her working life began modestly as a health inspector, before she found her true vocation in nursing. While training in Lagos, she qualified as a nurse and met her husband, Walter Uduku from Umuahia, Abia State and the inter-tribal union was blessed with five children.
In 1948, with the support of her family, Dorcas travelled to England to study at the Nursing School in York. There, she distinguished herself again, earning dual qualifications in general nursing and midwifery and graduated with outstanding results that earned her Silver Medal.
She accompanied her husband to Toronto, Canada in 1964 for his special surgical training. Walter completed his surgical training in Edinburgh and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1969 within the period that was overshadowed by the Nigerian civil war. But when peace returned, Dorcas returned to Nigeria and settled in Umuahia. There, she became deeply rooted in community life and rose through the nursing profession. She retired as an Assistant Chief Nursing Officer from Queen Elizabeth Specialist Hospital, Umuahia in 1985. Part of the activities marking her burial will be a commendation service scheduled at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on December 28, before her burial on December 29.
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Interestingly, while in Umuecheokwu, Old Umuahia, she established a maternity health centre in nearby Oboro, Umuahia. The health centre responded to the urgent need of mothers and children in an area without medical facilities. She also championed women’s economic empowerment and spearheaded the creation of a community savings bank. She also served as President of the Inner Wheel Club, Umuahia, in 1982. Her commitment to youth development found expression in her support for the Girls Guides Association.
Above all, she was a devoted matriarch in both Da Costa and Uduku families, while permanently residing in the United Kingdom.
In her final decade, Dorcas remained remarkably active. She holidayed annually in Scotland, took up piano playing at 75 and maintained a deep love for music. She loves attending Wimbledon to watch Venus and Serena Williams. Again, she was an active member of the Old Umuahia Union in London and a devoted worshipper at Christ Church, Shooters Hill, while still connected to her local church, St. Silas Church, Old Umuahia.
Renowned for her hospitality; she marked her 97th birthday on July 9, 2025 and passed peacefully in August 2025.
Left to mourn her are Dr. Okechukwu Durojaiye Uduku, Dr. Ngozi Olatokunbo Uduku, Chinwe Olubusola Adeleke (Deceased) Prof Ola Oluwakemi Uduku, Miss Oluchi Olayinka Uduku and a host of relatives. She will be profoundly missed.
