By Sunday Ani
The matriarch of the Obayi Atta family in Nguru, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nnemuruoha Lolo Cecelia Ovute Obayi (nee Omeje) is dead.
Lolo Obayi, who died on January 21, at the age of 105 years, is survived by six children, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, uncles, cousins and in-laws, among whom are the traditional ruler of Nguru Nsukka, Igwe Linus Nosike Obayi, and a former member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Ethelbert Obayi,.
The late Obayi, wife of the last traditional ruler of Nsukka before the creation of autonomous communities by the Enugu State Government, was a foremost community leader who dedicated her life to community development and peaceful coexistence in her community.
She believed strongly in education and trained all her children as teachers and educationists because of her belief that her own children would help drive community emancipation and the spread of knowledge by imparting education to the people.
She believed in empowering women and defending the rights of the vulnerable in society. She mobilised the women in her community towards several community projects, among which were the building and completion of the Catholic Church in Nguru Nsukka community
A statement by her first son, Igwe Obayi, described her as a devout Catholic, a paragon of royal grace, a mother to all, and an example in community service.
According to the statement, funeral arrangements shall be announced by the family in due course.