Mama Agnes

She was the youngest child of her father, Okerhe, and from the very beginning of her life she carried the quiet strength and resilience that would come to define her journey.

Her siblings, in order of seniority, were:

• Aghe (Female)
• Ighokedo (Female)
• Eyako (Female)
• Esiewhenoja (Male)
• Powder (Male)
• Maccaver (Male)
• Omokieseri (Female)
• Akpoba, also known as Titi Rode (Female)
• Agnes, also known as Titi Otete (Female)
• Victoria (Female)

After some years in Eruemukohwarien, she and her siblings were taken to Okpara by their mother, Idonor, where they continued their upbringing within the embrace of family and community. Growing up among many siblings and relatives, she developed the strong family values, warmth, and sense of responsibility that remained with her throughout her life.

Our mother began her own journey into motherhood at a very young age, welcoming her first child when she was barely seventeen. Though she had no opportunity for formal education, she possessed a wisdom that life itself had taught her. She was naturally enterprising, hardworking, and remarkably astute in business. With determination and courage, she traded across various parts of Urhobo land, Kwale, and Benin, building her livelihood through resilience, discipline, and faith.

Her life journey took her across different parts of Nigeria, including Plateau State, Kaduna State, and Rivers State. In 2002, she relocated to East London in the United Kingdom, where she spent many years surrounded by family and loved ones. She lived there until 2019, when she returned to Nigeria.

Our mother was a woman whose presence brought warmth wherever she went. Her smile was gentle and welcoming, her heart generous, and her love unconditional. She had a remarkable way of making everyone feel seen, valued, and cared for. To her children, she was a pillar of strength. To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was a source of comfort, wisdom, and endless affection.

She lived a life defined by kindness, perseverance, and deep faith in God. Through every challenge she faced, she remained steadfast, trusting in God and giving love freely to those around her.

Today, we mourn her passing with heavy hearts, yet we also celebrate a life richly lived. The memories she created, the sacrifices she made, and the love she gave will forever remain with us. Her legacy lives on in the lives she nurtured, the family she raised, and the many people whose lives she touched.

Though her physical presence is no longer with us, we are comforted in knowing that she lived as a woman of faith. We believe she now rests peacefully and continues to watch over us.