Kate Ifeoma Oturu

My mother was one of the strongest women I have ever known. I remember once, when I was about 12 years old, we were traveling to my hometown in Southeast Nigeria, about 12 hours from Lagos on a good day. Our driver arrived late that morning, and in exasperation, my mum took the car keys and drove my younger brother and me all the way to the village herself. We made the journey in 10 hours. My mom was fearless, and I never saw her back down from anything. Those who knew her would attest to the fact that she was a lioness! Whenever I needed someone to set my head straight, she was the one who would firmly scold me and put me back in line. She was also deeply compassionate and worked tirelessly for her community. During her time with the Federal Government of Nigeria, she single-handedly ensured that at least 50 qualified people from our community secured employment within the system. My mom raised five of us, and I never once saw her quit. She would rise at 4 a.m., cook, get everyone ready, head to work, close for the day, go on to manage her businesses, and still return home in the evening to ensure we had all done our homework before gathering us for prayers with my dad and sending us to bed. Her ventures were wide and varied. She owned a supermarket, two bookshops (one dedicated to Christian books and the other to general literature), a salon, and a restaurant. She also built properties and rented them out in Lagos and Abuja. We would probably call her a serial entrepreneur today! Even in retirement, my mom was not tired. She established a nonprofit organization focused on supporting homeless children and underprivileged women. Through that, she impacted thousands of lives. My mom was a giver and a committed Christian. A wife, mother, and grandmother. It has taken me many weeks to write this because every time I tried to put words together, I was overcome with grief. She left this earth on 2nd January 2026, and I never had the opportunity to say goodbye. I am consoled by the knowledge that she was a believer and is now resting in the bosom of my Heavenly Father. Until we meet again, adieu, Revd. Dr. (Mrs.) Kate Ifeoma Oturu. By the grace of Almighty God, this boy you raised will make you proud.

Dear Mum, I keep on asking, mummy, why did you leave me? You've left me and I dont know what to do but I know that you are in a much better place where there's no sorrow or pain. You were the strongest woman I knew. In my eyes, you never showed weakness. You carried burdens quietly and turned challenges into stepping stones, always standing tall so that we could stand taller. Every day, I miss you. I miss the sound of your voice, the wisdom in your counsel, and the warmth of your love. Those were gifts you gave so freely, gifts that continue to guide me even now. You had a remarkable way of creating something out of nothing. Where others saw limitations, you saw possibilities. Where others hesitated, you moved forward with courage. You taught me to be strong, to stand firm even when the tide was against me. Through you, I learned resilience. Through you, I learned honesty. Through you, I learned that character is built not in comfort, but in perseverance. Mum, you were many things to many people. In you, I saw an architect—someone who built lives and shaped futures with care and intention. In you, I saw an author—someone who wrote a beautiful story through the way you lived, loved, and gave. And above all, in you I saw a mother who sacrificed so much, quietly and selflessly, just to see her children happy. Your strength was not loud, but it was powerful. Your love was not boastful, but it was endless. Today we say goodbye to your physical presence, but your spirit lives on—in the lessons you taught, in the values you instilled, and in the lives you touched. Your legacy continues through us. Thank you, Mum, for everything you gave, everything you were, and everything you continue to be in our hearts. Adieu, dear Mum. Rest peacefully in the loving arms of God. Tribute from Nkiru (Daughter)