Dibueze Chinyere Asika OFR. Complete funeral tribute booklet

H.E. (Dibueze)
Chief Mrs. Chinyere Asika OFR
Tributes to an Icon
(June 19, 1939 – May 3, 2015)
Remarkable. Unforgettable. Irreplaceable.

SERVICE OF SONGS UK
St Matthews Church, Thornhill Crescent, Islington, London N1 1BQ
Friday, July 3, 2015. 6pm prompt
SERVICE OF SONGS USA
Saint Peter's Igbo Anglican Church, 1300 Brunswick Ave.,
Trenton NJ 08638. Saturday, July 11, 2015. 6pm prompt
NIGHT OF TRIBUTE/SERVICE OF SONGS
International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015. 6pm prompt
EGBU SEND-FORTH
Ejiogu Compound, Egbu-Owerri.
Wednesday July 22, 2015. 7pm – all night
AIRPORT RECEPTION
Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri.
Thursday July 23rd, 2015. 9.30am
FLAGSTOP/PRAYERS
Ejiogu Compound, Egbu-Owerri.
Thursday July 23rd, 2015. 12.00 Noon
LYING-IN-STATE
22 Niger Drive, Onitsha GRA.
Friday July 24th, 2015. 6am – 10.00am
FUNERAL SERVICE
All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha. Friday July 24, 2015. 10.30am
Internment follows immediately
RECEPTION:
22 Niger Drive, GRA Onitsha
OUTING SERVICE
Immanuel Anglican Church, Ugwunaobankpa Road,
Inland Town, Onitsha. Sunday July 26th, 2015. 9am
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Enyi Dibueze
Nne Igbo Gburu Gburu
Iya Meto of Ibadanland
Ochendo Owerri
Adakaibeya
Lolo of Ikeduru
Ekwe of Nkwerre
Ezindo of Ezeagu
Iyom of Awka
Nda Chinyere
Mummy

CONTENTS
BORN TO PROMINENCE PAGE 6
CITATION PAGE 8
CURRICULUM VITAE PAGE 10
TRIBUTES/CONDOLENCE LETTERS
President Muhammadu Buhari PAGE 16
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan PAGE 17
General Yakubu Gowon PAGE 18
President Olusegun Obasanjo PAGE 20
Mrs Bola Obasanjo PAGE 21
General T.Y. Danjuma PAGE 23
Alhaji Ahmed Joda PAGE 25
Governor Willie Obiano, Anambra State PAGE 27
Governor Rochas Okorocha, Imo State PAGE 28
Ofce of the SGF, Imo State PAGE 29
Gov. David Nweze Umahi, Ebonyi State PAGE 30
African Peer Review Mechanism PAGE 31
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu PAGE 32
Dep. Senate President Ike Ekweremadu PAGE 34
Jim Ovia PAGE 35
Godwin Emeliefe PAGE 36
MD Zenith Bank Apamgbo PAGE 37
Adaora Umeoji PAGE 39
Dr. Gabriel Okenwa PAGE 40
Peter Obi PAGE 41
Governor Theophilus Orji PAGE 42
Achike Udenwa PAGE 43
Senator Chris Anyanwu PAGE 44
Alhaji Bamanga Tukur PAGE 46
Senator Anyim Pius Anyim PAGE 47
Chief EK Clark PAGE 49
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu PAGE 50
Engr Ebele Okeke PAGE 51
Senator Joy Emordi PAGE 52
Senator Ugochukwu Uba PAGE 53
Senator Ben Obi PAGE 54
Uche Azikiwe PAGE 57
Prof. Pat Utomi PAGE 58
Dame Beatrice Ekwueme PAGE 60
Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha PAGE 62
Enukora Joe Okoli PAGE 63
Dr. Lawrence Anukam PAGE 66
Amb. Fidelia Njeze PAGE 68
Chika Balogun PAGE 69
Peter Jack PAGE 71
Ify Umenyi PAGE 72
Otunba Basirat Nahibi PAGE 73
National Council of Women Societies PAGE 75
Commonwealth Human Ecology CouncilPAGE 76
SIC Okoli PAGE 77
South-East Council of Traditional Rulers PAGE 78
Eze Njemanze PAGE 79
Stephen Oronsaye PAGE 80
Eze Ohazulike PAGE 82
Chief Mrs Anene Afolabi PAGE 83
Ezenwa Onyewuchi PAGE 84
Prof. Marie Umeh PAGE 85
Eze Egbu PAGE 86
Ohanaeze Business Counsel PAGE 88
Compol (Barr.) Lawrence Alobi PAGE 89
Prof. Ukwu I Ukwu PAGE 91
Mrs Comfort Ukwu PAGE 92
Chief Sir Chyna Iwuanyanwu PAGE 93
Dr Koyi Ugboma PAGE 95
Otu Odu of Onitsha PAGE 96
Eunice Obianwu PAGE 97
Nig. Women of Integrity & Divine Initiatives PAGE 98
Chief Joe Nwegwu PAGE 99
Lady Dr Chinwe Nzegwu PAGE 100
Igbo Youth Association PAGE 101
Ado Committee of Friends PAGE 102
Redeemed Christian Church of God PAGE103
Barrister Chuka Uba PAGE 105
Nwolu Odiamma PAGE 106
APC Ofce of Dep. Nat. Women Leader PAGE 107
Oz Giwa-Amu PAGE 108
UNTH Enugu PAGE 109
Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association PAGE 110
Prof. Jerry Bender PAGE 111
Amb. Cletus Amaraegbu PAGE 112
Onitsha Improvement Union PAGE 114
Max Gbanite PAGE 115
Holy Child Students Association PAGE 116
Abuja Graduation School PAGE 117
Lady Beatrice Aduba PAGE 118
UNTH Foundation PAGE 119
Immanuel Anglican Church Children PAGE 121
Iyom Dorothy Okide PAGE 122
Dozie Owerri PAGE 123
Nwachi Caroline Megafu PAGE 124
Terri Emezi PAGE 124
Short Messages of Love PAGE 127
Sister Helen Onyiuke PAGE 134
Living Christ Mission PAGE 137
Donu Kogbara PAGE 139
Chris Amadi PAGE 140
Princess Ngozi Nnaedozie PAGE 141
GOWEM PAGE 142
Owerri People’s Assembly PAGE 143
Chief Sir Engr. Uchenna Acholonu PAGE 144
Prof. Ebenezer Okonkwo PAGE 145
Omobola Onajide PAGE 145
Emeka Keazor PAGE 146
Joseph C. Ibekwe PAGE 147
Sir Rowland & Lady Cordelia Ekechi PAGE 147
Reginald Ofodile PAGE 148
Umuada Igbo Nigeria PAGE 149
John Adeleke PAGE 150
Chief C.I. Nwapa PAGE 151
Lady Dorothy Nwokedi PAGE 152
Chief Maurice Ebo PAGE 153
Mrs Abimbola Sowemimo PAGE 154
Lady Regina Anionwu PAGE 156
Tochukwu Ikezue PAGE 157
UN-POLAC PAGE 158
Eze Ezeilo PAGE 159
Chidi Uwajumogu PAGE 161
Tributes from Personal Staff PAGE 162
Soul Mates PAGE 164
Ojinnaka Obodoechina (Obi) Asika PAGE 167
Nwaezebuona Nkiru Asika PAGE 170
Amalunweze Uju Asika PAGE 173
Nwando Asika PAGE 175
Yetunde Asika PAGE 176
Grandchildren PAGE 181
Mrs Funmi Bakare PAGE 184
Chief Joy Ezeilo PAGE 185
Kelechi Ejiogu PAGE 187
Augusta Ogechi Ordu PAGE 188
Chiaka Ojogwu PAGE 188
Pastor Ngozi Nnadi PAGE 189
Ambassador Dr. Kema Chikwe PAGE 190
Nwaeju Njie PAGE 191
Ibe Ejiogu PAGE 192
Ugboaku Okasi PAGE 194
Ukwuoma Chukunta PAGE 195
Akufor Atukpaw PAGE 196
Oluoma Ejirika PAGE 200
Nnenna Kalejaiye PAGE 201
Anagam Ononuju PAGE 202
Chimdi Ejiogu PAGE 203
Uche Ejiogu PAGE 204
Nedum Ejiogu PAGE 205
Obii Pax-Harry PAGE 206
JohnBull & Julie Onyeukwu PAGE 207
Dr. Regina Amadi PAGE 208
Austin Egejuru PAGE 209
Barr. Maxwel Onyeukwu PAGE 209
Apostle James Odirionyenma PAGE 210
Akpe Chulo Asika PAGE 215
Nnayelugo Nworah Asika PAGE 216
Odera Onwi Bazuaye PAGE 217
Adiba Asika Osemene PAGE 219
Maureen Asika-Enahoro PAGE 220
Nebolisa Emordi PAGE 221
Amalunweze Nnenna Onyewuchi PAGE 222
Chiazo Asika PAGE 223
Barr Ngozi Asika Agbapuonwu PAGE 225
Rev. Dr. Ekeleme Ordu PAGE 225
Akukalia Odiari PAGE 226
Rev. Tabiri Chukwunta PAGE 228
Dr. Pax Harry PAGE 229
Nze Herbert Chikwe PAGE 230
Dr. Victor Ordu PAGE 230
Nini Okey-Uche PAGE 231
Obinna Ejiogu PAGE 232
Somachi Kachikwu PAGE 232
Ama Ejiogu PAGE 233
Nma Agba PAGE 234
Ugonna Ibe-Ejiogu PAGE 235
Data Pax-Harry PAGE 236
Short Messages of Love PAGE 237
Appreciation PAGE 242

TheEasternNigerianMail,JulyI,1939
“MR. N. O. Ejiogu of the Government Middle School has been receiving congratulations on the delivery on
MondayJune19ofafemalechildbyhiswife.”
TheEasternNigerianMail,July29 1939
“In connection with the OMUGWO Ceremony in honour of his new-born baby, Mr. N. O. Ejiogu of the
Government Middle School gave a very sumptuous entertainment to a host of his friends in his home at
EgbuonSaturday,July15.
The grand function, which was very largely attended, started at about 4.30 pm. Mr. J. H. Dick, Travelling
Teacher,actedasChairman,andMr.F.N.EjeoguwasMasterofCeremonies.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman expressed the very deep personal interests he had taken in attending
the function. He also revised the pleasant memories of his long association with Mr. Ejiogu, who he rst
knew at school as his own class pupil, and whose excellent character and scholastic aspirations have
alwaysimpressedhim.
The only toast, that of Ejiogu's family, was proposed by Mr. J. K. Nzerem, who… heaped more laurels on Mr.
Ejiogu laying particular stress on Mr. Ejiogu's wide-spread popularity .. among all classes of the of the
Owerri people who have known him as a rst class patriot and a man of impeccable character. Mr. Nzerem
also referred to the august personalities present at the function as an indication of the high esteem in which
Mr.Ejioguisheldinsocialcircles.
In responding to the toast Mr. Ejiogu thanked both the chairman and Mr. Nzerem for the kind things they said
about him which he thought he really did not deserve. He also thanked the invitees for … coming to Egbu to
honourhisinvitation.
Drinkables of all sorts and several dishes were profusely served whilst also a band (entertained)… The
merry gathering dispersed at 6.30pm. Prominent among those present besides those already mentioned,
wereDr.T.A.Kester,MessrsE.Nkune,D.O.Ewo,E.E.Moma,B.A.Okafo,J.K.Osuji, ChiefG.K.Amadi-Obi,
S. N. Sikibo, L. B. Gam, R. A. Ogan, V. O. Obowu, E. E. Fiolari, J. A. Umofa, J. N. Emeriwonu, D. Nwosu, B.
Iwuagwu, E. I. Njoku, W. W. Acholonu, A. M. Emone, F. S. Obichere, G. K. Njemanze, K. Y. Briggs, J. O. Ibo, L.
N.Emerole,N.A.Oparaugo, J.O.EmenyeonuandT.D.Osuji.
BORN TO PROMINENCE

Papa Nathan Ejiogu & Mrs Esther Ejiogu

CITATION
H.E. DIBUEZE CHIEFMRSCHINYERE ASIKAOFR
H.E. Dibueze Chief Mrs Chinyere Asika OFR was a public servant, political powerhouse and patron of
the arts. She began her diverse professional life after an outstanding academic career. One of only 4
females in Nigeria to win a scholarship from the African Scholarship Program in American Universities
program (ASPAU), Dibueze Chinyere Asika held a Bachelor's Degree in Politics & Government from the
prestigious Mills College in Oakland, California and a Master's in Information & Library Science from the
University of California, Los Angeles, making her one of the rst African women to have studied and
workedwithcomputers.
Her early professional life included positions as Assistant Librarian at University of Ibadan, Nigeria and
Research Assistant at the Institute of Development Studies at University College, Nairobi, Kenya. When
her late husband, Ajie Dr Ukpabi Asika CFR, was appointed Administrator of the war-torn East Central
State of Nigeria in 1967, Dibueze Chinyere Asika stepped up to her new responsibilities and after the
war, she worked with her husband to rebuild and rehabilitate the State and its citizens. She concentrated
largely on development issues, specically the mobilization and empowerment of rural womenfolk
through theinnovativeandhighlysuccessfulOtuOluObodoorganization.
After the change of government in 1975, Dibueze Chinyere Asika joined a socio-economic consulting
rm where she worked for the next ve years. During the 2nd Republic, she was an active political
strategist and she was appointed by then Governor of Anambra State, late C.C. Onoh, as his Special
AdvisoronWomenAffairs–becomingtheveryrstpoliticalappointeeongenderissuesinNigeria.
After the coup that ended the 2nd Republic, Dibueze Chinyere Asika returned to private business and
development issues. She was a director of several companies, a member of the British Institute of
Management, a member of the Institute of Directors in the UK, and a member of the World Development
Movement,anNGOfocusedonThirdWorlddevelopment.
From 2002 – 2007, Dibueze Chinyere Asika served former President Olusegun Obasanjo as his Senior
Special Assistant on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). In 2007, she was
appointed Chairman National Steering Committee, of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM),
leading the organization in its mission to evaluate the progress and challenges of governance in Nigeria.
In April 2008, she was asked to join the National Steering Committee of the Vision 2020 group and in
April 2009, she was inaugurated into the National Working Committee on the Drafting of Social Security
PolicyforNigeria.
Dibueze Chinyere Asika was also a patron of several civic organizations, including Chairman,

Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC), Nigeria and Patron, Global Organization for Women
Empowerment, a non-governmental organization dedicated to the empowerment of African women. In
2006 she was conferred with an honorary Doctorate by the Institute of Journalism and in 2010,
President Goodluck Jonathan conferred her with the Order of the Federal Republic, one of the nation's
highest honours.
Dibueze Chinyere Asika was inducted into the prestigious Otu Odu Society of Onitsha in 1994 and also
held chieftaincy titles from across the country including the titles of Iya Meto of Ibadanland, Ochendo
OwerriandNneIgboGburuGburu.
From 2013 - 2015, Dibueze Chinyere Asika served on the Board of Zenith Bank PLC as a Non-Executive
Director. In November, 2014 she was appointed as Nigeria and ECOWAS sole representative onto the
Eminent Persons Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) of the African Union and in
April2015,afewdaystoherdeath,shewasappointedVice-ChairmanoftheEminent PersonsCouncil.
She returned from South Africa excited about this new role, but on the morning of Sunday, May 3rd,
2015, the Lord called her home. She died as she had lived, peacefully, with dignity and with a smile on
herface.
She is survived by four children – Obi, Nkiru, Uju and Nwando; ve grand-children and numerous
siblings, in-laws, relatives and friends. Her death has left a void that is very difcult to bear and almost
impossibletoll.Butherswasalifelivedtothefullestandsowecelebratethatlifetoday.
TheLordgiveth.TheLordtakethaway.BlessedbetheNameoftheLord.

CHIEF (MRS.) CHINYERE E. ASIKA. OFR.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Ÿ Cornelia Connelly College (CCC) Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
(1954-1958)
Ÿ West African School Certicate
Ÿ Queens' College Lagos. (1959-1960)
Ÿ Higher School Certicate London
Ÿ Mills College, Oakland, California, USA. (1961 - 1964)
Ÿ Bachelor of Arts (Government with minor in Social
Anthropology)
Ÿ University California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA. (1964 –
1965)
Ÿ Master's Degree (Library Science & Information Technology)
ACADEMIC HONOURS
Scholarship for academic merit throughout Secondary School
Education
Federal Government Scholarship towards an honors degree at the
University of Ibadan based on the result of Higher School
Certicate Examination
ASPAU (African Scholarship Programme in American
Universities) Scholarship to Mills College, Oakland California.
Only 300 students selected from the African continent and only 4
women.
Award to participate in the conference on International Affairs by
a World Affairs Council of Northern California.
Federal Government Scholarship towards a Masters degree in
Library Science.
HONORARY DEGREES
Honorary Doctorate degree by the Commonwealth University,
Belize. (2012)
Honorary Doctorate degree from Institute of Journalism, Nigeria
(2006)
NATIONAL AWARDS
Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR), 2010
CURRICULUM VITAE
Chinyere 1964
Teenage Chinyere

PUBLIC SECTOR APPOINTMENTS
Ÿ First Lady of East Central State of Nigeria. (The
present day South East Zone) (1967-1975)
Ÿ Adviser to the Governor of Anambra State
(Chief C.C. Onoh) on Women Affairs. First
political appointment on gender issues
anywhere in Nigeria. (1983)
Ÿ Senior Special Assistant to President Olusegun
Obasanjo on the New Partnership For African
Development (NEPAD) & Chief Executive
Ofcer, NEPAD NIGERIA. (2001-2007).
Ÿ Member, National Steering Committee of the
APRM. (2005 – 2007)
Ÿ Member, PDP Presidential Screening
Committee for April 2007 General Elections in
Nigeria. Chairman, National Working Group of
African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)
Nigeria. (2008 – 2009)
Ÿ Member, National Steering Committee of Vision
20:2020. (2008 till date.)
Ÿ Vice Chairman, National Council of the African
Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Nigeria.
(2009 till date)
Ÿ Member, National Working Committee on the
Implementation of Social Security for
Nigeria.(2009 till date)
Ÿ Vice-Chairman, Eminent Persons Panel, African
Peer Review Mechanism, African Union (2015)
PRIVATE WORK EXPERIENCE:
Ÿ Taught History and Geography to fth form
students of the Government Technical Institute,
Enugu. (1961)
Ÿ Clerical Assistant, Foremost Dairies Inc., San
Francisco, California, U.S.A. Collected Data
relevant to the Introduction of Foremost Dairies
products (Samco) into Nigeria (1963)
Ÿ Research Assistant to Professor Wendell P.
Jones, Dept of Education, University of
California at Las Angeles (UCLA). Collected
demographic and ethnographic data on Africa
for teaching of comparative education (1964)
Ÿ Student Professional Assistant,
Neuropsychiatry Institute Library, University of
California Medical Centre, University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA). (July 1964-
Jan. 1965)
Ochendo Owerri
B.a.hons From Mills College
Honorary Doctorate

Ÿ Student Professional Assistant, Government
Publications Section, University of California at
Los Angeles (UCLA). (1965)
Ÿ Research Assistant to Professor J.S Coleman,
University Of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).
(1965). Project: Coding for computer analysis of
biographical data on the Nigerian elite.
Ÿ Assistant Librarian, Ibadan University Library,
(1965). Attached to the African Section of the
library and solely responsible for the University
Map collection.
Ÿ Information retrieval for academic staff
Ÿ Acquiring, cataloguing and classication of all
maps (about 10,000 copies)
Ÿ Supervision and training of a junior professional
assistant.
Ÿ Administrative Assistant at the Institute for
Development Studies, University College, Nairobi,
Kenya.(1967)
Ÿ Cataloguer at the American Library of Congress.
(1967)
Ÿ Librarian, National Library of Nigeria, Lagos. (1968-
1970)
Ÿ Appointed Chairman, Eastern Nigeria Library Board.
Dibueze and NEPAD Team
Campaigning For NPN

Unable to accept for political reasons. (1971)
Ÿ Director of various companies. (1975-1979)
Ÿ Project Director of Multivar Systems a rm for techno-economic consultancy. Designed feasibility
studies for over a hundred small-medium scale industries. (Oct.-Dec.1983)
Ÿ Director, Techno-Transfer Ltd, (1984-1989)
Ÿ Director, Sigma Systems, Lagos. Supply of computers and peripherals to various government
institutions. (1990-1994)
Ÿ Director, Bladi property and Investment Company Ltd. (1990 – date)
Ÿ Director, Dibueze Integrated Services Ltd. ( 2007 – date)
ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:
Ÿ Non-Executive Director, Zenith Bank (2013 – 2015)
Ÿ Vice Chairman, Governing Council, Abuja Graduate School (2010 – date)
Ÿ Founder of Global Organization for Women Empowerment (GOWEM)
Ÿ Founder, Gowem Co-operative Society Ltd.
Ÿ Chairman, Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC), Nigeria
Ÿ Millennium Development Ambassadors Award
Ÿ UN – POLAC Ambassador for Peace
Ÿ Patron, Otu Suwakwa Igbo Initiative
Ÿ Life Fellow of Agriculture Graduates of Nigeria, AGAN
Administrator Ukpabi Asika And Chinyere
East Central State duties
On Board Ship To U.S.A. 1961
East Central State Years

Ÿ Patron, Senior Citizens & Elders Forum, Nigeria
Ÿ Patron, Nigerian Mental Health Organisation
Ÿ Patron, Federated Holy Child Organisation
Ÿ Patron, Diamond Sisters, Owerri
Ÿ Patron Onyeaghalanwanneya Women's
Organisation
Ÿ Patron, Nigerian Girls Guide
Ÿ Patron, YWCA
Ÿ Founder of Chinyere Asika Disabled Living
Foundation
Ÿ Founder, Otu Olu Obodo. This was the rst mass
movement which galvanized women in every
community in the former East Central State to
participate in governance and grassroots'
project development.
Ÿ Patron of several other organizations too
numerous to mention
Iya Meto and Olubadan Of Ibadanland
Chinyere at NEPAD
SSA of NEPAD

Celebration Of LifeCelebration Of LifeCelebration Of Life

CHIEF(MRS) CHINYERE ASIKA,OFR:
AN UNCOMMON BELIEVER IN
NIGERIA
A TRIBUTE BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GENERAL DR. YAKUBU GOWON, GCFR, FORMER
HEAD OF STATE AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE
FEDERALREPUBLIC OFNIGERIA
I met Ajie Anthony Ukpabi Asika before I met his wife, Chief (Mrs) Chinyere Asika. The
circumstance of my meeting Ukpabi was most inauspicious, as I was shopping for an
Administrator for the newly created East Central State at the outbreak of the Nigerian
Civil War. I never thought I would get anyone, much less an Igboman, who would be
man enough to consider the offer. The name of this young, pipe-smoking young
lecturer at the University of Ibadan was suggested. When I met him, he not only
considered the offer, he was ready to start work immediately. I cautioned against it by
telling him that if he were to be my brother, I would have counselled him against doing
so.Hetookupthejobagainstmyadvice.
If I thought Ukpabi Asika was 'crazy' to jump at a position that placed him at cross-
purpose with his brothers and sisters from Eastern Nigerian who itched to secede from
the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I did not know how to place his wife, Chinyere. One had
thought she would have dissuaded her husband from crossing swords with his
'Biafran' brethren. I was pleasantly shocked when, on arrival from Tanzania, she, like
her husband, plunged headlong into efforts at keeping Nigeria as one strong, undivided
nation.
Ukpabi and Chinyere formed a solid Eastern team that strongly believed in Nigeria,
much against the popular belief of their people. Chinyere was strong-willed and she
associated courageously and without reservations with her husband's views on one
nationforusallregardlessofwhetheronewasfromtheEast,WestortheNorth.
She exhibited her determination by boosting the condence of her Igbo kinsmen and
women that chose to remain in and with Nigeria instead of returning to the East or
Biafra. In like manner, as First Lady of East Central State, she ensured support for her
people who lived within and outside areas liberated by Federal forces in the theatre of
war. Her public service initiative, Otu Olu Obodo, helped rural women to achieve some
form of self-empowerment. Without doubt, she suffered personal anguish at the
sufferingofherpeople.

She was a dedicated wife and mother. She ensured that she made the home front
conducive for her husband to put his heart and soul in one Nigeria at a very difcult time
in the nation's history. As a mother in war time Nigeria, she not only ensured that her
children were well looked after, she took on the added responsibility of taking good care
ofotherchildren,someofwhomwereorphanedduringthewar.
In spite of the noble role that she played alongside her husband during the Nigerian Civil
War, she, like her husband, was much maligned, as both did not escape vitriolic attacks
from individuals or groups that felt they should have been on the side of Biafra. Her
husband lived a great life in spite of these needless negative perceptions. Like him,
Chinyere excelled in life in spite or even maybe because of the opposition to her belief in
humanity.
When the war ended, the Federal Government, under my leadership, was encouraged,
among other things, to declare a philosophy of 'No Victor, No Vanquished' because of the
compelling need to fully appreciate the individual and collective contributions of the
Asikas and other Easterners who shared their belief in One Nigeria. We dared not do
anything that would have badly reected on their persons and character. Our programme
of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (3Rs) also ensured that, in the long
run,bothhusbandandwifegotcreditfortheircontributions.
In contemporary Nigeria, the platform for the expression of her love of Nigeria and
humanity increased considerably. At the outset of Nigeria's 4th Republic, Her Excellency,
Dibueze Chief (Mrs) Chinyere Asika, CFR, was appointed as pioneer Senior Special
Assistant to the President on New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) before
she became the Chief Executive Ofcer, NEPAD Nigeria and Vice Chairperson, Eminent
Persons Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism of the African Union. She also
founded Global Organisation for Women Empowerment (GOWEM) to rehabilitate and
givemoreopportunity tothewomenfolk.
I believe that the people of Eastern Nigeria and, indeed, all Nigerians truly should be
grateful to both Ajie Ukpabi Asika and Chief Mrs Chinyere Asika, who are now reunited in
the bosom of God Almighty, for the simple reason that Nigeria is now better off with the
Igbosaspartbuildersofourgreatnation.
On behalf of my dear wife, Victoria and our country, Nigeria, may I once more express the
sincere appreciation of a grateful nation to the Asika family for the gift of two lives who,
for the love of God and country, gave their all not just to keep Nigeria together and
developing but to ensure that generations of Nigerians have a nation they can rightfully
calltheirs,though tribeandtonguediffer.
Restineternalpeace,DibuezeChief(Mrs)ChinyereAsika,CFR.

Mum, you were indeed a family lady, excellent and amiable. You have toiled,
laboured and compensated for your good children and people around you. A titan
hasbeenlost, abridgebuilder,adoyenneoftheAsikafamilyandall ofus.
LifewellspentthatendedwellinChrist.
Mum, you were such a passionate and accommodating mother who was a go-getter and who
always left no stone unturned in any assignment. Mum, you were an icon, you lived a good life
and your legacy lives on. Soft spoken mum with strong words of golden advice. As an
encourager, your words always ring like a bell in my ears "hold on tight to your husband keep
on praising him, don't let anyone discourage you. It is what you have you treasure, be ringing
the bells on to their ears to let them know that you love your husband". As you usually said,
you toiled so hard to look after your husband, Sir Ukpabi Asika, to the last until he gave up the
ghost. I admire your courage and integrity so much. You were so rm strict, loving, humble
and never liked to be at the centre of attention. I remember, last time we were together at
Onitsha during the chieftaincy ceremonies of all your children, Obi & Co, you did so much
whenIwaswithyouinAbuja. Ioverstayedwithyoubecauseofyourloveandcare.
Many wonderful memories of you as a role model, guardian and friend will carry me through to
the end, Your keen attention to the achievement of family is impressive. You have left an
indelible impression in every life you touched. Thank God for your life mum. Ma sun olufe laya
Olugbalare.Odiojoajinde.DidunniirantiOlododo.
"BolahowisOga",asyoualwayscalledmyhusband.Ma,youaresimplyunforgettable.
MRSBOLAOBASANJO

By General T. Y. Danjuma GCON
Tribute to H. E. Dibueze Chinyere Asika OFR

Mrs. Chinyere Edith Asika was the widow of Mr. Anthony Ukpabi Asika, the civilian Administrator of the
EastCentralStateofNigeriafrom1967to1975.ShediedonMay,2015.
At the time of his appointment in August/September, 1967, Nigeria was engaged in a civil war, the
purpose of which was to keep Nigeria one united country. Essentially this was a war between the Igbos
of Nigeria and the rest of the federation. It was a time when few, if any, Igbos wanted to identify with
anyone who supported one united Nigeria. As General Gowon, then the Head of State, said when Asika
accepted the role of the Administrator of the Igbo enclave, only a mad man would agree to play this
role.
Yet Mr. Asika accepted to play the role and went on to play it exceptionally well, fully aware of the fact
he was regarded by the overwhelming members of his ethnic group as a traitor. To those who knew Mr.
Asika and his wife, it was clear that Mr. Asika could not have discharged himself in the way he did
without loyaltyandfullsupportofhiswifeChinyere.Iwasacloseandobservantwitness.
Mr. and Mrs. Asika worked in unison and shared their dreams, especially their abiding faith in the unity
of Nigeria. One of the many dreams of Tony Asika was the establishment in the nation's capital of a
NationalCemetery.Iknowthat hewouldhavepreferredtobelaidtorestin that Cemetery.Howeverthis
was not to be. I believe that it would be tting for his wife to rest ceremonially in the Abuja National
Cemetery (which is now a reality), even if only symbolically along with other worthy warriors of
Nigeria.
Mayhersoulrestinperfectpeace.
AhmedJodaCFR,OFRCON

Ahmed Joda, Dibueze,
Ufot Ekaette At Ajie's
Cofn
Dele Cole, Dibueze,
Osita Chidoka &
Mrs Bola Obasanjo
Ajie Receiving CFR from
President Obasanjo

Chief Mrs Asika, Mrs V.
Gowon, Ukpabi Asika,
Gen Yakubu Gowon,
Obi & Nki
Dibueze & Mrs
Victoria Gowon
Dibueze and President
Olusegun Obasanjo

Dibueze With Chief Dr and Mrs Ekwueme (Dec. 2014)
Dibueze and Ahmed Joda

June
22,2015
TheAsikaFamily
Onitsha
AnambraState
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE
On behalf of my family, I write to condole with you and the entire Asika family on the
death of the matriarch of the family, who was a mother to all of us, Her Excellency, Chief
ChinyereAsika.
Death, no matter when and how it takes place, is often a painful experience, especially
when it is that of a respectful matriarch, valued for her contributions to nation-building.
It creates a deep wound in the heart which only time and submission to the will of God
heal. Mama's death is certainly a huge loss not only to her family, but also to those who
knew her closely. It is even sadder that it took place at these trying times, when her
motherlyadviceandcareareneededby thecountry.
Though Mama may be physically no more, we are comforted by the fact that she lived a
purposeful life and left the legacy of honour. This legacy will live on through the
activities of her children in various walks of life. We share with your family and loved
ones,thepainofherdeath.
We shall certainly miss her presence, but we cannot question God, whose Will remains
supreme at all times. We can only pray to Him to welcome Mama into His kingdom, and
yourimmediatefamily,thefortitudetobeartheloss.
Once again, accept our heartfelt sympathies and assurances of being with your family at
thistimeofgrief.
PeterObi,CON

Amb. Dr Kema Chikwe,
Richard Branson and Dibueze
Dibueze, El Rufai, Obasanjo,
Igwe Achebe & Obi Asika At
Commissioning Of Ukpabi
Asika Park, Abuja
Dibueze, E. K. Clark
and Igwe Achebe

East Central State Banquet

TRIBUTE TOCHIEF MRS.CHINYERE ASIKA
Mrs. Chinyere Asika was the wife of a family friend, Dr. Ukpabi Asika of Onitsha in Anambra State. She was the
daughter of Chief Ejiogu of Egbu in Owerri, Imo State. I came very close to her and the husband in 1968 in Lagos
when the husband Dr. Ukpabi Asika was appointed the Administrator of the old East Central State with
HeadquartersinEnugu. ButunfortunatelyheoperatedfromQueen'sdriveinLagosasaresultofthecivilwar.
Chinyere, as we all fondly called her, was a very woman with a sound educational foundation from Queen's
College, Lagos. She supported the husband throughout the period of the war until it ended in 1970. Thereafter,
they moved to Enugu in the same position as the Administrator of East Central State. I came very close to the
family and their families in Ontisha and Owerri. Each time I visited Enugu both as Commissioner of Education and
Finance Mid-west State, they played host to me at the Government house. She was very open hearted, kind and
very respectful. Most of her father's children stayed with her at the Government House Enugu. She played a
leading role when the Mid-West Government under Col. S.O. Ogbemudia decided to assist some secondary
schools in East Central State particularly Queen's school Enugu, Okunano Grammar School Enugu and
University of Nigeria Nsukka. She participated actively at Queen's school Enugu when I requested the students of
Queen's school and our students from Mid-west State who accompanied me to sing the National Anthem for the
rsttimeaftertheNigeriaCivilWar.Shestoodbythehusbandatthatceremonyandweallshedtearsofjoy.
She was also my daughter's guardian when I transferred her from a well-established secondary school in the Mid-
West St. Theresa Ughelli to leave with the students of Queen's school Enugu in 1970. My daughter now Mrs.
Rebecca Okorodudu was then Rebecca Clark and I still remember one of her friends Dr. Joyce Ugwegede now
Medical Director in the Federal Ministry of Defence. She was indeed a mother for all children and women. She
founded Otu Olu Obodo a woman empowerment Organization which was very practical and not amboyant. The
Organization took care of the children, women empowerment and character building unlike what the First Ladies
engaged in. I later saw her in her true colours when she played a prominent role during her father's burial at Egbu,
Owerri.
Iwaspresentattheallnight wake-keepingandthefuneralserviceattheEgbuAnglicanCathedral,Owerri.
I must not end this tribute without taking special recognition of the role she played when the husband was
seriously ill both in Nigeria and in London. She indeed stood by her husband and that prolonged his life. Now it has
pleasedthehonourtoGodtotakeaway.
She participated greatlyin the developmentofourgreatcountry.She wasaSpecialAssistantonWomenAffairsto
Governor C.C. Onoh, then Anambra State. She was Special Assistant to the Former President Obasanjo and she
was in charge of NEPAD a job she did very creditably. She was also a member of the Southern Nigeria Peoples
Assembly (SNPA), a Southern Nigeria Organization with Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi and Myself as
co-leaders.ShewasalsoaDirectorofNon-ExecutiveDirectorofZenithBank.
She came to me one day that she had decided to move back to Onitsha to take care of the family affairs. Her
passing on came to me as a great shock because we were in constant touch and she had never reported any
illnesstome.
IprayforhereternalrestinthebosomoftheLord.
CHIEF(DR.) E.K.CLARKOFR,CON

VIPCONDOLENCES
PAGE 01
VIPCONDOLENCES
PAGE 50

TRIBUTE TOMRS.CHINYERE ASIKA
The Matriarch is like a great Oak tree. When she comes down on Mother Nature's call,
there is big crashing sound as leaves kiss the earth. Then there is silence, and those
who found shelter below it are orphaned. Those of us that were adopted and became
family, like all connected by blood, must now make do with a savoring of memories
fromthetimesbeforetheagesbeckoned.
Chief Mrs. Chinyere Asika was a special and truly remarkable consort to a sage I
learnt much from, Ajie Ukpabi Asika. Ever reliable, always there, she would stand with
strength when physical fortitude began to be of challenge to him. I visited several
times in London, in the early days of the time of ailing, and she would provide colour
commentaries as Ajie and I pretended to watch Tennis matches on television while
we analyzed how the English assessed literature written in their language and
acknowledgedChinuaAchebe.
It was different from when in Lagos, she and her friends would get on someone's case
who had wronged one of them. Ajie would say to me that we better go outside before
our ears are put to suffocation by their anger. But it was in Abuja I saw this one woman
as an Army, tending to a severely ailing life partner and projecting his will. Once I
arrived and she hailed him, “Ajie oka di ugwu, your son has come”. Ajie who was
hardly recognizing people at that stage smiled and pointed to the TV set, indicating he
waskeepingupwithmeonTV.
In the years since Ajie joined the ages she has held forth. You could call on her and get
words of wisdom. As she joins her soul mate on the other side, we hold on to the
memories.
Farewellmotherofmany.
PatOkedinachiUtomi

General And Senator Mrs
Danjuma With Dibueze
PAGE 59
General Yakubu Gowon
and Dibueze
Dibueze in a handshake
General Danjuma
with Dibueze

Truly,anextraordinarywoman!
Atribute tothegreatamazonofourtime–ChiefMrs.ChinyereEdith UkpabiAsika,OFR
If there is any occasion when words fail to dene and describe, it is indeed now, that we are gathered to come to terms with
the reality that Chief Mrs Chinyere Edith Ukpabi Asika is here no more. If my memory is not failing me, as I am not growing
any younger, it was William Shakespeare, who said that there is attery in friendship but Chief Mrs. Chinyere Ukpabi Asika
doesnotneedanyattering.
A tribute to such an extraordinary woman is a no mean task; a woman who was the strength of the life of so many going far
beyond her steads, a woman who was beyond description, the rock of her family, the gentle heartbeat to her 4 children and
grandchildren, tears to her parents, the joy to her soulmate Ajie Dr Anthony Ukpabi Asika, the inspiration at the various
places she worked, the last being NEPAD, on whose mission she only returned from South Africa, a night before, to receive
herdeath,thepillarandsupportandlovetoherfriendsandmentees(yourssincerelybeingone).
I was not disconcerted to call Mrs. Chinyere Ukpabi Asika, 'Mummy', because she was one to me, as she was to countless
others from all parts of Nigeria and beyond. I used to think I was the only one that close to her, but soon realized that there
are several others who perhaps were even closer, men and women of all walks of life, big and small, that she, like a magnet,
attractedtoherself,mentoredandinspiredtoaimfortheskyssothattheymayfallatleastamongthestars.
I have known Mummy to be generous as she was kind, patient as she was understanding, loving as she was caring; always
obliging, advising, accommodating, advocating and inspiring anyone and everyone around her. Her company and
presencewaslikeablessedassurance.
She was always welcoming of strangers, always willing to give even her last kobo to assist anybody in need; her dining
table was always set to feed everyone present. You could hardly tell who her biological child was because she was mother
to all, Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. Igbos claimed her as Nne Igbo nine – mother of all Igbos, I'm sure the Hausas, Yorubas and
otherethnic nationalitiesinNigeria,hadtheirownequivalentpetnamesforher.
My meeting with Mrs Chinyere Asika, as we were not bound by consanguinity, was essentially a chance one and had to do
with my wedding in Enugu, 29 yearsago.Some interplay offate ordivine providence through GeneralGowon,thrust it upon
her late husband, the inimitable Ajie Dr Anthony Ukpabi Asika to chair my wedding in 1986. I must confess that the Late Ajie
was not the type of person you become fast friends at rst meetings. For he was deep, reserved and ponderous; at least
that was my rst impression. But if you dared come close enough, you would soon discover that behind that façade was a
humbleandamiablepersonwaiting tobediscoveredandeverwillingtomentoryou.
I've been privileged to know and relate with the Asikas and their in-laws, the Ejiogus, as my best friends and close family
eversince.
Chief Mrs. Asika was just the opposite of the husband in terms of social graces. She was a natural magnetor. She shared
her life and resources and indeed everything she possessed with people to make them happy and make life easier for them,
a trait she carried as a scion of the famous Ejiogus of Egbu, a small village in Imo State where she hailed from. By the way,
ChiefMrsChinyereAsikawastherstdaughteroftheforemosteducationistoftheoldEasternNigeria,ChiefNathanEjiogu.
Mummy was a great Motivator! always full of ideas, espousing potentials and possibilities that anyone around her could
pursue for their maximum benet. She actively encouraged those of us, then in the diaspora to come home to Nigeria which
she always described as the land of opportunity. With her vast and incredible knowledge of history and current affairs, she
was not the one to hear about any companies of criticism of Nigeria. She will be quick to take you through a comparative

historyofothernations,toconvinceyouthatNigeriaisnotdoingbadlyandquitesimplythebestcountryintheworld.
Mrs. Chinyere Asika will remain a mystique to Ndi Igbo and the Nigerian society. The role she and her husband Ajie, played
in the Nigeria Civil War and after, will always evoke emotions, but I am privileged to know that the situation of the Igbos after
the war would have been far worse if it had not been for their very close relationship with General Gowon, General
Obasanjo,GeneralTYDanjuma,AhmedJodaandnumerousothersthenontheotherside.
The history of the Biafra war will never be complete without their own side of the story and will help guide the future
generationsofNigerianstoholdrm,neveragain!
Unfortunately, Ajie was not able to tell his own side of the story before departing, as they say, this sinful world. But I am
aware that Mummy was eager to tell her story which will make an interesting read in her forthcoming autobiography to be
published in the near future by her children. The book will be clearly demonstrative of her sacrice for this nation, an
uncompromising greatpatriotshewas!
Chief Mrs Chinyere Asika was not just a woman, she was an extraordinary woman. Every human being is unique and as
psychologists tell us, not even identical twins are identical. Chief Mrs Chinyere Asika was more than unique. She was
cerebral,gentle,kind,loving,happyandlivedatotallyfullledlife,anddeparting, lefthugefootprintsonthesandsoftime.
As Christians, we are not permitted by our faith to mourn any loss as if it is the end of life. Mummy was a devout knighted
Christian.ShelivedanexemplaryChristianlife.Herattitude was'doasIdo,andnotdoasIpreach'.
Though we are not the judge, but vox populi vox dei – voice of the people is voice of God. I am convinced that the good Lord
whogivesrestafterwork,willgrantMummyaneternalreposeforhergreatworkonearth.
IwillleaveoffwiththereassuringpoemofJohnDonn…
Death,benotproud,thoughsomehavecalledthee
Mightyanddreadful,forthouartnotso;
Forthosewhomthouthink'stthoudostoverthrow
Dienot,poorDeath,noryetcanstthoukillme.
Fromrestandsleep,whichbutthypicturesbe,
Muchpleasure;thenfromtheemuchmoremustow,
Andsoonestourbestmenwiththeedogo,
Restoftheirbones,andsoul'sdelivery.
Thouartslavetofate,chance,kings,anddesperatemen,
Anddostwithpoison,war,andsicknessdwell,
Andpoppyorcharmscanmakeussleepaswell
Andbetterthanthystroke;whyswell'stthouthen?
Oneshortsleeppast,wewakeeternally
Anddeathshallbenomore;Death,thoushaltdie.
Yesdeathbenotproud…forthisworldisnotourhome,wearepilgrimshereandmerelypassingthrough.
AdieuMummy,tillwemeetagainwheredeathhaspowernomore.
ByDrEnukoraJoe Okoli
ExecutiveViceChairman–AbujaGraduateSchool

NEPAD Continental Executive visit to NEPAD Nigeria
Dibueze at NEPAD
Igwe Achebe With Dibueze
Dibueze and Mrs Obasanjo

Lawrence Anukam 2

Mama Extraordinaire
Her Excellency, Dibueze Chinyere Asika, mother of Obodoechina, Nkiru and Uju and
many more; sister to many; condant and friend to even many more; wife to One:
Ajie Ukpabi Asika, you came, you denitely saw plenty and you absolutely
conquered all.
Your life was larger than life in parts and ethereal in simplicity in other parts. You
embodied what the next generation of women should seek for, nd and keep: A
HARDWORKING DEVOUT FAITHFUL COMMITTED FEARLESS COMPASSIONATE
WOMAN.
I will look out for the book that will tell the full and accurate story of your life to use
as one of my valued library reference books for my female daughters and aburo's,
to teach them that dogged determination and pursuit of academic excellence
(excellence in every good endeavour actually) coupled with faith in God, oneself
and others will denitely produce a great life.
I listened to you speak a few times and I still marvel at the aptness of your insight
to issues. Must be that your brain was very good at ling life's "lessons learned
reports" and cataloging them so well that the library brings up the most relevant le
for any information it was being asked to process.
I will remember you with very fond memories and pray that the next generation not
only learn from your truly amazing life but do even better in their lifetime to be
change agents and leave a sweet fragrance when in the distant future they exit the
stage like you have done.......
Rest in Peace mama Obodoechina, Nkiru and Uju........ Mama Uwa.
Chika Balogun.

Dibueze as SSA NEPAD
PAGE 70
Ukpabi And Chinyere Asika
Olu Odunjo, Dibueze,
Jacob Nwokolo, Obasanjo
and Gladys Eneli
Dibueze on duty,

TRIBUTE TO A RARE GEM, A MATRIARCH, MY
MENTOR & MY AUNTY BY MRS. IFY UMENYI
How do I start writing this tribute to my Aunty when up till now I have not come to
terms that she is no more and I will return back to Nigeria never to see her or hear her
welcome me in her house or acknowledge my voice on the phone with such love and
affection.
My Aunty, how would I have believed that my visit to you with my friend, Eng Ebele
Okeke, on the 17 March 2015 in your luxurious country home in Onitsha was a
farewell visit. But to think of it, I honestly thank God for having afforded me such a
beautiful opportunity as we had such a wonderful time gisting and laughing as usual
over many issues as well as the events of the moment.
The person of Chinyere Asika must have been many things to many people, a mother,
a mentor, a friend, an adviser, a peacemaker, a godly woman. For me,
she was all that to me and more and what I fondly called her, "My Aunty".
I am still to come across a person of such esteemed status, very well connected but
still very humble and quiet. She was accommodating, true friend to small, big and
mighty, gave listening ears to people's concerns and when necessary, pulled her
strings to make things happen. My Aunty, you were a Mother Excellency to those of us
who were privileged to have gotten that special place in your heart. You answered and
moved with me each time I called on you. I will remain ever grateful. Your legacy will
always speak for you, "NNEOMA", "NNEDIORANMA".
Aunty "mu", a virtuous woman! You exhibited so much love, loyalty, trust, and joy. Your
life impacted so positively on all that encountered you. You came, you lived well and
you triumphed. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' 'Yes', says the
Spirit, 'that they may rest in their labours, and their works follow them.'" (Rev 14:13).
May our faithful Lord receive you in His bosom and grant you eternal rest, Amen.
Congratulations my Aunty and Goodnight.
Love you always,
Ify Umenyi (Mrs).

H.E. LATE CHIEF MRS CHINYERE UKPABI ASIKA
GRAND MATRON
WOMEN ADVANCEMENT FOR ECONOMIC & LEADERSHIP EMPOWERMENT
IN AFRICA (WAELE/ARCELFA)
The Joy Of Your Living Was In Your Giving, And In Everything You Put Others First &
YourselfLast.
YouServedYourFamily,Community&TheNationWithDedication&UtmostLoyalty.
Many Times We Called On You For Advice On How To Move WAELE/ARCELFA Forward.
YouMadeYourselfAvailableEvenWhenItWasn'tConvenientForYou.
Anyone Crying To You For Help Was Sure To Be Answered No Matter The Trouble You
HadToTakeToSolveTheProblem.
YourConcernTowardsAfricanWomenAdvancementWasUnprecedented.
In Your Comfort, You Remain Simple & Humble, Never Yearning For More Than You
Absolutely Needed: For Your Joy Was Not In Accumulation. Mummy You Are Our Shining
Light &OurRoleModel.
YourFaithInAlmightyGodWasUnassailable&HEStayedTrueToYou.
WAELE/ARCELFA, Thank You Most Sincerely For Your Contribution & Dedication
TowardsAfricanWomenEmancipation.WeHoldYouDearlyInOurHearts.
OurJoyIsThatWeKnowYouAreRestingInPerfectPeace.
SleepOnMummy,InTheBosomOfTheLORD.ADIEU!!
Signed:
Otunba(Dr)BasiratNahibi.OON
Founder/President
WAELE/ARCELFA

VIP
H.E. Chief Mrs Chinyere Asika with H.E Rt Hon Joice Mujuru, Vice President of
Zimbabwe during WAELE/ARCELFA ''African Women Emancipation Conference''
2010 in Abuja
H.E. Chief Mrs Chinyere Asika adressing delegates during WAELE/ARCELFA
''African Women Emancipation Conference'' 2010 in Abuja
H.E. Chief Mrs Chinyere Asika presenting certicate of participation to delegates
during WAELE/ARCELFA ''African Women Emancipation Conference'' 2010 in Abuja
H.E. Chief Mrs Chinyere Asika, WAELE/ARCELFA Matron discussing with Saharawi
Ambassador during WAELE/ARCELFA International Conference on the ''Struggle of
Saharawi Women for Freedom'' Abuja, Sept, 2011
H.E. Chief Mrs Chinyere Asika with Arc Mrs Fatma Moma & Baroness Caroline Cox during
WAELE/ARCELFA ''African Women Emancipation Conference'' 2010 in Abuja

TRIBUTE TO CHIEF (MRS) CHINYERE ASIKA
(NEE EJIOGU)
Through Her Excellency, Mrs. Kema Chikwe I was introduced to my now close friend, Chinedu Ejiogu
('Nedum). In the course of time as our friendship developed I told Nedum about my encounter with his
late Father, Chief Ejiogu as the Chief Inspector of Education of Eastern Nigeria, and later with his elder
Sister,ChinyerebeforeshegotmarriedtoHisExcellencyChief(Dr)UkpabiAsika.
Chinyere and I together with two other young boys Nnoli and Onyegbule were privileged to be given
teaching appointments at the then Government Technical Institute Enugu in 1960 just before the
Nigerian Independence. The merit for the appointment was our expected performance at the higher
school certicate examinations which if successful was equivalent to the B.Sc Inter (intermediate)
'academic qualication'. That was regarded as no mean achievement for young lads of 18 and 19
years of age which was about our age range at that time. Apart from Chinyere who could be said to be
born with a 'silver spoon' in her mouth the three of us (boys) from very poor parentage, were privileged
to have attended the best Government secondary schools (Umuahia, Owerri and Akpo) on merit, on
government scholarship. We met every day in the academic staff room and were known to be very
loud even amongst the older teachers some of whom were full graduates. The appointment lasted for
9monthswhilstwewaitedforadmissiontoUniversitiestopursueourvariousdegreecourses.
My knowledge of Chinyere was limited to nine months but the impression she cast on me and
probablytheothertwoboyswasprofoundandindelible.
Inthoseninemonthsitwasnotdifculttoenvisiontheleadershipqualitiesofthiswomanamongmen.
Apart from her charming personality and very cheerful disposition her benevolent kind gestures were
missed by all of us when we left for the various institutions of higher learning later in October of the
sameyear.
The very few days Chinyere could not attend classes the staff room lost it glamour. We missed the
cakesandgoodiesshebroughtfromhomewhichmadeourlunchbreakworthlookingforwardto.
I am grateful to Chinedu for this opportunity to write a short tribute as I am the last of the group since
with the passing on of Chinyere I am now alone left to tell the story of the Staff Room Jokes of the
Government Technical Institute, Enugu! This is not for now. But I want to particularly remember and
thank her for recognizing me 10years after when she had become the 1st Lady of Eastern Nigeria after
she got married to His Excellency Dr. Ukpabi Asika. She accorded importance to a little fry like me in a
publicfunctionwhereonlybigtimepoliticiansweregivenseatsandpubliclyrecognized.
Since 1971 when this happened I have always remembered the event and I will always cherish
meeting herandtorecallherkindness,humility,unassumingbutstrongleadershipqualities.
I later learnt from Nedum of her involvements in NGO's tailored to the needs of the poor and
underprivileged. ThisisChinyere!Weareallwishingherapeacefulreposeinthegreaterbeyond.
Nedum, Kema, and the rest of the family I have not known so well please accept my sympathy and
take solace that your Sister and matriarch of the Ejiogu and Ukpabi families has played well her part
andishandingoverthebatontoasolidteamtocontinuetherelay.
TributeFrom:Mr.S.I.C.Okoli (ColleagueatGovernmentTechnical Institute(GTI) Enuguin1960.

Dibueze with Gov. Peter Obi SSAP and SGF discuss
SSAP, Chief Asika welcome NEPAD Business Group Chairman, Alex Ibru

Sister,
The CAPTAIN of your ship steered you
From harbour to harbour, from city to city
Showering fame, knowledge and dignity
on you,
HIS beautiful beloved creation
He gave you GRACE to touch lives on
your journey
And steered you into the hearts of all
Here HE anchored you
Forever
Hallelujah
Anene
Ps. Kene Lum Bro Tony
Like the Thornbird, you kept the best for
the last
YOU DANCED
You swayed to the rhythm with an
invisible partner, like a swan - elegant and
cool
Every movement was led by your partner.
Your face was radiant. Sheer bliss marked
every step
The prompting for the dance came from
someone invisible.
Who could this be? Who could bring so
much joy into your heart? Perhaps you
went down memory lane. Temporarily
living a life you had experienced
YOU DANCED
Your smile said it all. Like a new bride,
ecstatic in the presence of her spouse. The
music was intoxicating. Every step and
sway was in tune with the rhythm. The song
(MIERSA) must have invited a heavenly
being and your invisible partner to Egbu.
Clothed in pink and blue
YOU DANCED
You raised your hands to heaven in
thanksgiving. The invisible partner twirled
you around and the dance turned into a
waltz . Your eyes were transformed - soft
and misty like I have never seen before.
There was silence. Even the boisterous
Turkey was silent. Your brother Ibe and I
were hypnotized. Oblivious of our presence
YOU DANCED
Heaven connected to earth and produced a
picture.
An angelic picture of Chinyere Asika and her
last dance.
A picture I will remember till the day I die.
Surely you will dance again with your
invisible partner (Brother Tony). Then this
dance will go on and on and on FOREVER.
H.E. Chief Mrs Anene Afolabi

ATributetoATrailblazerforWomen'sEducation,Women'sMobilization
andFemaleEmpowermentinAfrica:H. E. Dr.Mrs.ChinyereAsika!
byDr.MarieLintonUmeh
Visiting Mr. & Mrs. Robinson Ezeife in Victoria Island, Lagos in the 1980s was a serendipitous
experience. An evening stroll precipitated the Ezeifes' introducing me to H. E. Ajie Ukpabi Asika and his
wife, H. E. Mrs. Chinyere Asika. What a prominent couple with a beautiful home laced with Nigerian art
work, carvings and sculptures tastefully decorated throughout the main parlor and dining room! After we
exchanged greetings and I enjoyed light refreshments, Mrs. Asika described the symbols and cultural
signicance of the various objets d'art in her home. Little did I know that this meeting was the beginning
ofanextraordinaryfriendship!
The second time I met Mrs. Asika was during Professor Obioma Nnaemeka's "Women in Africa
andtheAfricanDiaspora"(WAAD)ConferenceattheUniversityofNigeria,Nsukkain1992.Practicallyall
of the international and continental participants bought Nigerian artwork, Benin bronze statues, carved
ivory ornaments, carved ebony wooden stools, paintings, and sculpture, to take back to their families
and friends in America, Europe, and the Caribbean. To avoid delays at the airport and possible seizure of
souvenirs by customs' ofcials, Mrs. Asika, who was a Curator at the National Museum in Lagos, where
contemporary and traditional collections in archaeology and ethnography are held, wrote letters of
permissionforustoleaveNigeriawithourgifts.
In 2000, I ew to London to interview the Asikas for my biography on the novelist and ction
writer, Flora Nwapa Nwakuche. The former Administrator of East Central State and his wife gave me
excellent summaries of Commissioner Flora Nwakuche's accomplishments. During my research at the
Melville J. Herskovits Library inside Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, in the archives of
Nigerian daily newspapers, I found Mrs. Chinyere Asika at work in mobilizing the women through post-
war programs and rehabilitation and resettlement schemes from 1970-1975. Journalists wrote
descriptive editorials featuring Mrs. Asika helping to build maternity homes for women, comforting and
counselling stressed men, women and children, and establishing temporary orphanages for displaced
Biafran children. These articles demonstrated some of the powerful roles she played in restoring hope,
life, stability and peace into psychologically challenged and economically-strained families. Mrs. Flora
Nwakuche, Commisioner of Establishment, named the pontoon, “M. V. Chinyere” launched in Oguta on
June 4, 1974, in recognition of Mrs. Asika's philantrophic work in stabilizing families in worn-torn East
Central State. Besides the Nigerian daily neswpapers i. e., The Renaissance, Enugu, The Daily Star,
Enugu, The Daily Sketch, Ibadan, Daily Times (Lagos), The Guardian (Lagos), to name only a few,
Chinyere Asika's heroic roles during her lifetime are chronicled in magazines and journals globally.
“Women's Umbrella” is one of the chieftaincy titles bestowed on H. E. Chinyere Asika for her leadership
roles in uplifting her compatriots. Other honorary tributes for her diverse humanitarian roles are found in
H. E. Kema Chikwe's two books, Women and New Orientation: A Prole of Igbo Women in History
(1994), and Women of My Era (2003). In her 1990 SWISSAIR Diary, Flora Nwapa Nwakuche wrote:
“Whatalovelycouple…mynextbookwillbededicatedtotheAsikas.”
The last time I met Mrs. Chinyere Asika was in Abuja, Nigeria in 2003. I presented her with a working
copy of my biography on Flora Nwapa Nwakuche; she promised to give me photographs for the book. In
2011,shereceivedthepublishededition;shesentmeacongratulatorynote.
The former First Lady of East Central State, Nigeria, H. E. Dr. Mrs. Chinyere Asika (1970-75), is a
champion of “Women's Education” and “Gender Equality” globally. She proves the saying, “When you
educate a woman, you educate a nation.” I stand on her shoulders. “Your Excellency Chinyere Asika,
yourmemorywillbeeternal.”
PAGE 85

TRIBUTE TOGOD'SGIFT
How do I write a tribute to Chinyere? How do I begin to write about this 'GOD'S GIFT' to humanity,
to Nigeria, to Ndigbo, to family, colleagues and friends; this jewel of inestimable value? All her life
Chinyere impacted strongly and positively on all persons of goodwill who came in contact with in
different many capacities and circumstances. I can testify to this from personal knowledge and
experience.
For fty-eight years my family and Chinyere's have been were by strong ties of close association,
friendship and public service. Her husband, Ukpabi Asika and I rst met fty-eight years ago as
undergraduates and classmates at University College Ibadan and were immediately attracted to
each other by our love of rigorous intellectual discourse and our compatible views and personal
idiosyncrasies We soon spearheaded the formation of a small group of radical thinkers
notorious for its late breakfast meetings, and were fully engaged in student and national political
debates and agitations. We both left Ibadan in 1962, he for UCLA, I for Cambridge, but kept in
touch. WebothreturnedtoIbadanin1965inthemidstoftheNigeriannationalcrisis.
He and Chinyere, whom he had met at UCLA, had set up home and as a bachelor I became their
constant visitor, only too happy to enjoy the home comforts so cheerfully and generously
provided by Chinyere. One evening I called as usual to see, evidently feeling at home, a young
lady, who had only that morning guided and directed me in my search for documents at the
National Archives on the same campus. They had all three been together at UCLA! Ukpabi and
Chinyere played Cupid and we soon became a foursome. We weathered the national crisis
together. I had the privilege of being Best Man at Chinyere and Ukpabi's's formal Church
Wedding at Egbu, while Eyiuche and I got married in Enugu in April 1967. But the national crisis
soon came to a head, with the creation of the 12-state structure on May 27, 1976 by the Federal
Military Government and the proclamation of the Republic of Biafra three days later by
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, former Governor of the Eastern Region, who happened to
beEyiuche'srstcousin.
Ukpabi and I took our independent decisions on the best course of action, he accepting
appointment as administrator of the new East Central State, I going on to serve in the Biafran
Armed Forces. But, as Gowon, Obasanjo and Odumegwu-Ojukwu came to know, nothing could
fracturethebondsofmutuallove,respectandtrustbetweenourtwofamilies.
When the civil war ended I was incarcerated in Lagos till April. Chinyere provided succor for my
pregnant wife and my rst son, facilitating their visit to see me in prison. The rst post-war
government of Ukpabi Asika was rooted on the three Rs: Rehabilitation, Reconciliation and
Reconstruction. He appointed a Cabinet consisting of nine 'ex-rebels' (including me), and three
'ex-vandals'. Chinyere had the delicate task of managing 'Women Affairs', mobilizing all the
women of the State, from both sides of the past struggle, for the epic task. She set about this by
inaugurating and building up a formidable organisation: OTU OLU OBODO (Association for

Community Service), providing a model for other rst ladies across the country. CHINYERE e
empanelled, as the organization's rst line of command the wives of Commissioners and top
public servants. They not only mobilized women for community development but also
sensitized women to their essential role monitoring the activities of public ofce holders and
ofcials, and giving voice to their concerns and needs for relevant sustainable development.
Thismadesomeofusuncomfortable,butkeptusonourtoes!
Chinyere's greatest contributions were yet to come. With the 1975 coup the Asikas left
Government House and relocated to their private residence in Enugu. Here in short order
Chinyere created a calm and dignied ambience for life after ofce. The Ukpabi-Chinyere home
retaineditsserenityandbecameahavenforoldfriends.
When her husband became the Ajie of Onitsha, she played her complex traditional roles with
dignity andelan.
The progressive incapacitation of Ukpabi through stroke brought out to full notice her true
greatness as loving wife and self-sacricing care giver. All the time she maintained her husband's
linkages, and continued promoting his ideas and ideals. She continued to build up a family
worthyofbothofthem,childrenanyonecanbeproudof. Truly,aJewelofinestimablevalue.
Life still had more challenges, and more triumphs, for Chinyere Asika, this time in the public
domain.
Her leadership and management skills came to general public notice when she was appointed
Senior SpecialAdviserto the President on NEPAD. . AsaGovernance Consultant I wasprivileged
to work with her on the NEPAD project, and was deeply impressed. Chinyere was in control of
her environment, sure of her purpose, certain of her goals and systematic in her pursuit of them.
She was the quintessential bridge-builder, establishing functional linkages with and bringing
together a whole range of organizations and institutions across sectors and levels relevant to
NEPAD work, from the Africa Business Forum and the Manufactures Association to the Trade
Guilds and Market Women's Organisations. Under her leadership the NEPAD NIGERIA OFFICE
becamethemodelcountryofceforNEPADandtheAfricaUnion.
Under the Yaradua-Jonathan regimes Chinyere remained a treasured Adviser serving on the
Central Committee of Vision 2020 and was essentially an Ambassador at Large for the
Administration. It is striking, but perhaps appropriate, that, as I understand, she died on duty,
followingameeting inLagostodiscussherlatestofcialmissioninSouthAfrica.
What more can I say? A lot, but let me conclude with a word to the Ukpabi Asikas, to
Obodoechina, Nkiru, Uju and their children. It is given to few to have had two such illustrious
parents as your mum and dad. From your record of success in your various elds of endeavor, it
is clear that your legacy has already inspired and motivated you. We hope you will continue to do
themproud.
NDONU
MaythenoblesoulofChinyereUkpaboAsikaRESTINPEACE
UkwuIguwoUkwu

MY TRIBUTE TO CHINYERE - MY FRIEND
Chinyere and I rst met at Los Angeles in 1962 when she came in from San Francisco to
do her masters course. She moved in with me and we lived together until she got her own
at and moved out. When she moved out, we saw each other often and our friendship
blossomed. Chinyere was very cool and we got on very well.
I soon nished my course and returned to Nigeria while she stayed on till she got married
to Ukpabi Asika. I started work at the National Archives and visited her immediately she
told me they had come back to Ibadan and were working at the University of Ibadan. I met
my husband, Prof Ukwu, in their house. I was aware that my husband was a good friend
of Ukpabi Asika.
Chinyere and I took up from where we stopped and soon after got engaged, and got
married afterwards. My husband was the best man at their wedding. We were preparing
for our wedding when the war broke out. My husband and I came back to Enugu while
they stayed on in Ibadan. The war raged on for two and a half years and they had their
rst child during the war, while we had ours in Biafra. I went to Lagos to look for my
husband and while I was there I met Chinyere again and stayed with her. She resettled me
in Lagos and looked after me during the period. I was able to locate my husband when he
was in the Prisoner of war camp.
Ukpabi Asika was administrator of East Central state and when my husband came back,
he was made a commissioner for industry but later on for Finance. Our friendship bond
grew because we met regularly at Government functions till we became more like sisters.
After the coup, we all left ofce but my friendship with Chinyere still continued. When her
husband fell ill and was taken abroad for ten years, Chinyere took care of him religiously
and my husband and I visited them there, and kept in touch until he came back. On his
return, we visited them in Abuja often. Tony died a few years after he came back with
Chinyere.
My grandson died in April and I called to inform her. She told me she was travelling to
South Africa that morning and on her return she would come and see us. Imagine my
surprise, when I heard Edith was dead. It took some time for me to believe it was
Chinyere. I remember calling her cousin, Joy Ezillo, to conrm it was Chinyere. I am still
trying to get used to the news, hopefully one day I will.
Chinyere was a good, devoted friend and sister. I will always remember her. May her
gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
From Comfort Ukwu

EnyiMrs.IfechukwukwuluEunice U.Obianwu
10RiverLayoutAba
To:OjinakaObiAsikaandsisters
NkiruEnyiNwaezebuona
UjuEnyiAmalunweze
Letterofcondolence
I write to commiserate with you and the entire Asika family on the exit to eternity of your
dearest mum, HE Edith Dibueze Chinyere E. Ukpabi Asika OFR which occurred on the
3rdofMay2015.
I know that your mum's death is a great loss to you and women in general .As
exemplary as she was, she was also an inspiring woman of great integrity, diligence,
knowledgeableandselessinvariouscapacities.
Chi as I fondly called her has been my friend since our secondary school years,
married at Onitsha and as members of Onitsha Anglican Women Association, home
and abroad; members of women's guild and mother's union. We have remained friends
tothegloryofGodtillheruntimelydeath.
Your mum, Chinyere was also a great achiever who could analyze a situation with
incredible swiftness and accuracy without fear or favour. As we mourn her transition,
letusalsocelebratethelegaciessheleftbehindandgivethankstoGodalmighty.
My daughter Ifeoma Ina Obasi, her God daughter and my entire family miss her dearly
.MayGodbewithyouallasyougiveherthedeservednalrespect.
My prayer for you and the entire Asika family is that of comfort and peace. God bless
youandprotectyoualways.Mayhergentlesoulrestinperfectpeace.
AdieuChinyere
AdieuDibueze.
Onbehalfof
LateBarr.Eric Obianwu'sFamily

TRIBUTE TO A NATION BUILDER AND MY BELOVED
MENTOR
TRIBUTETOANATIONBUILDERANDMYBELOVEDMENTOR
A great Iroko tree has fallen. My great leader your sudden death was a great shock to
everyone that knows you. Death is inevitable; the almighty God knows the best. With mixed
feelings and disbelief as if it was not real but it is true Aunty you are dead. I couldn't imagine
after all we discussed about the new program you were into, that led you to South Africa,
thenextnewswouldbeyourdemise.
My biggest Aunty your death is a very big shock and blow not only to me but to the entire
nation. You were a great pillar, a peaceful and a loving friend to all, especially those whose
lives you touched, like your (GOWEM) Global Organization for Women Empowerment
Nigeria, (OAWA) Onitsha Anglican Women Association and others, too numerous to
mention.
I thank God for the life you lived on earth. I remember when we stayed together; laughed
together, ate together at conferences, carried out political and religious activities together.
You have run and nished the race; I miss your motherly and friendly advice which you
always gave me whenever we stayed together. All your advice will never depart from me; I
willalwaysrememberyouandthefamilyyouleftbehindinmyprayers.
Aunty you were a great woman, my leader you treated me like a sister, just like you did to
everyone that comes across you with respect and love both young and old. You gave a
listening ear not to fulll any righteousness but actually to give attention and support to
everybody.
Aunty I love you but God loves you most. Sleep well my leader, my lovely friend and my
mentortillwemeettopartnomore.Goodnight ChiefMrs.ChinyereAsika(OFR)
AdieuHerExcellency
AdieuBridgeBuilder
AdieuGreatLeader
AdieuRareGem
AdieuLovelyFriend
Signed
Hon.LadyDr.ChinweGloriaNzegwu(JP,NMMA)
PresidentOAWA(Abroad)
SouthEastCo-ordinatorGOWEN(Enugu Branch)

Dibueze and Dr Mrs Mangzha
Dibueze and Chike Offodile JrDibueze and Lady Regina Anionwu

TRIBUTE TO A WOMAN OF INESTIMABLE VIRTUE-
CHIEF MRS CHINYERE ASIKA, OFR (NNEIGBO-
GBURUGBURU)
Toeverything onearth,thereisatimeandaseason.Timetobebornandtimetodie.
It was like a dream on the 3rd day of May, 2015, when the news ltered in that Dibueze, the
mother of our own Obi, Nky, Uju and Nwando – Chief Mrs. Chinyere Edith Asika had passed
on.Nneigbo-Gburugburu,yourdeathisstilllikeabigjoke.
Death you are indeed a respecter of nobody, you have no boundary, no friends and no enemy.
You hit once it is time. Mummy, your departure is a big loss to your family and to those of us
whosharedinyourmotherlycareandlove.
We will forever miss you but you will certainly live in the hearts of all of us who crossed paths
withyoudirectly.
You were a unique mother, bridge builder and a leader. You lived a life worthy of emulation,
andyouhave left anindeliblefootprintinthesandsoftime.
You retained me as a your lawyer in Abuja, even when you had never known me from Adam.
And you trusted me so much to the extent that you entrusted enormous responsibilities to me
without any fear or reservation. Indeed, my relationship with you has been positively
impactfulandmorallyenriching.
I am condent that you have crossed triumphantly to Heaven where you will share eternal joy
withourLordJesusChrist.
Your death is a further conrmation of Williams Shakespeare's quote to the effect that 'Death
is a necessary end that will come when it will come” Adieu Nneigbo! Adieu Dibueze! Adieu
GreatMother!
Barr.ChukaUba
Mama'sYoungLawyer.

Mrs Chinyere Ukpabi-Asika, An Amazon,
Truthfully!!!
There are occasions we walk in and it seems the breath of life is sucked, sucked completely
out of us. You don't know what it is, but you realise you, you are in the absolute presence of
greatness. No matter how intelligent you think you are, no matter what your experience in life
is,nomatterwhereyouarecomingfrom.Youaresubdued!
In her presence there was no failure, in her presence you were the unmovable mountain, for in
her presence you discovered whom you are, in her presence you were unstoppable, in her
presenceyourealisedyouwereGod'schosenchild!
In her presence the high and mighty seemed subdued before her, she never was one to aunt
her being, she never intended to show herself. She tried, in subduing her background to just be
you, whilst trying to hide an unbelievable calibre of knowledge, knowledge of whom you were,
are, only because she wanted to show you, show you who she was, a messenger, messenger
oflove!
In her presence, you found yourself, in her presence you could be you, in her presence time
stood still. In her presence you begged for more. More of you, more of her time, more of the
simple concept of time, in her presence you craved knowledge, knowledge of life, knowledge
ofyourexistence,knowledgeofthispricelessepitomeofgrace!
My darling Aunty, whom I always craved to call "mum", you came and went the way of an
Amazon.
Nda. Aunty, "Mum" Chinyere Ukpabi-Asika (First Lady of the East Central Region of Nigeria),
(Servant and Believer in and of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) a lady of grace, truthfully an
AmazonofBeauty,Peace,Unity,RestinPeace,restinthethebosomofourLord,sleepon!
love,
OzoluaAGiwa-Amu(OZ)

Chinyere is one of the most extraordinary friends I have ever known (Note I said “friends” and not
woman). After the rst time we met my wife (correctly) remarked “She is amazing – her smile lit up
theentireroom!” Itwastrue,herinfectioussmilelituphundredsofrooms.
When she and Ukpabi began to date most of their common friends took pity on her because they
feared that her bubbly personality would be totally eclipsed by Ukpabi's indomitable personality. They
weresowrong!
He not only refused to overshadow her but he came to depend on her in so many ways! I adored the
way they expressed their love in public, not giving a damn what people thought! Their love was
severely tested just prior to the outset of the Biafran war. I was so touched by the letter he wrote to me
(June1,1967):
Chinyere is still here with me, but I don't know for how long. Her appreciation and commitment to a
Nigerian reality is unhappily, but understandably, different from mine. Understandably, but alas
tragically for me, she does [not] wish to be cut off from her family and to be put in opposition to her
people. On the other hand, I now recognize and accept the necessity to ght, more actively, for the
survivalofmycountryandhenceinapparentoppositiontomyfamilyandmyIbokinsmen.
FortunatelysheresolvedtostaywithUkpabiinsteadofreturning hometoherfamily/people!
Chinyere had unlimited patience that she demonstrated in so many ways. Once Tammy and I decide
that we wanted to buy some Nigerian cloth and Chinyere volunteered to take us to a large cloth market.
She told us that she would not only take us to a large market but would introduce us to the woman who
basically ran that market “who never carried less than $1 million under her clothes.” She told us to pick
theclothwelikedandshewouldtranslate.
After bargaining for many months all over Nigeria I thought that I was pretty good at it – until I met this
woman! She started at 200 shillings and I countered with 5 shillings. For the next three hours Chinyere
had to translate our mutual “hard luck stories” why we were so poor that we couldn't give in to the
other. I couldn't believe how patient Chinyere was translating for 3 hours. She did lose her composure
occasionally when every 20 minutes or so the woman spliced in the only English she spoke “white
cheapskate.” Finally after being stuck for almost an hour at 20 vs 17 shillings Chinyere suggested I
give her 20 since we had other places to go. To my shock she refused to accept my 20 and said “I
enjoyed bargaining with you so much please give me just 17.” With a big hug the “white cheapskate”
leftwithhisbeautifulnewclothadmiring theincrediblepatienceofhisdearfriendChinyere.
People who knew her only as a couple could never appreciate how truly intelligent she was. She got
the highest grades in graduate school and was on her way to an illustrious career which was sadly
interrupted by the war and later her children. Fortunately she loved and was so fullled by her children
that I don't think she regretted the absence of a career. Those who knew her well knew how intelligent
and competent she was. Thus, I was not surprised at all when I read that President Obasanjo
appointedhertobeoneofhiscloseadvisors!
I will always treasure our friendship, her wonderful personality that touched so many. I feel so
fortunatetobeamongthem!
Warmly,
Jerry
fromGeraldBender
ExpertonAfricaandU.S.foreignpolicytowardthecontinent
AssociateProfessorEmeritusofinternationalrelations,USCCollegeofLetters,ArtsandSciences
Tribute from Gerry Bender

Stella Obasanjo, Dibueze
and Victoria Gowon
Holly, Abigail, Chinyere,
Olu Odunjo & Aunty
Gladys Eneli
Comfort Ukwu, Dibueze
and Friends

H.E. CHIEF MRS CHINYERE ASIKA, OFR, (DIBUEZE); FROM EZEAGU WITH
LOVE.
I am compelled by special privilege to tell the world how grateful we are as Ezeagu-Igbudu-people for the
remarkable, and unforgettable gift given to us by this irreplaceable, elegant, and quintessential rst lady of the
thenEastCentralState,HerExcellency, ChiefMrsChinyereAsika,OFR.
My rst encounter with the First Lady was immediately after the Biafra-Nigeria war when I went to St. Brigids
primary school Asata to collect what was then called relief being given to returning refugees. While standing
in-line, we were received by this majestic-lady whose smile was so infectious that it gave us the assurance
that we were home at last; safe from the bombardments of air raids. Her smile was so warm that most of us
waiting to collect various items forgot why we were there in the rst instance. It was a smile every loving and
caringmotherwillgivetoherlonglostchild,itwasindeedverycomforting;Iheldontoitformanyyears.
By act of providence my mother took me to visit a friend of hers, a lady I grew to know as Aunty Joy Ezeilo, the
wife of then Magistrate Malachy Ezeilo from Aguobu-Owa; Ezeagu-Igbudu in the then Udi Local government
Area. The magistrate was also a good friend and colleague of my father, Tony Gbanite, as he was fondly called
by his friends. Incidentally my father was recalled by the Administrator, Ajie Dr. Ukpabi Asika, as the deputy
chief Information ofcer of the ministry of information, to help rebuild that ministry and instil condence into
theheartsofndiigbobypropagatingthemantraof'novictor,novanquished'.
During that visit Aunty Joy mooted to my mother that she wanted her to organize some like-minded women to
welcome the First Lady to Ezeagu; my mother asked why? The First Lady is my cousin, and I want her to visit
my husband's place, replied Aunty Joy. My mother swung into action, mobilized a select group of Ezeagu
women. The buzz became so loud that their husbands wanted to be part of the action too; and in 1971, the
augustvisittookplace.
The visit was the rst of its kind by the rst lady to any community within Enugu vicinage. Our brothers from
Udi who missed out on the event were so jealous to the point that they threatened to sanction Ezeagu for not
letting Udi into the action. During that maiden visit, the First Lady in her speech challenged Ezeagu people to
considerhavingitsownlocalgovernmentbybreakingawayfromUdi.
That challenge was held on to by the great aunty Joy and my mother. The Idea was sold to my father, who
contacted his intellectual friends from Ezeagu namely, Barrister Tony Mogbo (a commissioner then), Negro
Anya of blessed memory, the then Igwe Ozobu of blessed memory, for discussions. It was later agreed that
the membership should be expanded to include Chief Nnachetam of blessed memory, Chief Ozoekwem. To
avoid any disruption of this venture, Leaders of thought from Udi like, Chief C.C. Onoh, Prof. Odenigwe
(commissioner then), Justice Aniagolu, Justice Nnaemeka Agu, and a few others were consulted. They gave
their permission and a plebiscite was held. The birth of Ezeagu as an independent local government area
becamearealityin1973.
At this point it's imperative to mention that without the initiative of aunty Joy Ezeilo, my mother and others who
mobilized the women, who now go by the name 'Ezekwesili-Women'; the noble men of Ezeagu; and to a
greater part, the inuence of the then remarkable, irreplaceable, and unforgettable First Lady, H.E. Chief Mrs
Chinyere Asika on her husband, Ajie Ukpabi Asika, Ezeagu local Government would not have been
established.
Therefore if all those who served as local Government Chairmen of Ezeagu in the past, and current; all former
governors of the states carved out of old East Central State suffer from what Nedum Ejiogu, my good friend,
and sibling of the late Chinyere Asika, calls 'retroactive-resentment'; those of us who know our history will
always love our dear First Lady. Therefore permit me to say to Ndaa Chinyere, as a son and representative of
Ezeagupeople,Isayweloveyou,Adieu,andthanksforever.
A.U. MaxGbanite
Defence&SecurityExpert

4thMay2015
TheUkpabiAsikaFamily
c/oHisRoyalMajesty,TheObiofOnitsha
Onitsha
AnambraState
CONDOLENCEMESSAGE
It is with great sadness that we received the shocking news this morning of the sudden death
of Dr/Mrs Chinyere Ukpabi Asika, who has creditably and graciously served as Vice
Chairman of our Governing Council till her untimely death. We lack the words to express our
senseoflossforhergreatwisdomandcontributionsonourCouncil.
As a pioneer member of the Council, she played an active role in crafting the mission and
vision of Abuja Graduate School, and has never relented in pushing the management
towards achieving the milestones for the institution. Although she was of the quiet and
humble disposition, she never felt rufed by any situation. She would take her chance to
present her arguments, espousing endless possibilities which enlightened everyone. Dr/Mrs
Chinyere Asika was a great teacher and educationist, a patriot, a woman of substance and
hadutmostrespectofallhercolleaguesontheCouncil.
No doubt, she is a great and irreparable loss to Abuja Graduate School. May God Almighty
granthergentlesouleternalrestandperfectpeace.
ForandonbehalfofAbujaGraduateSchool
Signed:-
ProfessorCAOnwumechili Hon.ShehuGarba(SarkinNoma)
Chairman,Governing Council Chairman,BoardofDirectors

TRIBUTE TO A GREAT WOMAN
CHIEF MRS CHINYERE ASIKA O.F.R
The news of your mother's unexpected call to glory was shocking. The good lord
gives and takes as He wills without our human consent. But be comforted, all of you
that she gave you an excellent opportunity to become whatever you will and thank
the almighty God for her life. May her kind and gentle soul rest in perfect peace in the
bosom of the lord.
Lady Beatrice Nonye Aduba J.P
(MOTHER OF FAITH)
Award of Mother of Faith to
Chief Mrs chinyere asika .O.F.R
on 15th August 2009 at Emmanuel
Anglican Church, Onitsha.
Thanksgiving service Sunday after
the investiture as Mother of Faith at
Emmanuel Anglican Church, Onisha.

Dizueze and GOWEM
Women
Dibueze at an event (2014)
Elly Okoro, Dibueze
and Lily Udeozo

TRIBUTE TO CHIEF MRS. CHINYERE ASIKA,
DIBUEZE, ADAUGONDIIGBOJIE JE MBA.
I was shocked when I learnt of the death of Chief (Mrs.) Chinyere Asika, more so because I had always
knownhertobeofexcellenthealth.DeathinitselfcanbecruelbutwhathasoccurredtoAda-Ugo-e-ji-
e-je-Mba canbestbedescribedasatransitiontoeternalglory.
I had not met Chief (Mrs.) Asika till the 80s, but we had heard of the stunning and cerebral First Lady of
East-Central state, who was from a very illustrious family and was married to the only civilian governor
and probably the most intellectual member of that regime. We had heard of her humility, love for
humanity and love for her people and culture. When Chief (Mrs.) Asika chose the title DIBUEZE, it was
to show her love and respect for her husband as well as to impart into the women folk these same
virtues as one of the pillars of Igbo family life. In later years when illness had drained her husband, she
stillsathimuponhisthroneinthesitting roomholdingcourt.
We became friends as members of the Igbo socio-cultural group ''Eziokwu bu ndu'' an afliate of the
NPN, there she was an excellent and indefatigable mobilizer, Chief (Mrs.) Asika was not a woman
leader, she was a LEADER! Her leadership inspired so many around her regardless of status, religion,
ethnicity, or education she was subtle and yet rm, she never compromised on her principles but
always listened and acknowledged if the argument was superior. She also made sure she assisted
family and friends; I cannot count how many things she did for me or members of my family, including
givingmysonajoborevenpeopleIintroducedtoher.
When she was appointed by Pres. Obasanjo to start NEPAD, she assembled bright and willing hands
and began from her living room!! From there she built one of the brightest gems of the Obasanjo
regime, as the dimmers of positive light began recruiting banal evildoers to resist her from within and
outside her ofce, she smiled and continued her good work, even when she was offered a second
tenureshedeclined.ThatwasvintageChief(Mrs.)Asika.
Chief (Mrs.) Asika had a dream of the promotion of the African woman and she lived it, she organized
co-operatives to empower women with farms of their own and the needed capital and implements to
start-up. GOWEM her brainchild, has been a vehicle for direct empowerment and will continue to keep
her legacy alive. She contributed to the promotion of IGBO culture and heritage in Asia, Southeast Asia
andotherpartsoftheworld.
Ada-ugo-eji-e-jem-ba arranged for her daughters to be initiated into the IGBA ODU (IYOM) society, one
of the things she felt seriously about, was the younger generation's disdain for their culture; she always
dressed in beautiful attires that depicted her proud Owerri/Onitsha heritage. Over time, she acquired
alongwithherhusbandoneofthelargestcollectionsofNigerianTraditionalandModernart.
It is to her credit that her children are very successful professionals and groundbreaking entrepreneurs
and her extended family are all in good terms because of her motherly antics of always keeping the
peaceandnipping potentialconictsinthebud.
AdieuyourExcellency-Chief(Mrs.)Edith ChinyereAsika(DIBUEZE,ADAUGOEJIEJEMMBAIGBO
IyomDorothyOkide

AdieuEnyiNwanyi(Nne IgboGburugburu)
Diyi Bukwo Eze! As I fondly called and in your gentle soft voice on answering the phone
would reply "Nwachi Kedu? where are you?" and before I could respond you would
quickly add, 'Lagos, USA or London?' and we would both erupt in laughter. When I
responded that I was away from Onitsha. "When will you be back?" you would ask and
then go ahead to share your itinerary. I would cut short my trip on many occasions to be
around whenever you visited Onitsha just to enjoy your warm company and friendship.
Dibueze you were a complete woman. Reserved, soft-spoken, unassuming, kind,
beautiful, circumspect and most importantly a true friend. One of your many enviable
qualities which I admired so much was your ever present disarming smile.
My sympathy goes to the Ejiogu family for this sudden loss of their amiable co-ordinating
minister ofasister(AdaEjiogu).
To Obodoechina, Nkiru, Uju and Yetunde you have lost a condant, friend, mum and your
encyclopedia. May God grant you the strength to get through this very difcult period.
AcceptmyCondolence,
NwachiCarolNkiru Megafu
Edith,is thishowit ends?
It began when your dad brought you to our house in San Francisco. He said you were to attend
the prestigious Mills College, but they had not yet opened and he needed a place he trusted for
his daughter to stay till then. Of course, we agreed. When Mills College resumed, we took you
there and settled you in to resume classes. Some weekends you would come and stay with us
inSanFrancisco..
Ah, yes! You also met your husband, Tony, in our house. The South African students brought the
famous singer, Miriam Makeba, to our house to join our B. Y. O. B. party. Tony heard about it and
came from Los Angeles. The rest, as they say, is history! I hope you and Tony enjoyed your
birthdaylastFriday.
VayaconDios,Edith.
MsTerriEmezi
Awaka,Owerri

Dibueze, Princess Ngozi Nnadozie And Dr Menakayah
Dibueze, Champion of Women

Kema Chikwe, Lily Udeozo, Dibueze, Ifeyinwa Chigbo, Chief Joy Ezeilo
Oby Tabansi, Dibueze, Chief Joy Ezeilo and Friends

Ourdear Dibueze,
The surprise of your departure adds to our knowledge of the enormity of our very mortal
hollowness. You left with practically no fuss and kept that enigma of the rst lady as an
intellectual,anotherexampleof arstladywithaspiritofselfeffacementandplainhardwork.
We thank God for your life and the warmth you always accorded from those distant days at
Government House Enugu and very remarkably just last Christmas,when you kept announcing
toNneka"thisismyson"!
Farewell,your Excellency,you have played your part as symbol of a woman of great conviction
standingwithloveandpridewheremanywouldfalterin suchhistoric circumstances.
Wemourntheendof aneraand praytheGreatLordtoblessyoursoulinHisbosom.
OmeloraTonyandDibuezeDrNnekaNnachetta
OgbueTonyNnachetta
HonorableCommissionerforYouthandSports
AnambraStateGovernment
Tributetoaveryspecial AuntyandagreatwomanfromDr.ChitoNwana
DearAuntyChinyere,
It breaks my heart that I will not hear you call me “my doctor” again. You were my big Aunty. One
of the things I loved most was just being in your company because I was comfortable to talk
about anything. You enjoyed when I brought Nathan over as he made you laugh so hard
especiallywhenhetriedtoimitate thosedancingontheTV.
When I made the decision to open Tabitha MedicalCenter and wasconcerned that doing soin an
unfamiliar environment may be challenging, you encouraged me and gave me your full support.
You registered at the medical center, attended our events and from that day you started calling
me “my doctor”. You were so good in following all my instructions, which made you my best
patientever!
You are a remarkable woman, mother, aunty, mentor and friend. You will always be remembered
for your peaceful nature, humility, rare kindness, and loving heart. Your legacy will always live
on.
RestinGod'sEmbrace.
Loveyoualways,
ChitoNwana

Dibueze Chinyere Asika OFR. Complete funeral tribute booklet

Dibueze Chinyere Asika OFR. Complete funeral tribute booklet

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Dibueze Chinyere Asika OFR. Complete funeral tribute booklet