Virginia was born on January 14, 1960, into the family of Mr. Silvanus and Mrs. Jemima Obika (of blessed memory), both from Eziagu, Ezioko, Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Virginia Obika attended her early education
at the famous St. John's Primary School Oko, where she obtained her First
School Leaving Certificate. She went to Basden Girls' School, Isulo in Orumba
South Local Government Area of Anambra State. She continued her education at
Eziagu Teachers' Training College, Orumba South Local Government Area, and
Anambra State. Still thirsty for knowledge, she went to Federal College of
Education, Okene, Kogi State for her N.C.E. She studied at Nnamdi Azikiwe
University (UniZik), Awka, Anambra State, for her degree course.
It is often said that marriage is one of the
most beautiful gifts God has given to mankind. Virginia married her heartthrob,
Mr. Augustine Ikechelu, a fellow colleague in the teaching profession and a
native of Awkuzu in Anambra State's Oyi Local Government Area. Sadly enough,
the opinions between them seemed completely irreconcilable. And that marriage
died.
Virginia was a devout Anglican and a member
of the Women's Guild of the Christ Church, Ezi-oko, Oko.
Being the second daughter, Virginia grew up
as a very hardworking and obedient young girl who faithfully served her
parents. In her earthly sojourn, she traversed the nation when she lived at
Funtua in Katsina State with her late uncle, Mr. Christian Okeke Obika. During
the 30 months of the Nigeria/Biafra imbroglio (1967–1970) that ended in a fiasco
against Biafra, Virginia was with her late wealthy auntie, Mrs. Roseline
Ukaahachi Ezezika.
Madam Ezezika was popularly called "Mama
Nsukka," a cognomen that came from her lifetime philanthropic
activities at Nsukka. Shortly after the civil war, Sir Christopher Ekwueme, who
was later given the sobriquet, "Idi Entitled" picked Virginia to live
with him in Lagos when he was promoted to Manager at the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN). Finally, Virginia lived with her elder brother, Ben Obika, who worked
for Bashorun MKO Abiola's Concord newspaper conglomerate in Maiduguri and Jos.
Virginia worked with Oko Micro Finance Bank
and later did a stint teaching at Gaius Benton Nursery and Primary School at
Oko. She began her teaching career at Anam Community, Anambra West Local
Government Area of Anambra State. She spent most of her teaching career in the
Anam region. Later, she made a triumphant return by making several transfers
within Nanka metropolis: Unicef Primary School Nkwo-Agu Nanka and Isigwunwagu
Central School (ICS) Ifite Nanka, where she retired in January 2019.
Just five months ago, when Virginia's health
began to deteriorate, Mr. Sunday Obika solicitously moved her from the village to a
famous BAYMAR EYECARE, SURGERY & LASER CENTER, LAGOS. There, she was
carefully taken care of for about five weeks before referring her to Professor
(Dr) N.N. Nwosu of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital under the
Guinness Eye Center department, who treated her up to December 6, 2022.
Prof. Nwosu scheduled her for another
appointment on January 3, 2023, which she did not make. Unfortunately, her
illness worsened on Thursday, December 8th, 2022, creating an unpleasant
situation. She slipped into a coma later in the day, which made Mr. Apollos
Ezeobele immediately rush her to St. Augustine's Hospital Oko.
She was there until that black Saturday on
December 10, 2022, when she went into the paroxysms of death and passed on.
Her sudden passage to the spirit world caused the majority of her relatives,
friends, and well-wishers to break out into a paroxysm of sobbing. Since this
is our sin-darkened and dirty world, it is not an abiding place; one day, we
must say goodnight here and good morning up there. Through Jesus Christ, I hope
to see you in heaven at last.
She is survived by Chukwudalu Obika, her son;
Mr. Ben Obika, her brother; and sisters: Mrs. Paulina Offorjama, Mrs. Margaret
Nwankwo; Mrs. Rebekah Eze, Mrs. Bridget Okereke, Mr. Ogonna, and Mrs. Ethel
Ezeobele.
Post a Comment