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Grace Onaiwu Omoigui (Mama G) (1933 – 2016)

By Mathias Okwe, Assistant Business Editor, Abuja
07 January 2017   |   12:25 am
The final journey eternal of an educationist, judicial officer, philanthropist, community leader and a one –time Magistrate and Chairman of Lagos State Rent Edict Tribunal, Barrister (Mrs.) Grace Onaiwu Omoigui...

grace-omoigui

It was final journey home for late former Chairman of Lagos Rent Tribunal, as NGO establishes elderly care Foundation in her honour
The final journey eternal of an educationist, judicial officer, philanthropist, community leader and a one –time Magistrate and Chairman of Lagos State Rent Edict Tribunal, Barrister (Mrs.) Grace Onaiwu Omoigui, ended yesterday with her burial.

The deceased is the mother of the former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauro.Mrs. Grace Onaiwu Omoigui- BSc., LLB., BL (nee Elekhuoba Iyeye Ogbewe-Asemota) was born in Akure, Ondo State on December 28, 1933. Grace Onaiwu lost her mother, Izevbokun, at the early age of three. Her early and adolescent development was, therefore, in the caring hands of her late good father (to whom she was much endeared to), her stepmothers and her grandmother – Iyeye with whom she spent a greater part of her childhood. She grew up active, dynamic, aggressive and highly motivated for success.

Married on August 2, 1958 to Mr. Daniel Aiyanyo Omoigui, the retired Surveyor – General of the Federation, Mrs. Omoigui has successfully combined an active working life with building a successful home. Their marriage is blessed with five children – four boys and one girl, who individually have succeeded in life in their various fields of endeavour, a testimony to the strict and focused upbringing they received from their parents.

Grace Onaiwu Omoigui started her working life as a Grade II teacher – a product of St. Agnes College Maryland, Ikeja in December 1955. Over time, she developed herself and acquired additional qualifications which include: NCE in Chemistry/Biology (1967), BSc Education/Zoology (1974); LLB Hons (1985); BL Nigerian Law School (1986).

In her first career as a teacher, she taught in various primary, secondary modern schools in the old Western Region – Benin, Okene, Ogbomosho and Ilorin. In Lagos, she taught in the Old Government School, Okesuna; Eko Boys High School, Mushin; Holy Child College, Obalende and the Federal School of Arts and Science in Victoria Island, where her students fondly referred to her as “Mummy”. She was posted to the Federal Government College, Benin as Vice Principal in 1990 where she retired after 35 years of Public Service on July 31 1992.

In her second career as a lawyer since her retirement from Public Service, Grace Onaiwu Omoigui practiced under experienced Senior Advocates of Nigeria – Messrs A.O. Eghobamien of Benin City, Edo State and Prof A.B. Kasunmu of Lagos, Lagos State. She served as a Magistrate and Chairman of the Rent Edict Tribunal in the Lagos State Government Judiciary from where she retired a second time around as a result of attaining the statutory retirement age of 65 years.

Until her death, she was a Director in the firm of ReStraL Ltd, and spends her time mostly providing services to her husband, children, extended family and friends in any capacity that is of benefit.

Meanwhile, a non-governmental and not-for-profit organisation, Dagomo Foundation Nigeria Limited, last Wednesday unveiled an ultra modern elderly care centre in Benin, the Edo State Capital in honour of the late educationist and philanthropist.

As part of the activities, the Dagoma Foundation also provided a two-day free eye, dental and general medical mission for the elderly in Benin City from December 28 to 29, 2016.

The free medical mission and the ultra- modern elderly care centre, are available to persons aged 60 years and above‎.The late Barrister Omoigui (nee Asemota), teacher, lawyer and philanthropist, had passed on last month at a Lagos hospital following complications from multiple gunshot injuries from an armed robbery attack in Benin City, Edo State, on her way from a bank.

The Foundation named after Daniel Aiyanyo, former Surveyor-General of the Federation, and Grace Onaiwu Omoigui, the Foundation is governed by a seven-member board of directors, and is run by an advisory board of 12 members and a management team headed by a Chief Program Officer (Executive Secretary).

Her life spanned several professional careers, starting as an educationist and former Vice Principal of Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Benin City, and later becoming a lawyer and retired Magistrate in the Lagos State Judiciary.

Mama G, as she loved to be called, fought a gallant fight to live but the Lord decided that her time on this earth was done.One of her Children, and former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui- Okauru nostalgically commented about her late mother: “ She died from complications precipitated by multiple gunshot injuries from an armed robbery attack in Benin City on her way from Guaranty Trust Bank, Sapele Road branch. She leaves behind a legacy of love to one’s neighbour regardless of cost and personal sacrifice. Even in the face of unprovoked attack, she did what she does best: rightly questioned the indefensible actions of the armed robbers as she felt it was wrong.”

She also added: “ She lived a transparent life through and through. She was the pillar behind the family and would do anything to preserve its good name and defend integrity. She positively touched many lives at home and at work and we believe her legacy of sacrifice, loyalty, hard work, fairness, love, integrity, the importance of family and God’s love will live on through everybody she touched.”

The late ‘Mama G’ is survived by her husband of 58 years, Surveyor Daniel Aiyanyo Omoigui, her children – Dr Nowamagbe and Moira Omoigui; Dr Sota and Helen Omoigui; Ifueko M Omoigui and Asishana Okauru; Eghosa and Eunice Omoigui; and Nosakhare Omoigui; and grandchildren- Ikponmwosa Omoigui, Ighiwiyisi Omoigui, Ayrton Omoigui, Iyegbekosa Omoigui, Izevbokun Omoigui, Grace Omoigui, Isiuwa Omoigui, Iyare Omoigui, Noe Ter Avest Omoigui, Iriagbonse Omoigui, Anni-Arie Omoigui, and Nete Okauru.

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