Nkiru Gloria Okeke

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Emeka Okeke is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. 

Topic: Mama's Burial 
Time: Dec 11, 2021 09:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
04:30 PM Nigerian Time 

Join Zoom Meeting 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83231748217?pwd=Nnl2dDJKSkdiNnpsL1loZmVDdU9LQT09 

Meeting ID: 832 3174 8217 
Passcode: MOTHER
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BIOGRAPHY OF LATE MRS. NKIRU GLORIA OKEKE, EMERITUS PERMANENT SECRETARY
 

Late Mrs Nkiru Gloria Okeke (nee Ezeani) was born on September 16, 1956 as the fourth of the eight children of Late Rev. Levi O. and Late Mrs Virginia I. Ezeani, the first ordained priest of the Anglican Church in the old Aguata Local Government Area and hailed from Umueleleke Achina in the same Local Government.

Nkiru demonstrated brilliance from infant and excelled throughout her study and working life. It will almost be impossible to compress her legacies paid accomplishments in a write-up. A student of Alor Girls’ Secondary School, Alor in Idemili Local Government, she had Division One in the West African School Certificate Examination in 1975 and was one of the prefects of the school. She was awarded the Bursary of the Old Anambra State Government and was admitted in the renowned Alvan Ikoku College of Education in 1975 to study Education Physics, a rare field to girls at the time and bagged NCE in 1978. She was posted to Bakwura in Sokoto State for the NYSC in 1978 and as one with passion for agriculture, she owned a large scale Okro farm while in Service. 

In 1979, on completion of NYSC and return to the parents’ parish at St. John’s Anglican Church, Oko in Aguata Local Government Area, she got introduced to the husband, Engr. Jones A. Okeke, then an undergraduate in England who visited Nigeria in search of a wife, by his eldest brother, Late Rev. N.C. Okeke who was then on pastoral training as an ordinand under Nkiru’s father at that Parish Church and within two weeks before he went back to England, traditional marriage rites had been performed half way but was then continued and completed in his absence by his parents before she joined the husband in Loughborough England in July 1980 and the wedding ceremony was solemnised on August 2, 1980 at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Loughborough England.

In December 1980, as the then Prime Minister of Britain denied work permit to foreigners, the couple returned to Nigeria and settled at Girls’ Secondary School, Oba, Idemili Local Government, where Nkiru was teaching before joining the husband in England. They had their first baby, Emeka, there in 1981. After a short stay there, having completed his NYSC in 1982, the husband was invited to take up an appointment with the renowned (at the time) Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu by the Department of Chemical Engineering as a lecturer and the couple relocated to Enugu.

Immediately in 1982, the second child Adaobi came. It was not difficult for Nkiru to transfer her service to Awunanaw Girls’ Secondary School Enugu as a teacher because of her rare field of qualification. While in Enugu, Nkiru was admitted into the correspondent programme mounted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) between 1983 and 1988 to study for B.Ed Education Physics which she completed within the stipulated time. Not resting on her oars, in 1990, she gained admission for her masters programme in Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH) Enugu at the Awka Campus and in no time, bagged the M.Ed degree. By this time Nkiru, while teaching at Girls’ Secondary School, Idaw River, Enugu, transferred her service to the State Education Commission, Enugu and on the creation of the new Anambra State, as the office was moved to Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government, she moved down to the new office in the new State. The husband was later redeployed to Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka where they settled. Nkiru, still restless, in 1993 transferred her service to the stream line civil service, in the Bureau of Statistics and between 1993 and 1995, she was promoted to Principal Statistician. She moved quickly up the ladder becoming Assistant Chief Statistician to Chief (1999) and to a Deputy Director and Director in a short time and held various strategic responsibilities. Finally, she was promoted to the Permanent Secretary cadre in 2006 after an examination in which she came out in flying colours overtaking her older colleagues.

She was first posted to the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development where she demonstrated her prowess in handling so many projects including the distribution of amenities to the public such as boreholes, agricultural products processing machines for small and medium scale industries’ establishment by the beneficiaries. Oraifite, her marital place, benefitted immensely from the borehole distributions which are still functional in strategic parts of the town. So many low income businesses were empowered through this effort sponsored by Agencies of Anambra State Government.

She then moved to the Ministry of Youths and Sports in 2008. It was at this time that the then Executive Governor, Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi constructed 2 stadia in Onitsha and one in Awka. Among assignments executed. While in this Ministry, she was the Chairman, National Committee on Production of Scheme of Service for the Local Government level. Sports officers and decreation of sports departments at Local Government level.

She also served as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs between 2012 and 2014 during which rural women benefited from Agro processing machines. She saw to the implementation of the development of the various Estates including Ngozika Estate Phases when she was the Permanent Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development between 2010 and 2012.

She won numerous awards for excellent performance in the various ministries she headed. Also throughout her service, she was a prime mover in the numerous committees she served and attend great number of workshops and conferences.  She finally retired from Civil Service in 2014 after 34years of meritorious service.

She was later awarded the exclusive grade of Emeritus Permanent Secretary by the Obiano Administration for excellent services rendered to Anambra State and Government.  She also bagged chieftaincy titles from Oraifite Improvement Union (OIU) in her marital place, Oraifite and from the Igwe of Achina in recognition of her contributions to the communities.

Nkiru was a goal-getter and all the Governors that she served under found her a very reliable personality with great prowess for administration, that she was entrusted with unique assignments which she discharged creditably.

Nkiru was a bit of everything and never had impossibility in her dictionary. She engaged in full time farming on retirement producing cassava in a large scale. She also established a fish farm with numerous tanks and sold well processed fish. She was a member of the Association of Fish farmers.

Nkiru, as an industrialist established a thriving portable water plant situated at Ngozika Estate in Awka. Nkiru was a great philanthropist and reached out to the less privileged both in her Church and the public distributing regularly wrappers, food stuffs and cooking conduients especially during festivities. Her co-wives also were not left out. Garri processed out of the cassava mainly given away. Her siblings were not left out supporting them in no small measure. Nkiru was a pillar of financial support to her Church, Winners, especially the Awka Headquarters, where she worshipped and was referred to simply as ‘Mummy’. She was until her death an elder of the Church.

She also belonged to other Christian establishments including the Sisters’ Fellowship. She was a sweet and supportive mother to her children.

Sign of illness started to develop in 2018 and in 2020 became aggressive resulting in her travelling to USA for medical treatment. 

Nkiru was a brave fighter and wanted so much to live but the sickness was so severe that finally on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at about 7:30am Nigerian time, she gave up the ghost.

Throughout the period of sicknesses, the nuclear family was fully involved financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually especially Emeka and Ada who were there on the spot. The family wishes to appreciate those that stood by us especially throughout the period of hospitalization in prayers and suggestions.

Nkiru made an impact in her generation and left an indelible mark in the sands of time. The lessons to be learnt from Nkiru’s journey of life and death are that we brought nothing into this world and we take nothing out of it. The other is that God has the last say and nobody can question Him. Finally, we need to do good to all men so that our judgment will be positive and see us in heaven at last.

Adieu, Nkiru, Emeritus Permanent Secretary, a powerful lady, an astute administrator, an accomplished farmer, an industrialist, an icon, the world has lost a rare gem. The family has lost a beloved mother and wife. 
Rest on at the bossom of the Lord.  She requested to be buried in the USA.

She is survived by:

Engr. Jones A. Okeke (Husband) Nigeria 
Chukwuemeka Chukwudi Arinze Okeke (Son) USA
Adaobi Udoka Okeke (daughter) USA
Oluebubechukwu Amalachukwu Chinazaekpele Okeke (daughter) USA
Onyiyechukwu Tobechukwu Okeke (daughter) Nigeria
Tanica Okeke (daughter inlaw) USA 
Levi Okeke (grandson) USA
Adanna Okeke (granddaughter) USA
Markeith Scott (grandson) USA
Barr. (Mrs) Ndidi Ejimofo (sister), husband and children
Dr. (Mrs) Chika Ndiokwelu (sister) and children
Barr. Chito Ezeani (brother), wife and children
Mrs Ogochukwu Agwulonu (sister) husband and children
Dr. Chukwudi Ezeani (brother), wife and children
Lady Ngozi N. Okeke (sister in law)
Mr. Nkachukwu B. Okeke (brother in law)
Mr. Obiora C. Okeke (brother in law)
Dr. Don Okpalugo (cousin for Okpalugo family)

and numerous uncles, co-wives, nephews, nieces, aunts and cousins.

*************************************************************************************************
Emeka Okeke is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. 

Topic: Mama's Burial 
Time: Dec 11, 2021 09:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
04:30 PM Nigerian Time 

Join Zoom Meeting 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83231748217?pwd=Nnl2dDJKSkdiNnpsL1loZmVDdU9LQT09 

Meeting ID: 832 3174 8217 
Passcode: MOTHER