TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF OUR SISTER, ADADIORANMA – HON CHINWE IYIZOBA (NEE FGN OKOYE JCA (RTD) BY FGN OKOYE SISTERS
Our role-model parents, Late Sir FGN Okoye and Dame Monica Okoye, were blessed with two surviving sons and six surviving daughters.
Our first brother, Dr. Felix Chuks Okoye, a brilliant and erudite lawyer of Gray’s Inn, tragically passed away in 1983 from injuries sustained in a ghastly motor accident at Eko Bridge. He left behind a young widow, Barr. Mrs. Ijeoma Chuks Okoye, who has since built a strong and successful family. Ijeoma remains our beloved wife and sister.
As devout Christians, our parents handled the painful loss of their first son with remarkable strength, faith, and fortitude.
Chief J.C. Okoye subsequently became the leader of the FGN Okoye family. Together with Dr. Felix Chuks Okoye and our parents’ last son, Engr. Chris Okoye, they supported our father in building a thriving construction company, FGN Okoye & Sons Ltd., alongside other successful ventures.
We were six daughters.
Our first sister, Ngozi Patricia Asiegbu, a linguist, is a positive and deeply God-centered woman who has remained strong despite health challenges.
Adadioranma was our second daughter and proudly played the role of “Ada” in our family.
She was followed by the phenomenal Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi, Dame Princess Karenate- Egbuson, Lady Uche Obi, and Barr. Mrs. Joy Ebeledike, the youngest of the FGN Okoye sisters.
We were all raised with principle-centered Christian values. From childhood, we were taught the importance of prayer. Our father often reminded us that a good name is better than riches and that financial freedom requires clear goals, determination, focus, and hard work. He never permitted an entitlement mentality. Instead, he instilled in us the discipline of making empowering choices and taking accountability for our actions.
Growing up, we bonded in pairs:
Sister Chinwe and Sister Ngozi;
Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi and Dame Karenate- Egbuson;
Lady Uche Obi and Barr. Joy Ebeledike.
Though the younger ones did not interact extensively with our older sisters in the early years, we all admired Sister Ngozi and Sister Chinwe for their beauty, intelligence, and elegant fashion sense.
Adadioranma attended Elelenwa Girls’ Secondary School, a Christian institution that reinforced the solid foundation laid by our parents. Our father was very strict and did not encourage boys visiting us. We fondly recall an occasion when a young man came to visit Sister Chinwe. After asking his name and purpose, Papa sternly questioned him, “Have you ever seen where a boy visits a girl?” The young man quickly retreated at the look on Papa’s face.
During the civil war, we moved from Enugu to Enugwu-Ukwu, then to Umuahia, and later to Ihioma in Orlu. It was during this period that a determined young man began visiting Sister Chinwe. We watched him closely and sometimes mischievously told him she was not home, even when she was.
Our sister, Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi, struck a playful alliance with him. Since he traveled to Lisbon during the war to procure goods for soldiers, she requested clothes in exchange for helping him win Sister Chinwe’s friendship. He delivered, and thus began a friendship that blossomed beautifully.
That young man was Chief Ossy Iyizoba.
Ossy was handsome, impeccably dressed, courteous, and full of promise. Their love story blossomed during the war, and at just 19, Sister Chinwe married this amiable gentleman in a modest ceremony held in a village church in Umuahia, with a simple reception in the church hall. We remember her lovely wedding gown with a touch of pink—symbolic of the elegance she carried from youth.
Their union was divinely ordained, a partnership of deep friendship, strong communication, and shared vision. Ossy was an action-oriented man: he dreamt it, prayed it, and pursued it until results manifested. A successful entrepreneur, his homes in Enugu, fondly called “The Oranges,” and in Nimo, “The Pathfinder,” stand as testimonies to his visionary mind.
They were blessed with wonderful children, Ebele, Onuorah, Ify, and Ossy, whom they raised with Christian, principle-centered values of humility, gratitude, responsibility, and inner contentment. The strong love and unity within their immediate family extended to the larger Iyizoba clan.
Ossy battled illness for over 25 years. Yet, the heroine of this chapter was our sister, Justice Chinwe Iyizoba, whose resilience deserves the highest recognition. She faced this inevitable challenge with equanimity, calm strength, commitment, and unwavering faith. She remained elegant and composed, never weighed down by sorrowful countenance.
Focused on providing the best possible care, she, supported by her children, the Iyizoba clan, the Okoye clan, and friends, managed his medical needs and upheld the dignity of their home. Her composure shielded us all from negative energy and sustained hope.
Our dear sister was a rallying point for the Iyizoba clan, fostering harmony and unity.
The FGN Okoye sisters share a deep bond of friendship. Though we sometimes disagreed, our sisterly love was never shaken.
Adadioranma loved to chat. She would call and say, “Ke nkeneme?” “What’s the gist?” We would talk, laugh, debate family matters, and share life stories.
We also stood by her through the painful illness and eventual passing of her second son, Ossy Junior.
Through every trial, she embodied strength, resilience, acceptance, and unwavering trust in God. She lived with inner peace, humility, integrity, transparency, compassion, and impact.
She was a devoted daughter, especially close to our mother, Dame Monica Chiebonam FGN Okoye. Their bond was deep, and she ensured our mother put her affairs in order, including preparing her will before her passing.
Her sudden exit pains us deeply. There was no time to say goodbye, no final embrace to express how much we loved her. Life can seem unfair, yet Scripture reminds us to give thanks in all circumstances. We were six sisters; now we are five.
We looked forward to more cherished moments at “The Oranges” in Enugu and “The Pathfinder” in Nimo. The love, warmth, peace, authenticity, and joy we experienced in her presence were unparalleled.
We deeply appreciate the entire Iyizoba family, particularly Chiedu Iyizoba, Lizzy Adimorah, and Balum Diribe for their love, support, and friendship. They treated Adadioranma like a queen, and she was intentional in fulfilling her role as an impactful matriarch of the Iyizoba clan. The fruits of her empowering choices are evident for all to see.
We pray that the FGN Okoye sisters will continue to nurture our bond in love, compassion, and mutual support, living passionate and impactful lives.
We promise to work closely with her amazing, family-oriented children, Ebele Ugochukwu, Onuorah Iyizoba, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, and the entire Iyizoba, FGN Okoye, and Ugochukwu families, alongside all in-laws, to keep your legacies alive.
Adadioranma, our prayer was for you to step into a new season of bliss and fulfillment, to witness the weddings of more grandchildren. Alas, God decreed otherwise. It hurts deeply, yet His grace grants us the fortitude to bear this loss.
Rest in peace, our darling sister.
Our legal luminary.
Our Adadioranma.
Beloved daughter of the legendary Sir FGN Okoye and Dame Monica Okoye.
We miss you dearly.
Till we meet to part no more.
Love till eternity.
Your loving sisters:
Ngozi Asiegbu
Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi
Dame Princess Karenate- Egbuson
Lady Uche Obi
Barr. Mrs. Joy Ebeledike