THE LIFE HISTORY OF MY MOTHER “LUCY”
AND HER MOTHER NORMALLY CALL HER “RUCY”
I am Ogochukwu Fidelia, the fifth child of my mother “Lucy”. And I’m the one telling this very story as mother told me.
Lucy, my mother was a hard working woman, she was the second child of her mother’s three kids. A son and two daughters.
Her mother’s name was Idegbe and was popularly addressed as Idegbe Nwa Akaru.
This Akaru (The Princess of Owa) was Lucy’s grandmother and she was the daughter of Prince Agboma. Prince Agboma, the grandfather of Idegbe was one of the sons of “Obahuma” his royal majesty Efezomor 1 of Owa-Oyibu royal Kingdom.
My grandmother, Idegbe Nwa Akaru told me in one of her stories, that she was a warrior princess in the sense that, one man can never challenge her in a fight until they were seven (7) in number.
And the seven of them will go home defeated, while on lookers will be hailing her with the name Idegbe Nwa Akaru!!! I was already thirteen (13) years old when my grandmother Idegbe died in August 1975.
My mother Lucy, the daughter of Idegbe Nwa Akaru was a person who identified herself with her maternal grandmother's and maternal grandfather’s relatives. That is, the relatives of Idegbe’s parents (Owa Onyibu and Owa Alero) Akaru the daughter of Agboma of Owa Onyibu relatives were (The Obahuma Lineage).
I, Ogochukwu Fidelia, the narrator of this story was already married and bearing children when my mother Lucy still attended the Obahuma's Kins meeting. The venue of the Obahuma lineage meeting was at Pa Emetojor’s house, along Osian Street, Boji-Boji Owa. He also was the leader of Nmu Obahuma’s meeting.
Lucy my mother, was very close to her relatives to the extent that she normally called the present Royal Majesty, Obi Efezormor II by his birth name “ Onyike” little did I know that his name “Onyike” was not known to the public at all.
On the very day I went for my Local Government origin at Owa-Oyibu, the interviewer asked me to mention the name of our royal highness. Without wasting time, I just pronounced the name “Onyike” it was like I threw him (the interviewer) into huge confusion and he began to argue with me. Then, I told him that his highness is my uncle and that was the name my mother used to call him.
There, he quickly called me to order and made it clear that the public never knew or addressed him in that manner. So, I should learn to address him as His Royal Majesty Obi Efezormor II next time and not what we, his family, members call him at home.
I was told that, Akaru's mother hails from Owa-Alero of Idumu-Ebo Quarters. Though her name was not mentioned at all, my mother Lucy also identified herself with her maternal grandmother’s relatives.
There were so many families but I was only able to remember people like Chief I.E Erigbum family who my mother Lucy and I used to visit his mother in my childhood. Even then, my mother always address Chief I.E Erigbum by his birth/local name “Igabor” as one of her cousins in those days.
My mother also attended her maternal grandmother’s relative meetings. The Nmu Idumu Ebo Women Forum. Their meeting place was formally at Pa Ezeka’s compound along Covent Street, Boji-Boji Owa. Before they decided to carry their venue down to Owa Aliro Town hall, along Alika Boji-Boji Owa. She was the third member of the meeting. The people I could remember their names in that meeting were Mrs. Ezeka, Mrs. Alika Obamedo and yellow as we use to call her who was their secretary.
Lucy father's side was not left out at all. She was her father’s only child and her father died very early, he was a prince in Agbor Kingdom, from Igumbor’s family of Ohumere Quarters, Agbor-Obi. He was the brother to Mama Aruomor who was once a judge in the palace of Agbor Kingdom. My mother was very fond of her Agbor Kingdom relatives as she was to that of Owa Kingdom.
She equally associated herself to both sides (Paternal and maternal sides). Those relatives of her from Ohumere that I remembered of were: Madam janet Okoh, Mama Willy, Madam Victoria (aka mama canopy) her canopy rental’s shop was at Odozi Street, Boji-Boji Agbor in those days. And Nne Orie (aka mama hair dye) her only child Orie has a block industry along Benin-lagos Road, Off Ewuru Junction, Ohumere Express way, Agbor-Obi.
My mother also was a member of Nmu Ohumere meeting which mama Amie was their leader and the meeting venue was in her house, along odozi Street, Off Upper Odozi Boji-Boji Agbor.
LUCY’S MARITAL LIFE: She married twice. Firstly, she was married to Prince Edward Agwinede of Ugiogba Esan West in Edo State. There, she had four children (two male and two female). Sister Victoria, God’s power, Patience and Mark who was my immediate senior brother. While in her second marriage, she was married to Mr. Osondu Benjamin Osakwe. A well-known noble man. He was from Owanta-Aliosimi in Ika-North Local Government Area of Delta State.
In this second marriage, she had five children, three male and two female. My very self, Ogochukwu (Fidelia), Amaechi, Kingsley, Isioma and Ifeanyichukwu.
She had a total of nine (9) children but she was survived with six (6) children until her death.
My mother Lucy was a very hard working woman who had so many shops in our Boji-Boji, Main Market, farmlands which are many plots of land today and a building to herself which some of her children are occupying today.
She also accommodated so many of her relatives in her home, such as: Dede Iweka (mama Jehovah), Dede Ufurie, Dede Nne Isaac e.t.c. and there were some she went to take care of them in their own homes. Such as Dede Ufachan, Dede Janet (Mama Lolo) e.t.c
Those women who lived in her home, stayed under her care till dying dates. She was born in the year 1921 and died in 2001 (January) 19/1/2001.
"In conclusion, my mother Lucy, affectionately known as 'Rucy,' was a remarkable woman who left an indelible mark on our family and community. Her strength, resilience, and dedication to her relatives and business ventures are a testament to her enduring legacy. Through her stories and the lessons she imparted, her spirit continues to live on in us, her children and loved ones. May her memory inspire future generations to emulate her values of hard work, loyalty, and love.
Published by Precious Orumgbe, Grandson."
