The death has been announced of the matriarch of the Obayi Atta family in Nguru, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nnemuruoha Lolo Cecelia Ovute Obayi (nee Omeje).

Nnemuruoha Lolo Obayi, who died peacefully on January 21, 2025, was aged 105 years.

She is survived by five children, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, uncles, cousins, and in-laws, among whom are His Royal Highness, Igwe Linus Nosike Obayi, the traditional ruler of Nguru Nsukka, and Hon. Barrister Ethelbert Obayi, a former member of the Enugu State House of Assembly.

The late Cecelia Obayi, the wife of the last traditional ruler of Nsukka before the creation of autonomous communities by the Enugu State Government, the late HRH Patrick Obayi, the Onogwu Atta IV and Ezeora I of Nsukka, was a foremost community leader who dedicated her life to community development and peaceful coexistence in her community.

She believed strongly in education and trained all her children as teachers and educationists because of her belief that her own children would help drive community emancipation and the spread of knowledge by imparting education to the people.

She was a great believer in empowering women and defending the rights of the vulnerable in society. She mobilised the women in her community towards several community projects, among which include the building and completion of the Catholic Church in the Nguru Nsukka community

A statement signed by his first son, Igwe Linus Obayi described the late matriarch as a devout Catholic, a paragon of royal grace, a mother to all, and an example in community service.

Funeral arrangements, the statement said, shall be announced by the family in due course.

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