5 Jul 1971Abia, NigeriaDon nwandu BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF LATE DEACONESS AKUNNA UBOCHI OLUGELE (1947-2022)
Late Akunna Ubochi Olugele was the first daughter of a foremost educationist, late Elder (Dr.) Gabriel Onyeonoro Arungwa of Umuncheke, Nchara Otoro, Aza Community and late madam Virginia Ugboaku Arungwa of Otikiri, Umugo village, both in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State. Born on 23rd November 1947, she had other five siblings, made up of three brothers and two sisters.
Young Akunna had her primary education at Qua Iboe Church Practictising School Umuodu Umuakwu Nsulu, and proceeded to Qua Iboe Church Secondary School, Etinan in Akwa Ibom State where she obtained Cambridge School Certificate
In 1970/71, at age twenty-three, Akunna got married to Vincent Olugele from Mbubo Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia State. AK, as she was fondly called by her husband, came as divine gift to Vincent. Not only did she mirror the love and harmony prevalent in her family of birth, she was thorough-going in house-craft and general life matters. Her mother-in-law named her “nwanyi-nweulo” (Woman that owns the house). She really took over control. No relative or acquaintance that came visiting went without a memorable treat especially of her legendary local delicacy-Ukazi soup with achara.
She was determined, as a spouse, to keep growing in all dimensions. She gunned for the Teachers' Grade Two Certificate at T.T.C Ihie in 1972/73 and settled to take care of their first four children at the home front, while Vincent went for his first degree at the University. Her turn came in 1982/83. She went for the Associateship Certificate in Education at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, with the sixth baby in hand. She finally bagged the Bachelor of Education (Management and Planning) in 1994 from Abia State University Uturu, taking it in her stride with other demands of home making.
Akunna's work career saw her teach in a number of top-notch primary schools like T.T.C Practicing School, Ihie; Mbubo Community School, Ikenegbu Layout and Aladiama Housing Estate Model Primary Schools in Owerri, and World Bank Model Primary School, Umuahia, before getting reassigned to supervision and administrative duties. She retired as a Director and belonged to a few professional organizations like Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), and Association of Primary School Supervisors. After retirement, her passion to impact knowledge was not abating, so she picked up a teaching appointment at Masters Vessel Academy, Umuahia where she was until she felt unwell.
In the community, Akunna served Mbubo village as pioneer Vice President of Womens' Forum for eight years. She was the Secretary of Ejea family women's meeting, a position she held for a very long time until her call to glory. She was a labourer in God's vineyard as one of the pioneer members that planted the first United Evangelical Church (formerly QIC) in Owerri, Imo State. She got ordained a Deaconess of United Evangelical Church at Mbubo, in 2009 and remained a Sunday School teacher until her demise.
A fulfilled housewife, mother, grandmother and counsellor, Akunna was a moral icon and an epitome of love. She was blessed with seven children, three gentlemen and four ladies who are all married, for whom she was not just a mother but also a teacher, role model and long term pillar of support. She also had thirteen grand children.
Her hobbies included cooking, teaching, sewing and playing table tennis and badminton.
She was not given to any kind of severe ailment until around April this year when she complained about a severe pain in her stomach, whenever she ate food. She was taken to several private and public hospitals where different tests were carried out without a definite diagnosis of the issue until a day before her demise when the diagnosis pointed towards enlargement of the pancreas.
As it has pleased the Lord, to call Akunna Ubochi Olugele to glory at this time, and with total submission to the will of God, May her soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.
