Bernadette Onubogu's Legacy

Ezinne Bernadette Nwanyiegbuo Onubogu, a devout Catholic, strong and dignified  woman was born in 1923 to the family of Okpalaebuluo Okoli of Umueleke, Achina.  Mama Onubogu was the third daughter of her parents. She started her formal  education in Achina, which was interrupted due to financial constraints as the  custom of male child preference was still persisting at the time. Mama was  traditionally married late Nze Sebastian Onubogu who then lived at Umuahia, now in  Abia State.  

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As a devout Catholic woman from a reputable family, she could not live with her  husband until their church wedding. Mama therefore went to Umuahia and lived  with her uncle late Chief Jonathan Iloka. Still convinced of her rights to development  and education, Mama left for the Catholic Convent in Ifor, Ikot Ekpene (Cross River  State) where she was trained in Baking, Textile Designing and as a small scale  entrepreneur {SME} – It was also a period to prepare her for married life. During  supervised visits, her husband always donated large quantities of essential items to  the Convent in Uyo. 

Upon completing her training, Mama returned to Umuahia. She was baptized and  married at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church to her husband late Nze Sebastian  Onubogu by two Irish priests who were in charge of the parish at the time - Reverend Fr. Dillion and Fr. Otoole.  

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As a human being and a woman of honor and strength, Mama Onubogu believed  in the empowerment and contribution of all. Womanhood for her had no frontier,  class, ethnic group or color. She was known for her fight for social justice and  compassion for the less privileged. For example, she spearheaded the struggle for  women in the Catholic Church, whose husbands took second wives to be, restored  full benefits in the church. She called these women ‘double victims.’  

Often in pursuit of these struggles and life’s challenges, Mama Onubogu assumed  pioneer positions as the “FIRST” in many instances. For example, it is on record,  that Mama Onubogu was the ‘FIRST’ woman to drive a car both in Umuahia and  Achina. Mama Onubogu was a pioneer and founding member of the Catholic  Women’s Organization {CWO} both at home and abroad. 

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Mama’s activism took her beyond the confines of Umuahia to neighboring towns of  Arochukwu, Ohafia, Bende, Uzuakoli to encourage women to contribute in all areas  and issues that affect their lives and livelihoods.  

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Notably, in this regard, Mama Onubogu initiated the Catholic Women’s  Organization (CWO, Umuahia) by going from house to house, town to town talking  to women about the importance of their participation and representation as a group. 

She did the same for her home Achina as the CWO was formed. Consequently, she  was elected the FIRST President General CWO St Finbarr’s Parish, Umuahia, an  office she held for seven years under the chaplaincy of late Monsignor Ogbonna and  directorship of Late Bishop Anthony Nwedo. 

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Through the joint efforts of Mama and Papa Onubogu, a new Catholic parish St  Michael’s Umuahia was created in 1979. As a pioneer member, she led the CWO in  this new parish for nine years, but requested to step down for younger women whilst  remaining as the first Grand Patron. She was always consulted for institutional  memory, wisdom and sheer experience in church matters.  

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Not forgetting her hometown ACHINA, Mama Onubogu initiated, developed and  fund raised for the construction of the Residence for the congregation of Daughters  of Mary Mother of Mercy – DMMM {St. Charles Catholic Church Reverend Sisters}.  She lobbied for their move to Achina and ensured that a vehicle was provided for  this use. As a former parish priest Rev. Fr. Muoneke opined, the history of the  Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy [DMMM} congregation at St. Charles Catholic  Church will not be complete without the mention of Mama Onubogu’s contributions.  

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Similarly, Mama Onubogu’s efforts to evangelism through unflinching devotion to  Mother Mary informed her to commence the “Block Rosary” Crusade, which spread  devotion to Our Lady. Her home, 33 Imo Lane is most remembered as the ‘FIRST’  center for Block Rosary in the seventies until a decision was made to commence  rotation. In fulfillment of her desire and total admiration of the late Pope John Paul II  for devotion to ‘Our Lady’, Mama Onubogu visited Rome in 1996 and received a  ‘Papal Certificate’.  

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Mama held several positions in the Catholic Church both at home and abroad, and  initiated activities to provide for the Clergy and Laity. She was the President of St.  Rita’s group at St. Michael’s Parish, Umuahia. In addition, she was the President of  CWO Achina, Umuahia branch and Treasurer of St. Charles CWO Achina (Home  and Abroad). 

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Given her devoted services and numerous contributions to the church in Umuahia,  Achina and across Onitsha and Awka dioceses, the Church honored her with  several awards including but not limited to: 

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⮚ Pioneer Life Member {(one of the first 4 women to be honored in Onitsha  Diocese (comprising of both Awka & Nnewi) 

⮚ Ezinne {Mother Excellency} CWO (Umuahia Diocese} 

⮚ Nneora {Mother of All} Awka Diocese} 

⮚ Diamond Mother {St. Charles Parish – Achina} 

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Mama Onubogu’s dignity, strength, trust and child-like faith in God, and the  unflinching devotion to Our Mother Mary bode her well throughout her life. Her  commitments to God, Our Lady, the Catholic Church and her people, both at home  and abroad were truly exemplary! 

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