Yes, these three women left us in 2024 with memories that may become buried in the sands of time, but their departures are still fresh with us. They were women who impacted many and who will be remembered for quite a while. I still feel their loss.
All three led exemplary lives of service and contribution to the development of their Catholic faith and will be sorely missed. The manner of their departure was also unique and uncanny, as if none of them wanted their families and friends to suffer from any problem of taking care of them in illness for a long period. It was just a matter of hours and days of illness and they were gone to their maker, with the opportunity to be fully united in communion and safe journey to eternal bliss.
Firstly, Rev. Sr Agnes Mary Hassan – Mother, Auntie, Sister, Friend, Teacher, and Mentor. These titles encapsulate the multifaceted role she played in our lives. For about three decades, I had the privilege of knowing her, but countless others had the honour of her presence for even longer. Her impact extended beyond the walls of the church and the classroom; it permeated everyday life, leaving hearts touched and souls uplifted. She departed this world on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Born on May 9, 1937, she graced us with 87 years of unwavering devotion to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a Reverend Sister, she exemplified the very essence of her vocation, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew her.
Her humility was as radiant a powerful light, as it was unparalleled. When she walked, it was as if she glided on wings of grace. I recall her legendary walks down the driveway of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland Lagos, along the bustling Ikorodu Road, and even the quiet backstreets of Bush Street. She preferred walking, instead of accepting rides from parishioners. With a wave of her hand, she would jest, “Don’t mind me, Mr. Eboigbe. Me and my Fulani legs, we will walk.”
On my 70th birthday on 12th February 2024, she was all over the place, saying the opening prayer at the reception, in the forefront during the book launch, and everyone loved her, including several of her old students who had not seen her in years!
And for us, devotees of the Archdiocesan Novenas at the Marian Shrine Maryland, Lagos, we always longed to hear her voice leading the Stations of the Cross with Our Lady, for many years. Her voice drew several people to follow Christ’s journey to Calvary more earnestly.
I can still hear her voice saying:
“But I knew this had to be, and I stood by and cried, silently.”
“But I knew this had to be, so I followed, and prayed silently.”
“But I knew this had to be, so I walked on, silently.”.
No doubt, her life was well lived – a life of purpose. Her dedication to the Almighty was evident in every gesture, every prayer, every act of kindness. She embodied love, compassion, and unwavering faith. Her presence was a balm to weary souls, a beacon of hope in a troubled world. We watched her serving on several committees, councils, and spiritual directors to several groups in the church.
She left behind a tapestry of memories woven with threads of love, faith, and service. Her holy mien, fair and strong, remains etched in our hearts – a reminder that angels walk among us. She, indeed, was an angel among us, as her remarkable life touched countless hearts. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations, and her memory will forever be a beacon of hope.
On May 23rd, 2024, a day after Sr Agnes’ death, another of my favourite persons joined her in heaven. Princess Teresa Otieyeke Ojo (Nee Anao) mother of renowned Nigerian-British actor and filmmaker, Wale Ojo passed on at the age of 85, two years shy of Sr Agnes’ age.
If there is someone who was caring, and loving, with a lot of people willing to testify to how much she impacted their lives, that was Mrs. Ojo, mother of June, Niyi and Wale.
Born into the royal family in Ewohimi, Edo State, she had three sisters and three brothers.
She straddled the travel and tour industry in Nigeria like a colossus for decades, operating from her flagship Tess Travels and Tours which became one of the largest and most successful tourism companies in the country. Tess Travels was the first travel agent to be automated in airline reservations system in Nigeria and she was the first female president of NANTA – National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents from 1993 to 1995.
That was about the time we first met in the mid to late 90s and we have been family then, keeping track of, and tab on each other. Her son Wale dedicated to his mother, the Best Actor Prize from the 10th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, AMVCA, ceremony held in Lagos a couple of weeks before she passed. Teresa Ojo, was my Edo sister and we both discussed the prospects of Wale winning the coveted award when we met at her elder sister Maureen Ehizele’s 90th birthday event in Lekki on 27th April and she expressed some doubt because she said there were some other very big-name actors on the nomination list and it would be tough, but I am sure that even in her fears, she was praying for her son to come out tops. And Wale, the scion of Lady Teresa of Opoji and late Mr. Ojo of Ibadan came up good and Mama was mightily proud.
But her passing was quite distinctive, if sudden. She called me a week before, to help her source for and purchase a Monstrance which is a vessel used to display a consecrated host, or sacramental bread, for adoration, veneration or in processions during certain Catholic ceremonies. She wanted to donate it to her parish in the village. I was able to order it at considerable cost and received it from St. Leo’s Parish Ikeja the following Saturday, sent it to her in Ibadan, from where she left on Wednesday for Ewohinmi to present to the church. She and I were on the phone as she was in the vehicle on the way to deliver the Monstrance, and we are told that as soon as the Parish Priest received the Monstrance from her, she became unwell and was taken to the hospital where she was confirmed dead. The parish community did not have the opportunity to celebrate her alive for the precious gift, but I am sure their prayers will help lead her to paradise. The plan was for me to help her purchase a tabernacle for the same parish later in the year.
We were in Ibadan for her funeral and the testimonies from her local parish there showed a humble woman who was ready to make her contributions in a very private and quiet way for God’s children. Yes, Teresa Ojo also left us in 2024.
Next is a woman whose nickname seemed to have surpassed her given name. If you went to St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos or at other Catholic setting and you hear the Igbo name, Ezigbo’Nmadu I, that was her. But she was not Igbo.
When I first came to Lagos to study in 1976, one of the relatives my father told me to look for was Sussy Obinyan. Her name was very popular with us in Benin City but most of us had never met her. As a 22-year-old bachelor, whenever I visited her in Yaba, I was sure of something to eat and in my pocket, when going back to the hostel.
Sussana Enokhumwen Obinyan was born on August 20, 1941 in Benin City. Nigeria. Her parents, Ezekiel and Elizabeth Edevbaro, were from Orhua, our serene town in Uhunmwode Local Government of Edo State. She was one of four children from her mother.
As a young girl, Sussy went to live in Benin with her older sister, Mrs. Felicia Odiase. She attended our Lady of Apostles Modern School, Benin and relocated to Lagos in her early 20s, where she met her husband, and the father of her six children, late Willy Ehi Obinyan, with whom they started the legendary King and George, a pools and printing company.
As an entrepreneur, she diversified into retail and real estate ventures in various cities in Nigeria, and was an active, dedicated and devout Catholic, who attended Mass daily at Saint Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos, or wherever she travelled to within or outside Nigeria.
She was committed parishioner who served the church in various capacities from the late 60s until the very end.
For her active, dedicated and selfless services, the nickname, Ezigbo’Nmadu, (A very good person) was coined for her by her fellow parishioners. And it stuck!
She was special and unique in the various ways that she served God and his people in St. Dominic’s, and the various councils and committees. She was a member of the Parish Council in the 80s until 1991.
Sussy gave the Small Christian Community, SCC Alagomeji zone a space in her house and compound for meetings every Tuesday and was always ready to support the zone and the SCC in general when needed.
Above all, she was a staunch member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, CCM, and dedicated her time, talent and treasure to the growth and development of the Society at both parish and Archdiocesan levels, helping to edit, print the annual CCM Archdiocesan magazine and calendar. Of course, she was member or patron of several other societies.
Sussy overcame all obstacles and challenges in her path, with her head held high, with dignity, grace, humility, and perseverance. I did not see her for several months in 2023 and when I saw her at midday Mass at St. Dominic’s about two weeks before he passed on 29th January 2024, and asked where she had gone, she said she had to spend some time in Benin to take care of her house which she had now split in two – on one side she had a young man to stay and look after the property while she has prepared the second part where she would like to be buried. I jokingly asked her why she would be making such preparations. But she obviously knew, may be unconsciously.
These three women – Sr Agnes Hassan, Mrs. Teresa Ojo and Mrs. Sussy Obinyan were true legends, icons and ultimate role models who have left huge legacies, with large shoes, too big to fill.
May their sweet souls rest in perfect peace. Amen.
