About Ijeoma Onwumere – Ijeoma Onwumere Academy

As a new day dawns, every second, every minute, more humans are born into the space that is called life. Yet, at the same count of time, many more take their exit from it. Time is a continuum; existence is a revolving door. As we come and go, living life, dreaming dreams, chasing happiness, questions never cease to arise.
Why are we here? Why are we born? Are we born to just eat, drink, work, get married, have kids, make money and then die? Those who know better know there is more to life.
They agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson who says, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” This truth captures the life of our dear Daughter, Wife, Sister, Mother, Friend and Confidant, Mrs. Ijeoma Onwumere.
It was a good day on 24 October, 1972 when she was born into this world. Her arrival, like that of every newborn baby, brought much joy to her parents, the famous Late Teacher Ezenacho Ibe and Madam Roseline Eze-Ibe of Mbala-Isuochi in Abia State. In a happy naming ceremony, the little, cute baby girl was named Ijeoma. And so, true to her beautiful, symbolic name, Ijeoma began her journey of life.
As the first daughter in a family of eight, Ijeoma showed early the traits of a caring, useful, reliable and compassionate woman that she grew up to be. She was a good daughter to her parents, helping out with chores, obedient, diligent and looking out for everyone around her.
Even then, Ijeoma was not just a beautiful young growing lady without brains. Her intelligence was deeper than her looks. So, to school she went, graduating from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 1992 and an MBA (Marketing) in 2001.
Done with her studies, Ijeoma served her one-year national service at S.I.O. Industries in Asaba, Delta State, where she diligently contributed toward meeting the customers’ orders as the weekend production clerk, and ensured that accurate overtime records were kept for the staff. For this, she earned the commendation of the management.
After NYSC, she started her full work life with Champion Newspapers, where she distinguished herself in special projects in the advert department. She was able to segment the media market based on the strength of the Champion. And her clients increased the newspaper’s sales targets, especially those in the Electronics and Beverage industries.
Later, the ever ambitious Ijeoma moved over to the banking industry and worked at All States Trust Bank Plc. As Senior Analyst, she monitored the credits of 5 branches in Lagos Mainland, and ensured that the credits were performing and provided rating recommendations that generated credible customer base for credit.

In April 2007, she joined one of Nigeria’s oldest generation banks, Afribank in Lagos. Upon her resumption at Ojuelegba Branch of Afribank, the branch had not made a profit for 3 years. An industrious Ijeoma began by mobilising Tejuosho and adjoining market traders to open accounts and reactivate dormant accounts. Within 2 months, the branch started making profit and the branch came alive with huge deposits. She left the banking sector at the managerial level.
Restless and bustling with entrepreneurial instincts, Ijeoma ventured into the business of importing motor spare parts, an area dominated by knowledgeable traders and men. She carefully understudied the market and launched successfully into the new business.
Wherever she worked, IJ, as fondly called by many, made friends that remained for upward of twenty-five years and her childhood friends also remained her sisters till date. Such was the affable, friendly and personable nature of this woman that helped her cultivate relationships as easily as a knife cutting through better.

But, caring for family members, relatives and friends was not only Ijeoma’s forte. She also devoted time to serving communal interests. At the Arochukwu Kingdom, she earned the sobriquet of “Commander” for her selfless service to the Iyom Aro, Lagos Branch, where she served as the Financial Secretary of the women’s wing for several years. At Amangwu Village Development Union, she was the Treasurer of the Lagos Branch. Although she was not from Arochukwu, she was in love with the culture of the people and relished it to the fullest.
Throughout her lifetime, she spent her time and resources in promoting communal peace and harmonious relationships, as well as living a life worthy of emulation. As a self-effacing role model, she disliked fake lifestyles and worked hard to inspire discipline amongst young wives and whosoever came across her.
In her immediate family, Ijeoma was a true gem, a good wife and a great mother. She was married to Mazi Ernie Onwumere, her age-long best friend, on 20th November, 1999 at St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos. The marriage was blessed with two sons – Chibundu and Emenike .
Indeed, Ijeoma Onwumere’s brief life was well lived and she will be forever missed. Her story affirms the timeless truism that it is not how long we live, but how well, that matters.
“Although her death left us with heartache no one can heal, but her love also leaves the family with a memory no one can steal”.

IJEOMA ONWUMERE

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