01/05/2017
ESEOGHENE ELIZABETH TONUKARI (1972-2017)
Eseoghene Elizabeth Tonukari (nee Egbedi) was born in Eku Baptist Hospital, Delta State, on June 26, 1972. Her parents were Late Mr. Williams Egbedi of Jakpa Elume and Mrs. Cecilia Egbedi (nee Ogwhere) of Aghalokpe, both of Delta State, Nigeria. Her parents were Christians and devoted Catholics. They were strict disciplinarians who do not withhold discipline from a child. They both believed in the phrase “spare the rod and spoil the child”. Eseoghene has three brothers and one sister; Mr. Ejiro Egbedi, Mr. Raphael Egbedi, Mrs. Ann Chukwura and Mr. Jerome Egbedi. She was six years old when her father passed away. Eseoghene was brought up in an environment with great exposure of uprightness, and grew up to become a good child. She was happy, loving, and funny.
Eseoghene had her early education at Ufuoma Primary School, Abeke Road Sapele between 1978 and 1983. She then proceeded to Ufuoma Mixed Secondary School, Abeke Road, Sapele in 1983, and finished in 1988, where she came out as one of the most diligent student. Afterwards, she was admitted into College of Education, Warri and obtained a National Certificate of Education in Business Education.
In 1998, Eseoghene started a new life. She got married to her friend and the love of her life, Nyerhovwo Tonukari in January 1998. The wedding took place at St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Gana, Sapele on January 10th 1998 before invited guests with Very Reverend Father Abraham Eyitemi as the officiating Priest. Her marriage was a happy marriage, a marriage with a great Ocean of innumerable love; a marriage of undying love, oneness, and friendship. Eseoghene and her loving husband, Nyerhovwo, have been friends from their growing up days at Gana, Sapele. Two months after her wedding, she and her husband embarked on a journey to the United States of America. They had three loving and wonderful children; Gaga Eghele Tonukari, Oma Erhuvwu Tonukari, and Diatana Emuesiri Tonukari. All three children were born in Sparrow Teaching Hospital Lansing, Michigan, United State of America. Between 2002 and 2003, she took computer courses in the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya.
Eseoghene and her husband returned to Nigeria in 2004 and decided to settle down in Sapele, where they started their family business. She worked as the Chairman of Society and Events, Advert Manager of Sapele Times and The Nigerian Archive (www.nigeriarchive.com) until her death. Her quest for education took her to Delta State University Abraka, Delta State, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education in 2011. As far as education was concerned, she had her share of success. She saw formal education as an important desirable thing. Also, her quest for education took her to Central Michigan University, Michigan in the United States of America, where she obtained a Master degree in Educational Technology, in 2016. Eseoghene also holds an Associate Degree in Computer Information Systems from Richland Community College (RCC), located in Decatur, Illinois, United States of America.
She was the Chairperson of Ufuoma Mixed Secondary School old Boys/Girls Association (USOSA), Sapele Branch, from March 2010 to March 2017. During her tenure as the Chairperson of USOSA, major achievements were recorded in the school such as: The fencing of the back entrance of the school, organization of career seminars of how to achieve the best in education for students, HIV/AIDS awareness seminars for students, books donation for the school library, donation of musical instruments to the Students Christian Movement, renovation of dilapidated buildings in the school and donation of desks to the school by the government which came as a result of her influence with top government officials amongst others too numerous to mention. From 2012 to 2016, Eseoghene was the Chairperson of All Purpose Committee of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sapele, when Very Rev. Fr. (Col.) Martins Akusu (Rtd) was the Parish Priest. She was also a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Harvest Planning Committee from 2012 to 2015. She was a Support Member to the Pro Labore Dei, The Society of St Vincent de Paul, an international Catholic voluntary organization dedicated to serving the poor. Eseoghene Tonukari was an ardent lover of Urhobo language and Urhobo gospel songs. She and her husband has donated severally to Urhobo Studies at the Delta State University, Abraka and other Urhobo causes. She was always seen singing with the members of the Emmanuel Urhobo Catholic Joint Choir (EUCJC) of her parish at the 8:00am Holy Mass which she attends in company of her mother. She was also once an Urhobo announcer in the church, a responsibility she carried out with dedication and humility. She was very supportive (financially) to her parish as she never ceased to give her support whenever duty calls. Eseoghene was generous with caring for the aged in her parish and she helped the youths in the church with gainful employment. The clergy (priests) of the church were not left out in her generosity.
Eseoghene has traveled to various countries in Europe, Middle East, Canada, Africa, Asia etc. In all her trips abroad, she made lots of friends who would see her person as irreplaceable. She was a simple woman, who succeeded in living with her husband in harmony and raising all her children in good health. She had a caring heart and good organizational skills with which she touched the lives of children, youths, family members and friends in her community and environs. She has trained many persons in colleges and universities. This helped change the world opinion and gave hope to people who had lost hope in life. Her life represents a victorious one. Eseoghene was a woman who never put on airs of any kind, her whole happiness lay in seeing her husband, children, relations, in-laws, friends and neighbors grow in good health and harmony. It was always her joy to achieve that goal.
Esoghene Elizabeth Tonukari was a loving wife, an excellent mother, daughter, sister and friend. She was nice and compassionate. “Aye” as fondly called by her husband was a “hero”. She was a person that always had hope that things will be better. She was a challenger and always looked for new goals. She was an inspiring woman, her love for God was second to none. The depth of her belief was palpable. Eseoghene was a woman of prayer and she never ceased to pray. Her simplicity, her drive, her principles, and her love for God and neighbors are all characteristics to put human life into perspective.
On April 5 2017, Eseoghene was involved in a car accident along Eku/Warri Road, alongside her husband, two children, a family friend’s son and their driver. Eseoghene died of shock; she was the only one who did not survive the wreckage. Eseoghene was a rare example of a compassionate woman. She concerned herself with dedicating her life to her family, serving the poor and the disadvantaged around the world. She was guided by the words of Saint Mother Teresa, “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing’’, It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.” She acted as a professed Christian, living with the principle of the teachings of Jesus Christ, “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me.” Eseoghene believed for love to have meaning, it has to be put into action.
Her whole life was influenced by her faith and religion. Eseoghene in all aspects of her life, was a generous dispenser of love and had a listening ear; making herself available for everyone. Eseoghene’s life is an iconic representation of service for opportunity. This reminds us to focus our lives on God, with the knowledge that we are all in God’s hand; our Father above who leads us when we can see and when we cannot. Her life made a difference, and should give us all a lot to think about and a lot to be grateful for. She was an AMAZING WOMAN.
POEM by Oma Tonukari
If roses grow in heaven
Lord please pick a bunch for me
Place them in my mother’s arms
And tell her they are from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her
And when she turns to smile
Place a kiss upon her cheek
And hold her for a while.
Remembering her is so easy
I do it everyday
But there is an ache within my heart
That will never go away.
To my Mommy
Mommy I never thought something like this can happen, but God has a reason for everything. Every time I look at pictures of you, my eyes become watery. All my life, I thought I will live with you till you are old and I will take care of you when I am a grown man; but your time was cut short by the tragic accident. Thank you for everything that you have done for me; giving birth to me, providing for me, feeding me, teaching me, and most of all being the best mother anyone can have. Thank you Mommy for all you have done for us.
Your Tchwenke, Diatana Emuesiri Tonukari
Dear Mom,
I closed my eyes for only one second and you were gone. Now my heart aches, my eyes leak, my soul mourns. Only a moment changed things forever; but you can be sure you will live in my heart forever.
My mind still talks to you
My heart still looks for you
My soul knows you are at peace.
A thousand words won’t bring you back; I know because I’ve tried. Neither can a million tears bring you back; I know because I’ve cried. However, there is a 100% assurance that I will make you proud.
Rest in peace Dear Mama.
Your only daughter, Oma Erhuvwu Tonukari
Mommy,
I called you two days before your accident. I stroked you a little for always flexing life. It wasn’t just a stroke. You really did enjoy your life. It may not have really been long, but it was totally worth it. We had some bumpy times, but I will trade all my tomorrows for just one yesterday with you. I will always love you.
Your son, Gaga Eghele Tonukari
Aye,
People like you come around just once in a life time. Irreplaceable. You touched the lives of so many people especially mine. The Gate, I will continue to honour you till I see you.
Your husband, Nyerhovwo Tonukari.
UFUOMA MIXED SECONDARY SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (USSOSA)
The President, Executive Council and the entire members of Ufuoma Mixed Secondary School Old Students' Association (USSOSA) are still in shock over the sudden and unexpected demise of the Immediate Past President (IPP) / First Female President of our Noble Association. We are however consoled by the immeasurable legacies you left behind, both in our Alma Mater and Association in Particular and in the society in general. As the third President of USSOSA, Mrs Eseoghene Tonukari who had her secondary education at Ufuoma Mixed Secondary School, Sapele left her footprint in the sands of time by demonstrating her virtuous character of humility, loving and caring, politeness, mentorship and altruistic leadership. Your good leadership as President of USSOSA from March 2010 to February 2017 earned the Association her pride of place among her contemporary, making USSOSA a reference point to other Old Students' Association within the Sapele metropolis and beyond. Through your dynamic leadership and personal philanthropic philosophy, Mrs Eseoghene Tonukari will be forever remembered by the Management, Staff and Students of Ufuoma Mixed Secondary School, Sapele and members of USSOSA who were the direct beneficiaries of her numerous projects which include donating bags of cements for the complete fencing of the school, donating cash for the School and Association projects, donating books to the school library, motivating staffs and students for excellent service and intelligent performances respectively, promoting sporting activities and competition among the students, organising of seminars and anti-cultism sensitization to the students, renovation of the school infrastructures, liaising with relevant tiers of government, ministries and agencies which efforts brought developmental projects to the school. Time will fail us to mention how individual members have benefited from your philanthropic gestures through the provision of employment, moral and financial supports to members of USSOSA and sundry. Dear Mrs Eseoghene Tonukari, pool of water runs off our eyes. Though we are saddened with the message of your death but your memories keep you alive. The Great Mother of USSOSA, The Captain of Virtues and Motherhood, The Great Amazon, we all appreciate your good works and wish you peaceful and eternal rest in the Lord. Good Night.
Aunty Eeees. That is what we use to call u. We remember those memories of u, always bring smile to our faces. If only we could bring u back for just a little while. Then we could sit and talk again just like we used to do. Aunty Ese. You always mean so very much and always will. The fact that you re no longer here will always cause a pain to us but you are forever in our heart until we meet again. You Live on Aunty Eeees!!!
Mr and Mrs Progress Ukutegbe and Family.
Mrs. Eseoghene Tonukari lived a very dynamic life with very high impact on humanity and communities. She touched the lives of many including mine and the legacy around the world can never be forgotten. She was a true and caring friend and we are going to miss her. My wife, Assumpta Ude and our children are devastated by this loss.
On behalf of my family and the African Journal of Biotechnology team I say to the Tonukari's that God is in contol. We pray for God's sustainance and protection over the family she left behind. It shall be well - In Jesus Name.
Professor George Ude
Editor In Chief
African Journal of Biotechnology
Bowie State University, USA.
Aunty .E. Like I always called you; so much has been said about you, the principles you lived for and your positive impact on the lives of people around you. Above all this, I hold most dear, your overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation for life. The loss is ours, The pain is ours, The vacuum is obvious, But your memories will last generations unborn. The vacuum your sudden demise had created in my heart can never be filled. My sister, My companion, My confidant, My best friend, it's hard to say this, live on in the blossom of the LORD. I love you and will forever miss you my sister and sake. Barr. Mrs Eseoghene Ohwevwo.
A Tribute to a woman with a beautiful soul. Till Now I still wonder about your death Aunty because I just can't forget your soft voice and sweet smile whenever you talk. You were indeed a morning rose whose fragrance will ever live on thou sad but am consoled that you are in a better place now Adieu Aunty, rest on until the resurrection morning we will surely miss you. Evangelist Mrs. Ogigba
My dear sister and friend, you left unannounced when nobody ever thought or imagined it. This great loss will forever be felt. R.I.P. Mrs Jubilee Umukoro.
