By Alltimepost.com
The Omoigui and Asemota families of Great Benin Kingdom have announced with regret, the death of their wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister, an accomplished educationist and legal luminary, Barrister Grace Onaiwu Omoigui. She was 82 years old.
Barrister Omoigui succumbed to the will of God on November 19, 2016 in Lagos State
after losing a fierce battle against injuries, precipitated by multiple gun shots from an armed robbery attack.
She was attacked and robbed of two million naira on October 24, 2016 while returning home from Guaranty Trust Bank, Sapele Road branch in Benin City, Edo State of Nigeria where she had gone to pick up the money sent to her by her daughter.
Late Barrister Grace Omoigui is survived by her husband of 58 years, Mr. Daniel Aiyanyo Omoigui, her children – Dr. Nowamagbe and Moira Omoigui; Dr. Sota and Helen Omoigui; Ifueko M Omoigui and Asishana Okauru; Eghosa and Eunice Omoigui; and Nosakhare Omoigui; and grandchildren, Ikponmwosa Omoigui, Ighiwiyisi Omoigui, Ayrton Omoigui, Iyegbekosa Omoigui, Izevbokun Omoigui, Grace Omoigui, Isiuwa Omoigui, Iyare Omoigui, Noe Ter Avest Omoigui, Iriagbonse Omoigui, Anni Arie Omoigui, and Nete Okauru.
In a press statement issued during the week and made available to Alltimepost.com, her oldest son, Dr. Nowamagbe Austin Omoigui said: “Mama G, as she loved to be called, fought a gallant fight to live but the Lord decided that her time on this earth was done.”
“She leaves behind a legacy of love to one’s neighbor regardless of cost and personal sacrifice. Even in the face of attack, she did what she does best; questioned the actions of the armed robbers as she felt it was wrong. Mum lived a transparent life through and through. She was the pillar behind the family and would do anything to preserve the good name and defend process integrity,” Dr. Omoigui said.
Profile
Barrister (Mrs.) Grace Onaiwu Omoigui, BSc., LLB., BL (nee Elekhuoba Iyeye OGBEWE-ASEMOTA) was born at Akure, Ondo State on December 28 1933. She lost her mother Izevbokun at the early age of three years.
Her early and adolescent development was therefore in the caring hands of her late good father (to whom she was much endeared), her step mothers and her grandmother – Iyeye with whom she spent a greater part of her childhood. She grew up active, dynamic, aggressive and highly motivated for success.
Married on August 2, 1958 to Mr. Daniel Aiyanyo Omoigui, the former Surveyor General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Barr. Omoigui successfully combined an active working life with building a successful marital home, blessed with five children – Four boys and one girl, who individually have succeeded in their various fields of endeavor, a testimony to the strict and focused upbringing they received from their parents.
A product of St. Agnes College Maryland, Ikeja, Barr. Grace Onaiwu Omoigui started her working life as a Grade II teacher in December 1955.
Overtime she developed herself and acquired additional qualifications which include: NCE in Chemistry/Biology (1967), BSc Education/Zoology (1974); LLB Hons (1985); BL Nigerian Law School (1986).
In her first career as a teacher, Grace Onaiwu Omoigui taught in various primary, secondary modern schools in the old Western Region – Benin, Okene, Ogbomosho and Ilorin.
In Lagos, she taught in the Old Government School, Okesuna; Eko Boys High School, Mushin; Holy Child College, Obalende and the Federal School of Arts and Science in Victoria Island.
In 1990, she was posted to the Federal Government College, Benin as Vice Principal where she retired after thirty-five (35) years of Public Service on July 31 1992.
During her second career as a lawyer, since her retirement from Public Service, Grace Onaiwu Omoigui practiced under experienced Senior Advocates of Nigeria – Messrs A.O. Eghobamien of Benin City, Edo State and Prof A.B. Kasunmu of Lagos, Lagos State.
She served as a Magistrate and Chairman of the Rent Edict Tribunal in the Lagos State Government Judiciary from where she retired a second time around as a result of the statutory retiring age of sixty-five (65) years of age.
Until her death, she was a Director in the firm of ReStraL Ltd, and spent her time mostly providing service to her husband, children, extended family and friends in any capacity that was of benefit.
Chronology of Work Experience
1956-1987: Various teaching appointments:
1956: Started teaching service in the Convent School, Benin City in January 1956. Taught all subjects in the standard six class.
1957: Appointed Head of the Secondary Modern School in Benin-City
1958 – 1960: Resigned to join husband in the U.K.
1960 – 1961: Taught in various Primary Secondary Schools in Ilorin, Okene, Ogbomosho to mention a few. Location dependent on husband’s duties.
1962 – 1971: Taught at the following Schools/Colleges at various times:
– Lagos City Council School (formerly Government School), Okesuna
– Eko Boys High School, Mushin
– Holy Child College, Obalende, Lagos
1971 – 1974: Enrolled at the University of Lagos and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Education/Zoology
1975: Joined the Federal Public Civil Service, Federal Ministry of Education in 1975, served in Lagos State under the Universal Primary Education Scheme (Teacher Education Sector).
1976 – 1987: Taught Biology in the Federal School of Arts and Science at Class-teacher and later as Head of Department, Bi-lateral Agreements, Common Wealth and African Affairs
1987 – 1990: Officer in charge of Bi-lateral agreement between Nigerian and Common Wealth and other African countries. Helped draft a number of bilateral agreements. Represented the Federal Ministry of Education on the Nigerian delegation to India in 1988.
1990 – 1992: Vice Principal, Federal Government Girls College, Benin-City. Contributed to the upliftment of the School. Retired voluntarily from the Federal Civil Service after almost 35 years of service on July 31, 1992.
1992 – 1994: Worked with Messrs A.O. Eghobamien of Benin City, Edo State and Prof A.B. Kasunmu of Lagos, Lagos State.
1995- 1997: Magistrate and Chairman of the Rent Edict Tribunal in the Lagos State Government Judiciary from where she retired a second time around as a result of the statutory retiring age of sixty-five (65) years of age.
Iredus Iredis JP liked this on Facebook.