Gender activist, Esther Uzoma goes home

By Lillian Okenwa

Tears flowed freely as the vivacious civil rights activist Esther Uzoma was buried Friday at her home town in Imo state.

Born 23rd November 1972, Esther’s sudden demise on on Wednesday, January 6, thew Nigeria’s civil rights community into great shock and mourning.

She died after surgery at a hospital in Abuja.

Energetic, audacious and better remembered for championing gender issues and matters concerning the girl child, Esther Uzoma she was convener of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room as well as National Coordinator of Proactive Gender Initiatives (PGI).

Lawyer, social reformer, Esther was also a member of many other associations including the Feminist Womanifesto, a coalition of civil society organisations working for the realisation of women’s rights in Nigeria and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Abuja branch.

The Situation Room in a statement announcing her death said: “Esther was very energetic, and a committed human rights activist and has been in the forefront of driving Nigeria democratic reforms, she will be sorely missed by all who came in contact with her.”

Likewise, FIDA in a statement signed by its Abuja Public Relations Officer, Mojirayo Ogunlana-Nkanga on behalf of the Branch’s Chairperson, Mrs. Rekia Rachael Adejo-Andrew expressed distress over her death.

Below are the reactions of FIDAns at her passing captured in the statement.

“This is such a rude shock to us all. Esther was such a vibrant woman full of life and energy with so much passion for her convictions. So saddening. May the Almighty God rest her soul and grant her family comfort.”

“Oh noooooo! This is tragic! May her soul rest in perfect peace and may God comfort us and her entire family ooo😭😭😭”

“Very sad. She still had so much to give. May Esther’s soul rest in peace. My condolences to her family.”

“This is so shocking 🙆🏼‍♀️🙆🏼‍♀️🙆🏼‍♀️🙆🏼‍♀️😭😭😭😭. What happened to Esther. Oh my God!!

May God comfort her family she left behind & FIDA and may her soul rest in perfect peace”

“OMG🙆😲😳😭😭😭😭😭😭 What a loss!!! May her soul rest in perfect peace and may God comfort and console her family, friends and loved ones. 🙏

“Oh!!! What a great loss to the Legal profession and women’s rights activism. We have lost a great woman who is fearless when it comes to speaking the truth. Lord rest her soul. I watched her last few days ago on AIT discussing issues on women and the girl child. Esther Uzoma, we love you but God loves you most. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭”

“This is so sad 😭. She has a passion for what she does. What is happening? Just too early to start the year on a sad note . God don’t let us mourn again. May her soul rest in peace.”

“May the good Lord grant you eternal rest n May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace Amen 🙏”

“Just got from a social Media the demise of Esther Uzoma. It’s unbelievable! A beautiful soul, rarely judgemental and very accommodating and always cheerful and hilarious.
So sad! May her soul rest in perfect peace Amen.”

“A big loss indeed. A very articulate political and women’s activist. Always on fire and on point whenever she appeared on tv to address burning issues. Hummm! Really sad. May her soul rest in perfect peace Amen and Amen🙏🏻.”

“She was very courageous and did not mince words when expressing her opinion about the situation in the country. May God grant her eternal rest and console her family and associates.”

“OMG 💔not Esther ooo. She was full of life very passionate and articulate in her presentations. We will sorely miss her. My condolences to all she left behind. May her soul rest in peace Amen ✌️Shalom🙏”

“This is such sad news indeed. May her soul rest in perfect peace. May God grant her family the fortitude to bear this unexpected loss.”

“May her soul rest in peace and May God Almighty comfort FIDANs and her family Amen”

“A big loss indeed. May her beautiful soul rest with the Lord and may God grant her family the fortitude to bear her loss. Amen”

“The encomium showered on this lovely soul, made Me weep this beautiful mourning for someone I NEVER HAD A PHYSICAL/PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH BUT ONLY ON THE SCREEN OF TELEVISION 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. It is golden to be passionate; forthright & hearty✅

Barr. Esther sure was more larger in goodness than her physical size🥰👌🏻”

“Such terribly sad news! May the Almighty grant her soul eternal repose, and comfort the family greatly.”

“My very dear friend is gone. A very jovial and warm human being to be around with. Hardworking and SINCERELY committed to her passion. Very optimistic in her view of life even in difficult moments. Though opinionated but NEVER judgemental. I will not mourn her but celebrate her legacies and hold a fond memories of her because she deserves it.
May her soul continue to rest in the bossom of Our Lord Amen.”

“I actually called her to say I hadn’t heard from her in recent times. Later I sent her a client…had to discuss the natter before calling. Effectively that would be the last I spoke to her…. Must have been in November or December.
Apart from on TV, I haven’t seen her for at least two years.”

“It feels like Esther will emerge from somewhere and declare this April fool stuff!
May her soul rest in peace”

“I did not meet Esther Uzoma during her lifetime. However I have read, watched the Arise tribute. The out pouring tributes and prayers by Fidans and came to the inescapable conclusion that she must have been a great loss to humanity. It is my prayer that Our God will give the family the fortitude to bear her loss. Eternal rest grant her O Lord May she Rest In Peace 🙏🙏🙏🙏”

A night of tribute was held in her honour yesterday, Tuesday, 1st of February in Abuja by
a Coalition of CSOs and another will hold today the 2nd of February in Lagos preceding her burial on the 5th in her home town.

Prior to her burial, various nights of tributes were held in her honour by the Feminist Womanifesto, FIDA, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and others.