Where do we begin? Well, to all intents and purposes, Victoria Akpidi Okwori (Nee Okai) was like the first fruit of our loins. With genial fondness, we called her “Akpidi”. Actually, that nomenclature was deeply steeped in nativity. Yes, back home, that was the given name. Close family members were acquainted with it. The bond between us was strong. That was why on her part, she called us Mummy and Daddy.
Going back in time, it all started on 1st January, 1983 when Daddy spent a night in the family house in Lagos while a student at the University of Ibadan. Then, Akpidi was a toddler. The relationship blossomed when Daddy later returned to Lagos in 1985/86 for his studies in the Nigerian Law School. While staying with the Okais in the course of the Nigerian Law School, Daddy found in Akpidi a child of destiny, a paragon of beauty and brain. Daddy will carry Akpidi on his shoulders/back and thereby created enabling atmosphere of care, love, protection with resultant air of joy and fulfillment.
Subsequently, in the year 1997 to be precise, Akpidi secured admission to read Pharmacy at the University of Jos. That turned out to be the climax of the bond. She had a home waiting for her. The home of the Akubos. Deliberately and intentionally, Akpidi made herself a daughter in whom we were well pleased. In domestic chores, she needed no prompting as it was her pleasure to take the initiative. In cooking, she was a chef par excellence. With ingenuity, she seemlessly handled local and continental dishes with amiable finesse. Interestingly, it was from her that Mummy learnt how to prepare fried rice, mayonnaise, yoghurt, bottled tomatoes and what have you.
Being the adopted first born of the family, she became a role model to our children. She taught the children how to make table mats, headrest for chairs, etc. For good measure, she equally taught the children how to cook. What is more, through her, the children learnt new songs, memory verses and loved to be in her company as their “Big Aunty”. The children were endeared to her and fondly called her “Aunty Akpidi”. What the children missed in Tales by Moonlight in a typical village setting as a nocturnal past time, they gained through spiritual nuggets from Akpidi in the similitude of “Children Sunday School”. Under her watch, birthdays were golden moments to treasure and cherish in our home. The memories still linger. Birthday photos remain enduring testaments of collective ecstasy.
As for her faith, we bear witness that her encounter with Daughters of Sarah became a defining moment, nay, a remarkable turning point in the life of Akpidi. That encounter opened a floodgate of personal, intimate and experiential relationship with Christ Jesus. Her destiny, love and passion for the Kingdom changed forever thereafter. Her involvement with the Youth Fellowship, ECWA Goodnews Church, Jos and other Fellowships consolidated her faith in Christ Jesus. She grew in the faith in leaps and bounds and became a valuable daughter of Zion. She became rooted and grounded in the Word of God. She turned out to be a dependable disciple and an ambassador of the LORD Jesus. She was an epitome of wisdom and excellence. An extrovert of the first order. There was no dull moment with her.
Uniquely, she was at her best when coordinating Igala Traditional Marriage. Her sense of humour was unparalleled. She had a way of electrifying the crowd at such occasion by keeping people’s ribs cracking with spontaneous laughter. She could diffuse tension with anecdotes, humour, powerful jokes and improvisation. She had a way of bringing in-laws on their knees in obeisance to cultural virtuosity. Her Igala diction and understanding of the culture transcended her age.
The righteous is as bold as a Lion. So, Akpidi was bold, courageous and articulate. She was not given to presumptuous affirmation of popular concepts. Instead, she was assertive, interrogative and ventured to exercise the courage of her conviction when it mattered most. She doubled down as a stellar homemaker, counselor, singer, designer, artist, actress. Like Florence Nightingale, her voice was melodious. She made her mark in singing which climaxed in an album entitled “Face to Face” in 2014. She had uncanny capacity to bring out the nuances of scripts on the stage as an actress thereby animating Drama in practical reality.
Her Marriage to Arome Moses Okwori Esq as he then was on 13th August, 2005 was the climax of an eventful courtship studded with boundless love and sacrifices underpinned by the Finger of God. When she first introduced Arome Moses Okwori Esq to us, we prayed about it, counseled her/them and trusted God that if it was His will, He will bring it to pass to the glory of His Name. Lo and behold, it came to pass. Hence, it was with all pleasure, joy and excitement that we sent her forth from our house in July, 2005 preparatory to her wedding in Lagos on 13th August, 2005. Members of ECWA Goodnews Church, Jos were there in their numbers in our house to celebrate with us. Thankfully, her marriage to Arome Moses Okwori turned out to be a huge success. Their home became an epicenter of hospitality, marriage counseling and reparation.
What else can one say? In terms of vicissitudes, she had it rough and tough! Her life was characterized by different buffetings. But like Job of old, she remained steadfast, resilient and determined to navigate through troubling moments with heroic faith. In this wise, the words of Job resonates: “Even if He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Job 13:15.
She was in and out of Hospital. Even on her Hospital bed, in seemingly hopeless moments, her sense of humour was not lost. In her pain, she would sing and encourage visiting brethren to their amazement! Indeed, she held unto her Maker till the very end. Her passing on 15th February, 2025 at the age of 45 was a time of devastating pain and grief. A personal loss for that matter.
Nevertheless, we are comforted that her life counted for time and eternity. It is not how long one lives that matters, but the impact of life on humanity. Surely, meaningful life is not measured by duration but donation. Happily enough, her life was purpose-driven. She accomplished twice her age. She left behind a monumental legacy of life dedicated and committed to Kingdom principles. A Christ-centered life that reproduced her own kind. She will be remembered as as examplary homemaker, true daughter of Sarah, counselor with positive and contagious influence on others. She was an epitome of the Biblical woman of noble character. In every respect, her life was a song of infectious joy. She will sorely be missed.
Farewell our beloved first born.
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Pius A. Akubo, SAN, FCArb, MICArb (UK) and Dr (Mrs) Esther A. Akubo
