Tribute to Mrs. C.O. Ajufo
“For it is harvest evening now and we
Are piling up the ricks against the moonlight
And you smile up at us — eternally.”
The lines from the above dirge by Patrick Kavanagh in his poem, “In Memory of My Mother”, perfectly encapsulate the prevalent feelings that have enveloped the entire Ajufo family, over the passing of their matriarch, Mrs. Caroline Ogbeianu Ajufo.
A matriarch is not just a mother. It takes a unique mother to earn such title because a matriarch has nurturing instincts, wisdom, and the patience to be mother to all, embracing more than just her immediate offspring.
Aged 86, “Oyii the Great” as she was fondly called by her family and friends was born 24th December, 1934 in Burutu, Delta State to the family of Obi William Ojei and his wife Anasi-Obi Janet Ogolibueze of Umualofe Umueze, Ibusa. She was married to Michael Nwanji Ajufo, who was then a miner in Jos, Plateau State.
Mrs. C.O Ajufo is survived by her children Patricia, Donatus, Michael, Catherine and President of Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, Chief Emmanuel Ajufo.
According to Chief Ajufo, “Mama was a faithful and dutiful house wife, a loving and caring mother who sacrificed her pleasure and comfort to give her children the best training and education hence she was called ‘Nne ndi oyibo’ (mother of educated children).”
“We will sorely miss her,” he said.
Also expressing her accolade, Patricia Ajufo said: “Mama was a very beautiful woman and a cynosure of all eyes. Because she was very fair in complexion, she was admired by all and called names such as Oyibo, Oyibo Miss, Oyii the Great, Onyeoma-data, among others.”
Hardworking, passionate, resilient, and loving mother, Mrs. C.O Ajufo was an entrepreneur, trader of household wares, a devout Christian of the Catholic faith, and a member of several bodies in the church, including the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Catholic Women Organisation, among others. She was crowned a Golden Mother and later made a Patroness. Until her death, she was “Ada Alofe’ (the oldest woman in her quarter of Umueze, Ibusa).
Besides her children, late Mrs. Ajufo is survived by her brother, His Royal Majesty, Obi Louis Nwoboshi, the Obuzor of Ibusa, and Professor Emeritus of the University of Ibadan.
She will be laid to rest in her hometown at Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government of Delta State.
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