Emotions as Zik’s sister is buried in Onitsha

2026-03-07 - 07:27

By Fred Iwenjora It was an emotionally charged moment of eulogies as relatives, kits and kin of Nigeria’s first president Rt. Hon. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe as well as their friends and well wishers gathered recently for the burial of Late Mrs. Victoria Nwando Obiozo, Nwaezekaibie, (Nee Azikiwe). Mrs. Obiozo, a British trained nurse was a younger sister to Zik. Until her death, she was aged 87. The three days event started with the body of Mrs. Obiozo departing Charles Borromeo Hospital morgue to her ancestral home Iba Obed Edom Azikiwe before leaving for her husband’s residence 27 St. Stephen road, Inland town Onitsha for lying in state on Friday 23rd January, 2026. It was followed by a funeral service at Immanuel Anglican church, Onitsha before her burial at her residence. A thanksgiving service held in her honor at same venue on Sunday 25th January, 2026. Late Mrs. Obiozo was married to late Orimili Leo Jimoh Obiozo with whom he begot Carol, Victor, Nwando, Nkiru and Emeka. She worked for several health care institutions in the UK, returned to Nigeria to join the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu and retired as a Matron. Retired but not tired, she returned to the UK to continue what many family members agree was a ‘natural calling’; nursing. Ordinarily, as a sister to Zik, many expected a loud interment of a person of her nobility but the event was solemn, modest and private the way she lived her life despite that her children and relatives led by Nnanyelugo Alex Etukokwu rolled out the drums to celebrate their mother, grand mother, great grand mother, sister, and aunty. You could have seen the looks on some faces at the Immanuel Anglican church, Onitsha when the funeral programme/tributes were distributed and they read about Zik’s younger sister. About Late Mrs. Victoria Obiozo Historically speaking Obed Edom Okunwa Azikiwe had three wives. His first wife had two children; Nnamdi Azikiwe known to many as Zik and his sister. His second wife had three children, two sons and a daughter while his third and last wife had five children; three daughters including Mrs. Obiozo and her twin younger brothers. Victor Onyelukachukwu Obiozo, first son of Mrs. Obiozo who spoke during the funeral procession disclosed that after graduating from Central primary school Odoakpu, Onitsha Mrs. Obiozo along with her elder sister proceeded to City College, Yaba, Lagos, a school founded by her elder brother Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. This was when Mr. McEwen was principal of the school and Gen Ike Nwachukwu was her classmate . She lived between the dormitory of the school and her elder brother Zik’s house with so many visitors trooping daily which may have influenced her style, etiquette and comportment. According to Victor, my mother told me that Zik’s house in Lagos was a beehive of activities with visitors daily. She told me that she initially wanted to be a secretary like most young people of the time but her elder brother, Zik having observed her and had great influence in her life advised that she would do better as a nurse and helped her gain admission into a British nursing school even travelling with her to London to resume her studies. In an emotional tribute he wrote, my mother “taught me humility. Coming from a great pedigree, she never flaunted her heritage. Few knew she was a sibling of a former Nigerian president. She carried on in silence with grace. She was a very strict and loving mother. I guess I must have been named after her. She was a devoted servant in the healing profession whose gentle hands and steadfast spirit reflected Christ’s compassion.” Renowned Quantity surveyor Akunwata Alex Nwosisi, a long time friend of the Obiozo family told a tale of a long standing relationship with the Obiozo’s in his own tribute. According to him “Nwando was one of the daughters of Okunwa Obed Azikiwe of Umuozomocha kindred Ogbeabo Village Onitsha. She was a kid sister to Rt Hon. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Owelle of Onitsha. She lived a fulfilled life. She had a gentle disposition and was soft spoken”. Another noteworthy sight at the burial of Madam Obiozo was the presence of the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwes through-out the ceremonies which underscored the fact that she may have been a beloved aunty and sister. In a tribute, nephew to the deceased, Akwue Molokwu Azikiwe, who was present through-out the three-day burial event with his mum, widow of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof Uche Azikiwe and brother Okunwa Uwakwe Azikiwe noted that Mrs Obiozo was a “loving aunt and a beautiful soul”. Continuing he wrote “to know aunty Nwando you experience kindness and quiet grace. She listened without judgment, advised with wisdom and cared deeply and sincerely” The tribute from Daniel Uzoka jocularly called Adhe by his peers touched all especially when he is neither a family member nor a relative. He is friend of Victor’s who was regular visitor to her house. He writes “I actually lost my second mum. She was very kind and loving to me. She treated me like a son making peace between us when we quarelled. She gave me food and addressed me by my nickname Adhe and treated me so nicely as his son. There are few people like Mrs Obiozo” With the death of Madam Victoria Nwando Obiozo, the surviving siblings of Rt. Hon. Nnamdi Azikiwe are now remaining four. The eldest surviving sibling of Great Zik is Nwamunama Onua Azikiwe who is 92 years old and lives in the US. He is followed by 90 years old Mrs. Elizabeth Okotcha, who is immediate elder to the deceased and lives in London. Mrs. Okotcha is now senior to the twin brothers Nwobu Azikiwe who lives in the US and Arah Azikiwe, who lives in Abuja.