Dr Aribim Chuchu Ajumogobia, a luminously beautiful young woman, was brutally and mysteriously murdered in Lagos last month.

The relationship between Aribim’s family and my family goes back decades. Her late grandparents – friends of my late parents and both natives of the Kalabari kingdom in Rivers, our home state – were much-loved, highly principled and widely respected.

I have many happy adolescent memories of Aribim’s father, Soboma (a gentleman who was such fun to hang out with), and his siblings, Emi (my mother’s sweet, classy favourite!), Odein (whip-smart Minister of Petroleum under President Goodluck Jonathan), Ibiai (super-stylish bank director) and the multi-talented Opunimi (who recently completed a stint as the Nigerian Ambassador to Greece).

This is not the first time that a major tragedy has struck the Ajumogobia clan. In 1996, its paterfamilias was killed in a plane crash, alongside 143 other passengers and ADC Air crew members.

The Ajumogobias and I have stayed in touch over the years. And I feel utterly helpless at the moment because how on earth can one adequately console a family that has lost a precious child, niece, sister and cousin to homicide, especially at such a young age.

Heartfelt condolences to Soboma, his wife (Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia) and all who loved dear departed Aribim.

She will be buried in Lagos this weekend.

PRINCESS PATRICIA 

GBOLOBA AWUNE PETERSIDE (NEE BOB-MANUEL), a Kalabari royal, will also be buried this weekend – in Abonnema where she was born a century ago, in October 1924.

She was the proud mother of my big brother, Atedo Peterside, who founded Stanbic IBTC Bank and will no doubt always be regarded as one of the most distinguished Rivers men who ever graced this planet.

Her father, Prince Morgan Opuarudokubo Bob-Manuel, was the son of H.R.H. Bob-Manuel 2 (Uwukoriye Ekine) Owukori the second, the first Amanyanabo of Abonnema 1882-1901.

Her father excelled as a civil servant, became Controller of Customs during the colonial era and was awarded an Imperial Service Order honour by His Majesty King George VI of Great Britain in 1941.

Princess Patricia’s mother, Mrs Violet Oju Bob-Manuel also sprung from noble stock – she was a scion of the Young Briggs compound.

She attended St Cyprian’s Kindergarten in Port Harcourt, Bishop Crowther Memorial School in Abonnema, Queen’s College Lagos and the Anglican Girls Seminary in Lagos, where she specialised in Dressmaking and Domestic Science.

Her dream was to become a medical doctor and she was admitted into the University of Glasgow, UK, in 1945. Sadly, her studies were truncated by the death of her father and funder. And she wound up settling for a less expensive nursing education.

She was trained at Charing Cross Hospital in London and became a member of the Royal College of Nursing and National Council of Nursing of the United Kingdom.

She never lost her thirst for knowledge and excellence, did a study tour in the United States and eventually became one of the most senior nurses in Nigeria.

Throughout her life, she was a staunch Christian, church chorister and generous giver; and her house was famed for being open to all who came in contact with her – both white and black.

She married Alabo (Dr) Michael Clement Atowari Peterside on the 24th of June, 1950 which, coincidentally, was his 32nd birthday.

They had a civic marriage at the prestigious Caxton Hall, City of Westminster, London. It is interesting to add that her mother Mama Oju had an elaborate Church service at St, Augustine’s Church, Abonnema on the same day and time of the wedding which was being solemnized in London. Marriage Blessings at the St. Martins-in-the-field, Trafalgar Square, City of Westminster, London, and Kalabari ceremonies also took their turn later.

The marriage was blessed with two daughters and a son.

Atedo has this to say about his mother:

“Mum was always very strong spiritually and she lived her life in accordance with the written word in the Bible.

“[When I realised that her end was near], I decided that I would visit my Mum in Port Harcourt every month going forward without fail – and so I saw her in January, in February and in March 2024.

“Each visit was like a last Supper. Indeed, the very last “Supper” we had together was on Friday, 08 March 2024, when I came visiting.

“Since my Mum passed on, the only emotion that I have entertained has been one of immense gratitude to God for granting Mum’s three great wishes. These were:

1) Never having to bury a Child, Grandchild or Great Grandchild;

2) Lived to see her youngest Grandchild become an adult.

3) Never really being hospitalised – not even in her final month, week or day;

“The foundation for almost everything that I know today about Core Values, Integrity, the Dangers surrounding Cutting Corners and/or trying to be too clever by a half, Loyalty, the rationale for following Due Process, etc., was laid by my Mum. It was all bedded down by an anxious mother who had a burning desire to protect her only son.”

Aww. May she rest in perfect peace in the Bosom of the Almighty.

DONU’S WORLD

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In today’s Donu’s World video, I have a relaxed chat with Polly Alakija, a stylish Anglo-German artist chum of mine who married a Nigerian and lives in Abuja, about her slimness and my fatness!

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