By CHIEF BROWN MENE

Preamble 

In times such as this, moments are taken to reminisce on times with the deceased as we also pay our respects. It is really to enable the yet living to take stock and reposition ourselves to live the rest of life more meaningfully. 

Like Her Mother Before Her, and More 

It is generally said that a tree really replicates itself. The Itsekiri would say, ‘EPKIYE RE KPEKPERE’. The saying is meant to recognise, appreciate and acknowledge the very distinguishable semblance in a descendant from a progenitor.  

I had the privilege of knowing a very beautiful, elegant, graceful and stately Mama Ajemgbitse Richards, about the age of my mother. This was in Sapele in the late 1950s. She was very highly respected and admired by many as she was seen and known as being among the top echelon of the society. To hear at that time that her daughter was returning from England after qualifying as a lawyer, was another decor, as it were, on her already high social profile. 

When the daughter finally arrived, to the admiration of all, the then Miss Grace Birogbemi Edukugho was easily seen as truly descended from her beautiful, elegant and stately mother. Her looks, adornment and carriage eloquently attested to that. Her achievement as a lawyer further raised the bar of that profile. 

She was not just the first Itsekiri female lawyer; she was also the first in our then part of the then Western Region of Nigeria, that is, the Midwest that has finally become Edo State and Delta State. 

Has Bequeathed a Lot 

She was later married to Frank Ogbemi, an engineer. Knowing them from then till death did them part, it was very evident that they were a perfect match and a great team. As could very clearly be observed, neither of them devalued the other. They were a glorious couple together. It can also be easily seen that they were great parents as well. 

They also played their respective roles as Itsekiri people and, by extension, in the larger Nigerian society. They served as quiet and unobtrusive patriots and many there are, who have been positively touched and uplifted by them. 

Thank God for the children God gave them, all of whom they have raised well, such that each of them had from them what good parents could give to their children. They have been bequeathed with such good legacy which, we believe, will stand them in good stead and therefore are well positioned to fly the family flag with pride and greater accomplishments in their own rights as well. 

She and her husband (of blessed memory) served the nation creditably in their respective professions. They would have mutually encouraged each other optimally in that regard. We are aware of her contribution to the founding of FIDA of which we are told that she remained in high position till the very end. 

I was earnestly looking forward, along with my wife, to being among those who were to gather with some other close friends and family on July 11, 2025 to commemorate her 90th Birthday. It was not to be, as the angels came calling, to take her away from us all before that day. God always knows and does the best. 

My wife and I found that the funerals have also been fixed on days which left us (and my wife) no opportunity to participate, due to the unintended clash with unavoidable exigency of duty calls. We appreciate using the option of this medium to pay our respects and identify with the family. 

Consolation for Her Survivors 

She lived a well fulfilled life. Her beauty was neither wasted nor degraded. She remained her beautiful, elegant and dignified self-till the end. She and her husband raised a great family. In the span of about seven decades of the practice of her profession, she touched many lives and her services helped to give value and order in the socio-economic life of this country and beyond. In all of these circles and more, she has left an enviable legacy. The memory of her will remain green and graceful, leaving the challenge of her inspiration to remember her as a clear and distinctive role model. 

The children and grandchildren will find the consolation to assuage the otherwise pain of grieving. It can never be said or conjectured that her demise is tragic. Certainly not so! It is only that one, as invaluable and dearly beloved as she would no longer be physically available to relate to and relate with. 

Let us thank God that what she has left behind for all who love her is enough to always remember for good. 

We believe that the moment she breathed her last, she entered into the eternal presence of the Lord where she needs nothing from us, no longer even prayers, since none of that will be of any good for her or even for us. May the memory of her keep spurring us to honour her and all that is dear to her. That is what we owe her, for our good. Blessed are the dead who die in Christ, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. (Rev. 14.23).  

•Chief Brown Mene, the Ogwa-Olusan of Warri, wrote via: [email protected]