Mrs Patricia Okereke, nee Onwubiko, the eldest sister of the founder of civil rights advocacy group in Nigeria – HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) – is dead.
She died on May 1, 2025 in Abuja.
Confirming the unfortunate news in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the activist who was a National Commissioner of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, it was disclosed that Mrs. Patricia Okereke, who was a mother of 6 children and many grand children, died in a very brief illness in the wee hours of May 1st 2025 in the nation’s capital.
Comrade Onwubiko said his sister was an angel during her time with the family just as she was charitable, kindhearted, deeply religious and profoundly Godly just as Mrs. Patricia was described by the HURIWA’S boss as someone who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Comrade Onwubiko said:”My late Sister who was named after the iconic Roman Catholic Saint, Saint Patricia, was humane, charitable, a lover of God and humanity and was forthright, honest and a great mobiliser in the Christian community.
“Prior to entering tertiary institution, my sister actually aspired to become a Roman Catholic Nun but then upon maturity chose the vocation of marriage and motherhood. ”
“My sister was an angel because she was the one I always run to for counselling whenever troubling issues came up just as she was such a wise person, and her counselling and words of advice were topnotch. She would always call to find out about my welfare, and the wellbeing of my children, the family and then quickly reminded me about the fleeting nature of life on Earth which makes it imperative for us to love God and serve humanity selflessly.”
“My Sister was a voice of moderation who often called to asked me to take things as they come with patience and that I should not stop speaking truth to power but to always pray for God’s infinite protection. She preached peace, love, and unity of the family and constantly reminded me to remain Godfearing and never abandon the mother Church. Myself and our extended family will miss her. She was a fantastic mother of her children and a great wife. She made sure her entire children graduated from prestigious Universities just as all her children are doing well in their chosen profession.”
e-Signed
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko,
National Coordinator
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA).
