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Good afternoon, Kings,Queens,Chief s, Nze’s, Lolos, ladies and gentlemen, and all other protocols observed. It is my immense honor and privilege to introduce to you a woman of remarkable bravery, a trailblazer, an unstoppable force of nature – my elder sister, Professor Engineer, Egondu Rosemary Onyejekwe! (Nee Ezirim). As many of you know, I am His Worship Ezinne Eziada Attorney Mrs. Agatha Kingsley-Emeh, the fourth of the seven Sir Ufere & Lady Cecilia Ezirim children. Growing up, I had the unique vantage point of being the middle child, with three older sisters and three younger brothers. This position allowed me to observe and admire Sister Egondu’s brilliant mind and unwavering determination from a very special perspective. Sister Egondu has always been a shining star in our family.
She is an accomplished engineer and health professional, a testament to her intellectual prowess and dedication to serving others. Apart from serving for three years as a Consultant to the World Heath Organizations’ Health Information Metrics System, she worked at The Ohio State University from where she retired after 20 years. There, she was fast tracked and rose to the position of the Director of Emerging Technologies. [Just think about that for a moment and consider her visionary propensities]. Yet, at the core, she is all about humanity and human beings. She loves people! So, beyond her professional achievements, she is a woman of incredible warmth, generosity, and humor. She lights up any room with her infectious laughter and has a heart big enough to embrace the world. Sister Egondu embodies the spirit of “no child left behind.” Her generosity ] knows no bounds, and she is always ready to lend a helping hand, and open doors – both front and back! – and offer guidance without judgment.
She is a role model in our society, a loving mother of four – two boy and two girls – all accomplished in their own ri g h ts [Dr. Lawrence Okey Onyejekwe Jr., Dr. Mrs. J. Nwando Olayiwola, Attorney Sylvia I. Onyejekwe and Attorney Chukwueme kaN . Onyejekwe – Aka MekkaDon] and blessed with a loving, supportive husband, Professor Lawrence Okey Onyejekwe. She is also a grandmother of eight children, five boys and three girls. (The two older grandsons are now in college). She is an inspiration to us all, showing us the power of education, kindness, perseverance, and unwavering belief in God and in the potential of others. Some of you may know her as “The Sister who owns America.” It’s true! When she first came to the United States, she declared, “London is nothing – everyone has to be in America!” And true to her word, she paved the way for me and our other siblings to experience the American dream. Her home became a haven, not just for our family, but for extended relatives, friends, and even in-laws. She welcomed everyone with open arms, offering support and guidance as they navigated a new life. But Sister Egondu’s impact extends far beyond our family. Her organizational skills are legendary.
From her tireless work during the Nigerian/Biafran War, where she vowed that no child would die of Kwashiorkor under her watch, to founding the Weavers of Nigeria here in Columbus, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to bring people together and achieve extraordinary things. And it’s important to remember where this incredible drive comes from. Sister Egondu grew up in a time when girls were often denied an education. But our parents, defying societal norms, believed in the power of education for all their children. Sister Egondu, in turn, rewarded their faith by excelling in her studies. She consistently outperformed her male classmates, finishing elementary school in six years instead of eight! She gained admission to the prestigious Queen’s School Enugu and then to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she graduated with Second Class Honors, Upper Division, second only to one male student in her class. Her achievements inspired other parents in our community to see the value of educating their daughters, creating a ripple effect that transformed the lives of countless girls.
It is no surprise then that she has now turned her attention to our homeland, Owerrenkworji, to establish “The Garden of HOPE Foundation.” This incredible initiative, born from her compassionate heart, seeks to empower rural community development through the bottom-up of helping others produce excellence approaches in areas as diverse as agriculture, commerce, education, health, etc. And so, with great pride and excitement, I present to you the Founder and President of The Garden of HOPE Foundation, the one and only, “The Sister,” Professor Engineer Egondu Rosemary Onyejekwe! (Nee Ezirim).
Let the gates open and welcome this visionary leader!
Thank you.