Matriarch Of Okonjo Dynasty Professor Kamene Okonjo Dies At 96 As WTO DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Mourns

World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has paid an emotional tribute to her mother, Professor Kamene Okonjo, who passed away at the age of 96, describing her as a woman who lived a full and quality life until the very end.

The matriarch of the Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family of Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State died on Friday, with her passing announced by the palace in a statement issued on Sunday.

In a post on her official X handle, Okonjo-Iweala expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and wrote, “My mother lived a quality life till the end and we are very grateful we had her for so long. May her soul rest in perfect peace”.

The royal family described the late professor as an extraordinary woman whose life was defined by intellectual brilliance, humility, and compassion.

“An internationally recognised and foremost sociologist, Prof. Kamene Okonjo distinguished herself through her outstanding academic accomplishments, intellectual contributions and lifelong advocacy for women’s rights and empowerment,” the family statement read. The family added that “while we mourn her passing, we celebrate a life exceptionally well lived”.

Professor Okonjo was the wife of the late Obi (Prof.) Chukwuka Okonjo, the immediate past traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, with whom she shared 66 years of marriage.

She was also the mother of the reigning monarch, Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II, alongside Okonjo-Iweala and other children including Dr Njideka Okonjo-Udochi, Onyema Okonjo, and Chichi Okonjo.

Tributes have continued to pour in from across the country. Abia State Governor Alex Otti described the loss as a personal one, stating, “To lose a mother is to lose a part of oneself. For us in Abia, this is a personal loss. We have lost a mother, a matriarch who raised a daughter who has become a global pride to Abia, Ndigbo, Nigeria and to all of humanity”.

President Bola Tinubu also extended his heartfelt condolences to the royal family, commiserating with Okonjo-Iweala and describing the late matriarch as an accomplished academic whose life was defined by service to humanity.

No burial arrangements had been announced as of the reports seen.