Family, Friends Pay Tribute to Late Educationist Margaret Ermiokhale in Lagos
By Cynthia Okere, Lagos
Family, friends and well-wishers gathered in Lagos at the weekend to honor the life and legacy of Mrs Margaret Azama Eremiokhale, mother of Rita Eremiokhale, former Deputy Director of News at Voice of Nigeria.
Mrs Eremiokhale was laid to rest at Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos, following a funeral service attended by relatives, friends and associates.
The late educationist was remembered as a loving and caring mother, committed teacher and devoted Christian whose life was defined by kindness, service and unwavering faith in God.
Delivering a sermon at the funeral service, the officiating pastor urged those present to build a relationship with God and dedicate their lives to His service, stressing the transient nature of earthly life.
He said human existence was often confronted by challenges, making faith in God and salvation through Christ important.
“Man born into this world is full of trouble. You are not enjoying anything in this world. When you think you are enjoying, one problem or the other will creep in and alter the joy, the reason you have to give your life to Christ. Mama has finished her own journey and has gone to be with her Maker,” he said.
Mrs Eremiokhale’s children remembered their mother as a woman who devoted much of her life to caring for and protecting her family while remaining committed to her Christian faith.
Happy Eremiokhale described her mother as someone who gave everything she could.
“My mom has one fault; she tried so hard being a mother. Mama tried her best to live in the will of God. I love her so much, but we don’t mourn like people without hope,” she said.
For Rita Eremiokhale, the loss was deeply personal, but she took consolation in her mother’s faith and the life she lived.
“Mama has gone to be with the Lord that she served and lived for all her life. If there is anything as reincarnation, I will still choose her to be my mother. I miss her so much,” she said.
Other members of the family also described their late mother as a source of love, protection and spiritual guidance whose influence would remain with them long after her passing.
Margaret Azama Eremiokhale was born on June 16, 1942, to Mr and Mrs Ofumwengbele of the royal family of Uromi in Edo State, Nigeria.
She pursued a career in teaching, dedicating part of her life to educating and helping to shape the future of Nigerian children.
Teaching was her calling. She started as a Grade Three teacher, then honed her skills at Sacred Heart College, Ubiaja, bagging a Grade Two Teaching Certificate. She capped it with an Associate Certificate in Education from the University of Benin.
In her early twenties, she married Charles Okpiase Eremiokhale. Their marriage was blessed with six children. One of their sons, Friday, died in infancy.
She is survived by five children, Rita, Happy, Israel, Joshua and Peter Eremiokhale, as well as six grandchildren.
May her soul rest in peace, Amen 🙏