By Ingram Osigwe
“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us” – Helen Keller.
It was an emotional, traumatic and difficult moment for the Ereh family of Owerre Akokwa in Ideato North local government area of Imo state on April 25, 2025 as they tearfully bid their beloved daughter and sister, the late Jane Ijeoma Ereh farewell.
A US- based certified Nurse, the late Ijeoma died last December after a brief illness. She was survived by his Mother, Mrs Rhoda Ereh and many siblings including Chief Anayo Ereh, Chief Emeka Ereh, Mrs Chinwe Emenike among others.
Before her remains were flown back to Nigeria for burial, the Akokwa cum Igbo community in Houston, Texas where she lived and practiced her profession organised a wake up/ service of songs in her honour.
Age 54, Ijeoma was buried after a requiem mass at St. David’s Catholic Church, Owerre- Akokwa.
Born September 16, 1970, to the late Nzeh Paul and Lolo Rhoda Ereh of Akokwa, in Ideato North LGA of Imo State, Ijeoma Jane Ereh was the first daughter and child of her parents.
A devout Catholic with immense leadership capabilities, while in the United States, Ijeoma never lost touch with her roots, fully identifying with the Akokwa and broader Ideato community. She was a member of Akokwa United Association, in Houston Texas and also Akokwa USA. In Akokwa USA—the umbrella organization for all Akokwa indigenes in the United States of America, she represented Owerre Akokwa on the Board of their Directors.
Among hundreds of well wishers, associates and friends of the Erehs that attended Ijeoma’s burial include Chief (Sir) Obinna Ujari (Iheamarame Akokwa) Ranking member, People’s Club International, Chief Dr. Alphonsus Okpara (Mmiri mara Ugo n’Uruala), Patron People’s Club International, Nze Agina C. Onuoha
(Nze Akokwa), National President: Akokwa USA, Chief Sir Chidi Chiege Ihe Oma Ideato, CEO, NatDora International, Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere of Fed House of Reps, Chief Joel Munonye, Chief Luke Okeke, Chief Mike Orji, Chief John Ihebighi, Hon Odera Onwudiwe, Chief Oliver Ginika, Dr Mike Izuogu, among others.
