Chief Mrs Oyibo Ekwulo Odinamadu was born on January 2nd, 1928, to the family of Mr. Ekemezie and Mrs. Mgboye Akwuba, of Awkuzu in Oyi LGA of Anambra State. Her parents were among the third-generation early Christian converts.
She left Nigeria for the United States of America in 1948, for further studies, on a scholarship. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education/History/Sociology from the Lincoln University, Missouri, in 1952; and Master of Arts in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, USA, in 1953.
Young Oyibo returned home early in 1954, the very first woman graduate of Eastern Nigeria origin, and also with a second degree!
Among her many firsts, Odinamadu was the first female university graduate from the former Eastern Region of Nigeria, first Igbo woman to get a driving license and drive a car as well as the first indigenous principal of both Womens’ Training College Enugu and Queens School Enugu.
She was also an Inspector in-charge, Examinations and Teachers Registration Branch, rose to the rank of Inspector of Education, Grade One, and retired voluntarily in 1971.
She was appointed as Chairman, Board of Governors, Queens School Enugu; Member, Anambra State School Board, the Hospital Management Board, the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into Examination Leakages, the Governing Council of the Bendel State University, now Ambrose Alli University, Anambra State Development Board, Anambra State Local Government Service Commission, and the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, among others.
In 1978 she joined the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, led by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. She was elected as the 1st National Vice President of the party and also served as the party’s Chairman of the National Working Committee a position she held until the proscription of the party by General Buhari/Idiagbon regime
Equally, in 1979,she became a deputy governorship candidate of the party in Anambra State.
She was a Member, Order of the Niger, MON, Member, Order of Republic of Biafra, MORB, Knight of Saint Christopher,. KSC, Woman of the Year by the Nigeria Union of Journalists and, in 1997, by the Enugu State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and numerous others.
A house is named after her in Queens School, Enugu, as well as in the Women’s Centre, Abuja.
High Chief (Mrs) Oyibo Ekwulo Odinamadu died on Wednesday March 30, 2022 at the age of 94.
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