Kanyi Okeke
A young Nigerian doctor and her two kids sadly lost their lives in a fire incident.
The tragic incident happened at Park View estate Ikoyi in Lagos State and the fire was reportedly caused by an electrical fault.
Ijeoma’s friend Olatoun Gabi-Williams shared an eulogy to her, read below;
“IJEOMA IDARESIT née EJEKAM
OBITUARY
On Saturday 12th December 2020, we lost a dearly loved one, Ijeoma Idaresit née Ejekam, our African Book Group librarian and cherished friend to all of us.
The tragic death of Ijeoma – fondly known as Ije- occurred at her Park View residence when due to an electrical fault, a fire started, quickly consuming the entire building with Ije and her two beautiful daughters – a toddler and a baby – indoors, upstairs. The fire brigade showed up 20 minutes too late: by the time they managed to get upstairs to rescue the young family, it was too late.
I remember Ijeoma’s first day at ABG – so many years ago now, her mother an ABG stalwart, Nnenna Ejekam, inducted her into the group. What a blessing Ije became so soon. She loved literature and the discussions that followed review presentations were always livelier and richer, because Ije was with us. ABG Christmas Parties would have been incomplete without the feast of dishes, Ije’s mother would send to us whether or not she was able to attend. That was how much it meant to Aunty Nnenna that her daughter was a part of the Africa Book Group.
In 2018, when my father became so ill, he was in and out of hospital, it was beloved Ije who took over as Acting ABG Coordinator and she was so dedicated. Thank you, darling Ije. She was our most able librarian, making the books consistently available to members every week and caring for them.
On a personal basis, I loved Ije – her quiet cheerfulness, her gentleness, her razor sharp mind which she shared with such discretion. She was so respectful! Thank you, Ije. I attended her wedding to Abbas Idaresit – her nice husband, now so tragically bereaved . I was at the wedding with other ABG members in full aso ebi. What a lovely wedding! As she walked down the aisle, she reached out to gently squeeze my hand, smiling that warm smile of hers, that reached up and lit up her eyes. She was so full of life. Thank you Ije! The late Gail Vendeland – an American – also attended the wedding in full aso ebi – I remember it well, Gail’s iro and buba, complete with a superbly tied, regal gele. That is how much we all loved Ije.
I loved her as I love her mother, Nnenna. When they showed up together at the Wake-Keeping service when my father died , I felt so appreciated.
Such a loving mother; such a loving daughter. Ije’s own daughters were gorgeous – like their mother.
Now we are talking about Ije’s passing and it is so shocking, so cruelly unnecessary, so totally wrong . We are all beyond words.
Ije, I haven’t taken in your passing. I can’t; it is too difficult.May your beautiful soul and the souls of your gorgeous little girls, rest in eternal peace. May your husband, Abass, your mother, Aunty Nnenna, your father and siblings be comforted. As the days pass, may they find strength in their memories of you.
Olatoun Gabi-Williams”
IJEOMA IDARESIT née EJEKAM
Ijeoma Idaresit obituary will be announced by the family.
May their gentle souls rest in peace!
In other news, Bayelsa State Police Command has paraded a 40-year-old jealous lover, Etifa Obukulubu, who set ablaze his estranged girlfriend and her pastor at the Igbogene area of the state.
Obukulubu said he acted in anger after peeping through the window to see the pastor on top of his girlfriend.
