EARLY LIFE
Lady Caroline Nkemakonam Ufudo popularly known as Organizer was born as the first child, into the late Pa Gilbert Odunukwe family in Ifite Nnobi 76 years ago. She attended primary school at Holy Rosary Primary School Nnobi. Young Caro Ufudo then left Nnobi to go live with her uncle Matthew Uzuagu in Nsukka, where she attended Eastern Commercial Bureau Nsukka and graduated in 1967. She afterward got a job with the University of Nigeria Nsukka as a typist.
Shortly afterward, the Nigerian civil war broke out and young Caro Ufudo moved back to Nnobi and joined the Red Cross to help out with taking care of war victims and children.
MARRIAGE AND CAREER
It was while serving with the Red Cross that she met her husband late Sir Pius Ufudo and they got married in January 1970 after the war ended. They both moved back to Nsukka and began working at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. They also had their first child Afoma soon afterwards. While her husband took a sabbatical to go back to university to obtain his undergraduate degree, Lady Ufudo took up the burden of providing for their young family as a way to support her dear husband. The couple then went on to have three more kids, Obinna, Ikechukwu, and Ngozi.
From the University of Nigeria, the couple and their four kids moved to Awka when they both obtained employment with the Anambra State University of Technology Awka, now known as Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) Awka. Lady Ufudo worked as secretary to deans of various faculties in the University. After living in Awka for some years, the family, moved to live in Enugu and Lady Ufudo and her husband transferred to Enugu State University of Technology (Esut). With the creation of new states in the Eastern part of Nigeria, the family had to move back to Awka for a few years before finally settling down in Ifite Nnobi their hometown, and Lady Ufudo got transferred from Awka to NAU Nnewi campus as the senior secretary to the Chief Librarian of the medical institution. She then worked at the institution until her retirement in 2002.
Lady Ufudo was a fantastic mother who loved and cared for her family. She was both a disciplinarian to her kids as well as a loving mother, a job she balanced so well. She prided herself on making sure she gave her kids the best of what she and her husband could afford. Enrolling them in classes and lessons meant for the rich just so they could have the experience and exposure that in turn, equipped them with the mindset to always dream big. She was her husband’s greatest supporter and backbone. Together, they both went on to raise their family with great values through the years, by setting traditions and an environment of love, respect, and of course a lot of humor. Nkem, as her husband Sir Pius Ufudo fondly called her, was indeed a solid partner and wife to her “Nnaa” as she also fondly called him. She took care of her husband selflessly and tirelessly even as he battled heart disease which eventually led to his death. As a grandmother, she loved all her grandchildren deeply and was always happy and proud of the lineage she and her husband contributed to. With the arrival of her great-grandchild Chimamanda, Lady Ufudo’s joy was immeasurable. She would often Facetime her and squeal with pure joy to see her “Great”.
RELIGIOUS LIFE
Throughout her life, Lady Ufudo was a very prayerful woman who always put God first and strived to live a religious life. According to her, she would have been a Catholic Reverend Sister if she had not met her husband Pius Ufudo. The depth of their love for one another clearly transcends this life. While her husband died on August 19th – a day after her birthday, she also died a day after his own birthday on February 3rd!
Lady Ufudo was a member of different organizations in the church in different parishes where she lived. Until her death, she was an active member of St Mulumba knighthood (LSM) Awka sub-council. She was also an active member of the CWO of St. Theresa’s Parish Ifite Nnobi and was appointed a Patroness of the Parish. Upon retiring from civil service, Lady Ufudo poured herself into serving God and dedicating herself to religious duties.
In 2004, she was appointed as CWO Organizer for Nnobi zone by His Grace Most Rev Dr. Val Okeke the Archbishop of Onitsha. As Organizer Nnobi zone, she took up the mandate that was mapped out by her predecessor Lady MN Anyichie, which was to sponsor the training of seminarians to become Priests. In furtherance of this pilot program, Lady Ufudo then became responsible for sponsoring the training of five (5) Reverend Fathers during her tenure. Not only did she champion the sponsorship of these 5 seminarians, but Lady Ufudo single-handedly also sponsored the training of two (2) additional seminarians through seminary school until they became Reverend Fathers. This feat, till today, has not been challenged by any other CWO organizer in Onitsha Archdiocese, Anambra State. As a CWO Organizer, she was very bold and outspoken and always shared her views without fear or favor. She was a very transparent woman who led an honest and upright regime. According to her peers, the arrival of Lady Ufudo at meetings was always welcomed with jovial hails of “Sub-Sub” by all members. By virtue of being a Lady of St Mulumba Awka sub-council, she would always report coming from sub-council meetings and that led to her nickname of “Sub-Sub”.
Lady Ufudo was conferred with the title of “Ambassador of Mary” by the National Body of Catholic Women Organization (NCCWO), and was a certificate holder of Nationwide Prayer Rally/Night Virgil for Nigeria, organized by NCCWO). She was a very active member of the Marian Movement of Priests, a member of the Life Member group, a Patroness of Block Rosary, and other religious bodies in the Catholic Church. She was a member of St. Cecilia Choir at the Parish, Zonal, Regional, and Archdiocesan levels, a membership that brought her so much joy and pride as she loved singing and showing off her “Tenor” tone of voice.
One of the remarkable highlights of Lady Ufudo’s life journey is her philanthropy. She had a big heart that would never look away whenever her path crossed with anyone in need. Lady Ufudo paid school fees for countless Nnobi children and helped out the less privileged both financially and through moral support. She was a mother and an anchor to all in Ifite Nnobi and beyond, and to all who sought her advice and help. In the words of her best friend and fellow Organizer Emerita – Lady Tina Ezekwem, “I remember on different occasions where she helped many people to pay school fees, hospital bills, to repair their houses or put food on their tables. Lady Carol Ufudo was a woman who in her lifetime aggressively pursued everything she knew that would promote the service of God”.
Lady Ufudo has indeed lived a life of grace just as she wanted. She will forever be missed by her family, friends, and community.
Adieu Mummy
Adieu Nwunye Onye Nkuzi
Adieu Young Umuagbala
Adieu Organizer
Adieu Mother General