Biography

Francisca Itumiruke Susanah Iriri (nee Ogilo) was born on the 19th of August 1947 to the families of Chief Johnson Bernard Eseoluwalele & Mrs. Umutor Elizabeth Okodu, both of Arhavwarien village in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. She was the last of four offspring, but also shared paternity with twenty other siblings in a harmonious polygamous household.

Francisca Itumiruke Susanah Iriri began her early school education by attending St Andrew's primary school in Warri. Upon graduation, she progressed to St Peter's modern Secondary school Warri, where she obtained her senior school leavers certificate. After successfully completing a teaching program at the Grade "3" Teachers Training College, Lagos, she proceeded to pursue a teaching career that spanned 35 years. She began her teaching career at Alakoto primary school, Ajegunle, where she was employed as a class teacher, and later promoted to the position of head teacher. Subsequently, she transferred to Local Authority Primary School in KiriKiri Town, before finally relocating to Festac town, where she taught at the 4th Avenue primary school "10" (now known as 512 primary school, Festac Town, Lagos until her retirement.

Francisca Itumiruke Susanah Iriri was until her demise, the wife of late Idiemo of Okpe Kingdom, Okakuro Smart Oboratavwe Oyibo Iriri of Amuideimo Community in Okpe local government area of Delta state. She bore ten biological children, eight with him, and two from a previous relationship. She was until her death, a very resourceful & industrious woman, whose commitment to excellence made her an invaluable asset in not just the management of, but more importantly the development of her late husbands' Estate. Projects accredited to this resourcefulness include; Idiemo House in Effurun, Chief Iriri Crescent in Airport road, Savannah Bank building in Delta state and two properties in Alaba and Okoko both located in Lagos state. She was also a women leader of the Festac Town Resident Association (FTRA) and prior to holding this position was actively engaged as the auditor of the association.

She was a very selfless person, whose kind and accommodating nature earned her the love and respect of not only her paternal sibling and relatives, but also relatives by marriage, who until her death held her in the highest of esteems and have favourably likened her to a mother figure in their lives. She was raised in the modest doctrines of the Anglican Church, but later found her true path in God's words when she joined the Christ Embassy Church. Her devotion to service in Christ Embassy was so strong that she was made leader of "Fruitful Vine cell" a group tasked with evangelism work, prayer sessions and general church-keeping activities. She was also until her death a venue manager of the Church branch in Festac Town.

Today we celebrate the life of a selfless woman whose accommodating heart and open door policy has made her a mother to many here in Nigeria and in the diaspora. Our tears are replaced with the assurance that she rest in the bosom of her maker, singing her favorite hymns with the angels. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, in-laws as well as a host of loving family and friends.

Adieu Sweet mother!!!!