IN MEMORY OF:
Honoring Sister Lucy's Legacy
Sister Lucy James Oguanobi (LJO) is the first child of late Mr. James Oguanobi and Late Mrs Laura Oguanobi. She was born in May 1918 and died on February 25 2022. She became a Reverend Sister in Ihiala. She was in the order of Immaculate Heart of Mary Uruala in the Catholic Church. She had a formal education in the convent and became a trained and a licensed Nurse Midwife. She became the first Nurse Midwife in Ihiala after training at Emekauku Hospital, Imo State. She was the second woman in Ihiala to receive a formal education.
She opened and headed many Schools of Nursing for the Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary Uruala, Imo State. She had a distinguished career in maternal and child health in various communities, towns and villages in Imo and Anambra States.
Around 1950, she became very sick, unconscious and near death when the order of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Uruala miraculously released her unconscious body to her family after proper approval from the Catholic church. She slowly but fully recovered under her family’s care.
That was the beginning of sister Lucy James Oguanobi’s second apostolic work. She truly became the ‘Silent Apostolate’ as she was fondly called. She opened the first maternity home (clinic) in the Ihiala Local Government Area called Martin De Porres Maternity Home around 1952. Martin De Porres Maternity Home became extremely successful and a popular health care facility, especially for women and children’s health. Those who could not afford to pay were taken care of at no charge.
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A Lasting Influence on Future Generations
She was a successful health educator and practitioner. Sister Lucy James Oguanobi was the first woman nurse midwife to work and establish a maternity in Orlu and its surrounding towns. She married Late Mr. Christopher N. Nnadi in 1954.
She was a devoted Catholic who dedicated her entire life to God, Humanity and service to others. Over the years, Sister LJO, helped many families, too numerous to mention, and saved many lives of women and children. She was a philanthropist and was always willing to help others. She became a genuine champion for education and healthcare, a fierce protector and defender of the poor and a voice for the voiceless. Despite her incredible success and fame, she was absolutely selfless, very humble, extremely generous, kind, compassionate, very honest, and full of integrity, dignity and grace. She was very brave, fearless and outspoken. She defended the poor, the oppressed, battered women and fought for truth and justice.
Sister Lucy James Oguanobi, understood very early, the importance of education and financial independence for all, especially for women. She encouraged and challenged people to reach their highest potential. She fiercely promoted education and healthcare. It is not surprising that her children, all girls are very well educated.
She reminded us that God is an essential and pivotal part of living a successful life. Sister Lucy James Oguanobi radiated love. She had a strong aura of love , blessings and God’s peace around her. She unconditionally loved God and God loved her back and truly blessed her with good health, 104 years of life very well lived as a role model with respect, grace and dignity. For all these reasons, LJO Schools are named after her, a perfect role model.
