EUDORA ERENENGI EGBUNIWE

Lady Eudora Erenengia Egbuniwe (née Wariso) of Opobo Kingdom, Rivers State, was born 19 July 1943 in Aba, present day Abia State, Nigeria. She was the second daughter of late Alagbo (Chief) Abraham Benjamin Wariso of Opobo and Mrs. Angelina Ibinyefagha Wariso (née Erougo) of Umuahia. She spent a good portion of her early childhood living with her grandmother and siblings by the waterside.

 Lady Eudora completed her secondary education at Union Secondary School Ibiaku, Akwa Ibom, in 1961 where she was a diligent student. After passing her WAEC school certificate examination, she gained admission to the School of Nursing, University College Hospital, Ibadan, to further her education in professional nursing. At UCH she pursued a three- and one-half-year course in nursing entailing more than 700 hours of classroom instruction and tutorials, and months of direct clinical experience. In addition to excelling in her nursing studies, Lady Eudora found time to express her fun-loving nature and love of dance as an active member of The Dancing Club at University of Ibadan. She also competed with the school net ball team and reportedly was a strong defensive player who struck fear in the hearts of opposing teams. Lady Eudora graduated the School of Nursing and was certificated by The Nursing Council for the Republic of Nigeria with the title of “Registered Nurse” in July 1965. 

 Very soon thereafter, Lady Eudora travelled to the United Kingdom. In the U.K., she obtained her registration with The General Nursing Council for England and Wales, again as a “Registered Nurse,” by November 1965 and was gainfully employed as a nurse. She had a special devotion and talent for newborns and their nursing mothers, so she pursued further clinical instruction to gain admission to the Roll of Midwives and be authorized to practice as a certified midwife. As to be expected of such a diligent student, Lady Eudora passed all of the necessary examinations and earned certification and entitlement to practice as a midwife by the end of September 1967. She was employed as a certified nurse-midwife at Brentwood District Maternity Hospital, Brentwood, Essex, a National Health Service hospital. 

 While in the U.K., she met and married her beloved husband, late Sir George I. Egbuniwe, a young law student from Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. They were married 6 September 1968 in Lewisham, London with the union witnessed by cherished family friends C.C. Emodi and J.B. Wariso. The young couple immediately grew their family adding a son, Chude, and a daughter, Nneka, while Sir George completed his law degree at the University of London. In mid-1972 the family moved to Dallas, Texas, United States of America, to pursue further education and employment opportunities. After settling in the U.S., Lady Eudora passed her nursing board examinations with flying colors and obtained her nursing license as a “Registered Nurse” conferred by the Board of Nurse Examiners of the State of Texas in September 1973. Soon thereafter, the family was blessed to welcome their last-born son, Chike. Although the State of Texas did not recognize or license certified nurse-midwives at the time, Lady Eudora sought and was employed as a registered nurse serving in the specialties of obstetrics, gynecology, neonatal intensive care, and newborn nursery nursing. She was employed at a number of hospitals around Dallas, Texas, including Wadley Institutes of Molecular Medicine (Wadley Blood Bank and Morton Cancer & Research Hospital), St. Paul Hospital, and Medical City Dallas. Lady Eudora enjoyed a more than 40-year career as a registered nurse in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States; was awarded numerous nursing service accolades; and attained several nursing leadership roles before her retirement in 2007.

 Lady Eudora had a heart of gold and a natural nurturing spirit. She was a genuine, gentle person who cared for everyone who crossed her path. She did not hesitate to correct her children, friends, and colleagues; she was astutely observant and would dispense very frank advice when necessary – whether you liked it or not – but in such a calm and soothing manner and with quiet humor that one could never be offended. She had no argument with anyone and was truly a loving servant of others, especially young mothers, and their children. 

 Lady Eudora welcomed one and all to her home and heart. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, elder sister, confidante, and trusted friend to many. She loved to share her cooking with others, not only traditional Nigerian dishes which she excelled at cooking, but also English and American recipes she learned from colleagues and friends. She loved to bake and make desserts. No visitor left empty-handed without some of her famous banana nut bread, pineapple upside down cake, or a sampling of the most delectable 7-UP and “Sock It To Me” cakes. She gifted everyone with cosmetics, soaps, and perfumes from her Avon sales business. She made sure new babies were resplendent with baby clothes, bottles, formula, diapers, and wipes, and their mothers enjoyed her own special brand of “omugwo” here in “the Abroad.” She always ensured her children, Godchildren, and their friends were well fed with packets of baked goods or care packages of favorite Nigerian soups and stews as they travelled back to school and work. She was a fan of daytime soap operas, specifically “General Hospital” and “All My Children,” as well as game shows such as “The Price is Right.” True to her loving spirit, she would always cheer for the elderly or underdog contestants and genuinely celebrate when they won. 

 One of her proudest accomplishments rested in her children—an immense source of her pride and happiness. Lady Eudora poured her heart into their upbringing and education, nurturing them with the same dedication that marked her nursing career. It was through her guidance and love that they grew into remarkable individuals, embodying the values she held dear, and stand now as her lasting legacy.

 Lady Eudora was predeceased by her parents, late Alagbo (Chief) Abraham Benjamin Wariso and Mrs. Angelina Ibinyefagha Wariso (née Erougo), her beloved husband, late Sir George I. Egbuniwe, and her brother, late Dr Benjamin Adagogo Abraham Wariso. She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Mr. Chude Egbuniwe, Atty Nneka Chinwe Egbuniwe (Akunne Nnamdi Akpom), Atty Chike Egbuniwe (Atty Mrs. Tricia Horatio), Master Dequan, Miss Nequa, Miss Nwamaka Akpom, Miss Nkeiru Akpom; and her siblings: Mrs. Stella Wariso-Osunde, Dame Alabota Rosabel Rawlinson George Cookey-Gam, Christ Ambassador (King) God’swill A. Wariso, and Alabota Amelia Justus Uranta (née Wariso a.k.a. “Amy Papa”); and numerous in-laws, cousins, nephews, nieces, godchildren, other family members and friends both here and abroad.

 Lady Eudora Erenengia Wariso Egbuniwe, may your soul rest in perfect peace.