TERESA NMA ONITIRI

I am usually good with words but they fail me now. Mama, it’s almost impossible to envisage a world without you in it. You have been a constant in my life, the years spent with you in Lagos are some of my oldest and dearest memories. Even though it was almost 15 years since I last saw you in person I never felt any less loved and cherished by you. You were and remain larger than life mama, your passion and zeal and indomitable will still inspire me and I feel incredibly blessed to have known and been loved by you. Heaven promises even greater rewards for it means a place to be with you again. Rest in peace mama. With all my love your Itee Noble (and family)

Adieu Mama Rere, Abiamo toto. May her lovely soul rest peacefully eternally. Ehin won a dara. Eyin omo rere ti gbehin won, awon omo rere a gbehin eyin na. Odun a jina sira o loruko Jesu, Amin. E ku ipalemo o, Olorun a ba yin palemo. Ayeye isinku na, a ye yin, a ye oju ogo Olorun. From Solomon Amusu

Tribute to a wonderful woman of substance, dearest Mama Onitiri. What a blessing to know such a loving and caring daughter of the most High God. I am eternally grateful for your earnest prayers for me and my family. What a beautiful soul you were inside and out with outstanding unique qualities. I learned so much from you on how to be resourceful, relevant and to make every moment count. You will never know the positive impact you made in my life. Your lasting legacy lives. Thank you for taking me as one of your own children. You showed me and my family so much love and generosity. Every moment with you was full of laughter and words of wisdom. My family and I miss you so much mama. Continue to rest in perfect peace. Adieu mama!

My dear grandmother, my mama. As I write, your beautiful voice, the one that called me Lady K, keeps replaying in my head. The news of your passing broke my heart, and I missed you immediately. But I'm truly thankful I got to spend the last moments of your life with you. Isn't life circuitous? Whenever I checked up on you in your room, you would be seated on your bed, the expression on your face like one in deep thought. I would ask if you were okay and you'd say you were fine; you were just reminiscing and you were very grateful for living this long. I have so many memories with you in Satellite town; from spending school holidays to frequent Sunday visits, but the memories I cherish the most are the last few months I spent with you before coming to Law school. We bonded like we never did in those moments. You showered me with so much love and care. You made me laugh at least 10 times a day. I watched you wake up everyday at 6am to listen to Rev. Sam Oye, observe midnight prayers and fast. You always ensured I was fine, and I had eaten even when you hadn't. I found out that you were incredible intuitive; it stunned me everytime you proved that even though you didn't see, you always saw. You never failed to show your support towards me, spiritually and financially and above all, you lived a life of gratitude worth emulating. Your memories will forever be in my heart, my dear grandma. I love you. From your pounds sterling babe, Lady K. Temitope (Kenny) Onitiri

My Mama Onitiri, You were the best Grandma any child could ask for. You fondly called me "my lady lady" since I was a baby even till your final days.. You taught us how to pray from early childhood. You took us for all your prayer meetings as well, in your pursuit of God.. Indeed you examplified "I and my household must serve the Lord". you were indeed a woman after God's heart. I still can't believe this is goodbye Mama, I am so happy I got to see for the Last time and taking Judah your great grandson, to meet you for the first time.. Rest in peace Mama, you will always remain precious in my heart. I love you always.. Your lady Osarugue

Tribute To My Beloved Cousin Da Teresa Onitiri, as we fondly called her, was my eldest cousin who was well respected by all in our family. Her mother was my father’s immediate older sister. My early childhood experience of her was when she used to visit our home in Port Harcourt before she moved with her husband to Lagos. That was years before the civil war. She was a very caring big cousin who visited us with gifts for everyone. Upon graduation from the secondary school after the civil war, I travelled to Lagos in search of a job. Though I stayed at my sister’s home, but Da Teresa usually invited me over to their family home in Surulere. I benefitted immensely from her wise counsel during those visits. She encouraged me to always remember home and help our relatives in need of assistance in the village. She demonstrated that by building a beautiful home for her mother in our home town and sent one of her sons to live with her mother. She also provided assistance to indigent extended families. She was a philanthropist. The last time I saw Da Teresa was at the New York JFK airport when I was delegated to meet and assist her with the hassles of baggage handling and check-ins as she was travelling back to Nigeria. It was a great reunion. Later, I had the opportunities of talking to her on the phone. Her voice was strong and her mind very sharp. We were really shocked when we received the phone call that she had passed on to glory. Since we cannot question God for the loss, we pray that her soul shall have eternal rest with the Lord. Amen. Nze Sir Princewill Chukwudi Oti Nwosu Cousin Resident in New York

Mama Onitiri was a remarkable woman, a daughter of Zion and a beautiful soul in and out. Her sense of humour was topnotch. Mama had slangs for everything and nicknames for people. Mama affected lots of lives positively both her children and adopted children. Mama was a strong , loving , compassionate and generous woman. She loved and served God with all her heart . Mama was first a sister to me before a mother in law. They say when the elderly die a library is lost and volumes of wisdom and knowledge is gone . Mama was one of a kind that no one is fit to work in her shoes . Mama you will forever be in our hearts. Ada opia Egbe Laa nu udo

My beautiful grandmother! You loved life and your generosity was witnessed by all who knew you. I will always remember fondly how you insisted on trying to teach me Igbo over the years even though nothing ever stuck. Thank you for all the love and prayers you showered on me and all your grandchildren, you will truly be missed. But even in our grief, we do not mourn as those with no hope, since we know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Rest well, Mama Onitiri.