Registrar of Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers State Ulonna Inyama has been buried in her hometown of Itu, Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State.
Ms Inyama died on July 27, 2024, in Abuja following a brief illness. She was 41 years old.
The burial on Friday, conducted according to Catholic rites, drew a large crowd of family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers.
At the funeral, her sister Ugonne Uzoma, a senior staff member of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), paid an emotional tribute to her. She described her as a mentor, confidant and embodiment of kindness.
Uzoma said, “This loss has shattered me, and my grief is palpable; she was a definition of class and excellence who supported and loved us all, unconditionally. I look forward to the resurrection morning when I shall see my big sister again.”
The deceased’s mother Scholastica Inyama also shared her memories, portraying her late daughter as exceptionally kind and humble despite her brilliance. She prayed for God’s grace to help the family endure the profound loss.
Inyama, a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, earned first class honours in 2004. She began her professional journey at the National Universities Commission (NUC) as a quality assurance officer and rose to the position of executive assistant to the executive secretary. During her time at NUC, she played a key role in several landmark projects, policies and committees.
In 2022, Inyama took a leave of absence to assume the role of registrar at Wigwe University where she also served as secretary to the governing council.
Her tenure was cut short by her death reportedly due to complications from a blood transfusion.
Her later father Professor Nnadozie Inyama was a literary scholar at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Meanwhile, founder of Wigwe University Herbert Wigwe died alongside his wife Chizoba and first son Chizi in a helicopter crash in Southern California on February 9.
