*Died of Leukemia (Cancer of the Blood) after medical treatment at a Specialist London Hospital
*Battled to stay alive and conquered death in victory, join Saints of God in Heaven
*Studied English & French Education at UNIBEN, had Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, appointed Academic Planning Officer to the Vice Chancellor’s Office, obtained Doctorate degree in Educational Administration, produced five Ph.D.’s and 15 Master’s Degree students
*Burial ceremony had friends, family from the United Kingdom, United States, Europe and Nigeria converged in Akure, Ondo State on Friday, May 22nd, 2026
*Survived by children: Dr Bennedict Imonitie, Barrister Lauretta Ofure, Dr Joseph Osagie & wife; brothers/sisters: Chief Marine Engineer Lucky Otumu & wife, Mrs. Hannah Oyebanjo (famous public relations/advertising expert) & hubby, Janet Esther & hubby, Roseline Otumu, Dr George Elijah Otumu (multiple award-winning international journalist) & wife; Amos Otumu (a Nurse practitioner) and wife
*BY FAVOUR BOLUWATIFE PHILIP/SOUTH WEST CORRESPONDENT, NIGERIA/Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA
It drizzled. It showered. Then, Heaven poured out torrents of water on the earth in the form of ‘rain’ same day, Friday, May 22nd, 2026, of the burial of an academic, a Varsity don, a Professor of Education; a scholar and longest Dean of Education at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State. At 67 years, when, Professor Helen Ojomo Efoghe (Nee Otumu), a born-again child of God joined other Saints of Heaven, the peaceful serene, calm atmosphere and sudden appearance of rain confirmed the presence of Heavenly Angels at the scene which allude to the fact that she only ‘slept in the Lord’, and would no longer experience any pain, discomfort and sickness since she was now wearing an immortal body in God’s presence.
She was strong-willed. She fought and battled Leukemia (Cancer of the Blood) after medical treatment at a Specialist London Hospital to a standstill. She eventually conquered Leukemia and death in victory after she transited to glory and put on an Angelic look to join other Saints of God in Heaven. She was a fervent prayerful personality who cherished God Almighty, always studied her Holy Bible daily and love the Lord with the whole of her spirit, soul and body.
Leukemia, for the record originates in the blood-forming tissues, usually the bone marrow, causing the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells.
Professor Helen studied English & French Education at the University of Benin, UNIBEN, had Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, appointed Academic Planning Officer to the Vice Chancellor’s Office, obtained Doctorate degree in Educational Administration, produced five Ph.D.’s and 15 Master’s Degree students.
Tolex Event Centre, Akure, Ondo played hosts to captains of industries, top VIPs at the ceremony. The Order of Service had Opening prayers, Praise & Worship, Hymn ‘It Is well with my soul’, Bible reading, Ministration; Special prayer for the family of the deceased, Announcement, Second Hymn ‘Hark, Hark, My Soul’, Vote of Thanks; Closing prayer, Benediction and Biography.
Eulogy in the form of tributes came handy from the children, brothers and sisters of the Varsity don.
Dr Benedict Imonitie, a medical doctor in Ondo State, the first son said in the following words: “My mother was more than a parent to me-she was my bedrock, my confidant, and my friend. In her presence, there was always steadiness. In her words, there was always wisdom. And in her love, there was always a quiet, unwavering strength that carried me through life. An erudite scholar, she valued knowledge not as an ornament, but as a tool for growth and service. Her intellect was matched only by her humility.”
For Barrister Lauretta Ofure, the daughter, “My mother was my safe place-my refuge in a world that could sometimes feel uncertain. She was my rock, my guide and my constant source of wisdom. In her counsel, even when it came with scrutiny, there was always love. And in that love, I always felt safe. She was a woman of many strengths-a scholar, a devoted mother, and a committed wife. Beyond these titles, she was deeply humane. She saw people, truly saw them, and responded with kindness, compassion and generosity always.”
Dr Joseph Osagie, the last born (baby of the house, Specialist medical consultant in the United Kingdom), had these following words to say about Professor Helen: “We gather not only to mourn Mummy, but to celebrate a life that was rich in meaning, strength and quiet impact. Mummy was a woman of deep values. She believed that who you are matters far more than what you have. She instilled in us a strong sense of culture-one deeply rooted in respect and humility.”
Osagie’s wife, Stephanie put her summation this way from the Queen’s Enclave: “Mummy, as I always called you, you were never just my mother-in-law, you were my mother. And I was your ‘last born’. Just as you always said. Your love was priceless. I don’t remember the day I even questioned how much you loved me, but the truth is, I never had to work for your love. You gave love so freely, so naturally. It followed you everywhere you went.”
Amos & Ann Otumu (last born of Professor Helen’s biological family, a Nurse practitioner & wife in Canada) had this to say, “Dearest sister, it’s hard for us to say goodbye. I remember the role you and your husband played when we lost our dad. I remember the support you gave me when I brought my then fiancé now my wife to you in Uromi. You provided motherly guidance and support. May the Light shine perpetually on you and the children you left behind.”
For Hannah Oyebanjo (Nee Otumu, younger sister of Professor Helen, a renowned Public Relations/Advertising guru), she explained: “It is with a deep sense of loss that I write this in honour of our departed Sister, Professor Helen Ojomo Efoghe (Nee Otumu). Sister Helen was a caring big sister, yet a disciplinarian, a joy and funny, jolly playful personality to be with. My professional role model, with immeasurable support to my early days’ education. A light and a pride to the community, a compassionate mother, a doggedly spirited wife, and a brilliant scholar.”
Corroborating these views above, the second to the last born in the Otumu’s family, a multiple, award-wining international journalist in Texas, United States, Dr. George Elijah Otumu said these: “Words alone cannot fully describe the vacuum you personally fill in my life. I still can’t come to terms that you have gone as a Saint to be with the Angels of God in Heaven. You personally stood by me, encouraged me when I stayed with you during those years of undergraduate days at the then Edo State University (now Ambrose Ali University), Ekpoma, Edo State. If I begin to put pen to paper on the endless lists of your personal impact on me, especially, constant carefulness and awareness of my environment; the ink of write up may not dry anytime soon….”
For Chief Marine Engineer Lucky Eromosele Otumu (the Father figure in the Otumu’s family, first son and younger blood brother of Professor Helen), he wrote in brevity: “My darling Sister, your sudden departure had plunged us all the Otumu’s into a period of humongous mourning. Sadly, how on earth can we fathom it that, at your tender age, you suddenly departed! How can I come to the realization that you are no more? You were the Genius of G.S. Otumu, the proud daughter of Mrs. J. Otumu, and Ugboha’s First Professor, an illustrious daughter and academic giant of the soil. Death can never kill your good name and legacies. My sweetheart. Dearie, please keep soaring on the Angels’ wings perfectly, eternally and peacefully.”
Mrs. Janet ‘Mummy Jay Jay’ Onotu (Nee Otumu, immediate younger sister after Professor Helen, now Mother figure in the Otumu’s family), she dug deep into the intimacy they both shared while growing up, “I stand before you not just to mourn, but to honour my sister-Professor Helen Efoghe-my immediate sibling, my companion through life, and a woman whose mind and spirit were inseparable from the pursuit of knowledge. From as early as I can remember, Helen made a quiet but unwavering vow; she would read to the peak of learning. And she did not treat that vow lightly. Books were not just objects to her, they were pathways, companions, and instruments of purpose. If there was a sure way to offend her, it was to suggest she should set her books aside. To Helen, that would be like asking her to abandon a part of herself.”
Pastor James Onotu, ‘Mummy Jay Jay’s Husband & Senior Lecturer, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, UNAAB, he added his voice by stating: “I write these words with a heavy heart, yet with deep gratitude for the life of Professor Helen Efoghe- a woman I was privileged to know not just as family, but as a person of rare spiritual depth. Helen, to me, was first and foremost a lover of God. Her faith was not something she wore on the surface; it was the foundation upon which she built her life. You could see it in her decisions. It was the foundation upon which she built her life.”
For the beautiful woman, Roseline Otumu (Immediate younger sister to Mummy Jay Jay, an educator), she said: “My dearest Sister Helen, it is still difficult to accept that I am standing here to speak about you in the past tense. To me, you will always be present-your voice, your laughter, your firm but loving corrections, and your unwavering commitment to what you believe was right. Your love for education went far beyond yourself. You were deeply committed to uplifting others through knowledge.”
Dr. (Mrs.) Ijeoma Otumu, Chief Engineer Lucky’s wife, a medical doctor, she wrote in the following glowing terms: “My dear Big sister-in-law, the matriarch of the Otumu family, I remember the first time we met. My husband and I were summoned to your house in Uromi for Inspection of the young lady that captured your younger brother’s heart.
“You were welcoming and full of life. I immediately felt an encompassing warmth which over subsequent years became a signature of your presence in your younger siblings’ households. I’ll really miss this. You were a force to be reckoned within the Otumu family and Academics. Your passing is a huge loss to everyone”.
In the words of Mrs. Juliet Akuche, Stephanie’s mother (Osagie’s wife mum), she added on her relationship with the Scholar: “Professor Helen Efoghe, you were more than an in-law to me, you were more like a sister to me. You became my friend, my confidant, and my gist partner. We shared countless conversations about life, family, dreams and everyday moments.”
The high point of the ceremony was when the remains of Professor Helen was interred into the ‘mother-earth’ in dust-to-dust farewell by the children, family members, and Chief Engineer Lucky Otumu wept unconsolably after he touched the casket of the Academic giant.
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