PROFILE
Mama Egbo as she is fondly called was born on 17th May, 1932 in Sapele, Delta State. Her formal education took off at the following schools: Our Lady of Apostles Primary School and Arinze Secondary Commercial School; all in Delta State.
For her professional training, she attended the training school of Sacred Heart Catholic Hospital, Abeokuta. She qualified as a Grade II and Grade I Midwife. Later in life, she took a blood banking course in Cambridge (1967 – 1968).
Her career experience saw her working as a Pupil Teacher, Midwife and Blood Banker.
Catholic Church of the Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, has always been her parish in Lagos. She was greatly involved in the CWO of her parish, and served as Secretary and President. At the Archdiocesan level, she served as Secretary, Coordinator and President. A great believer in team work, she ascribes successes recorded during her tenure as a result of teamwork.
J.Bulama: It is truly a great pleasure meeting the iconic Mama Egbo. (Smiles)
Please kindly state briefly what contributions you made towards the growth of the CWO in the capacities that you served. Do you consider your service delivery as having made impact on the organization?
H. E. Egbo : Being a member of the CWO in Lagos Archdiocese during its formative years, participation in regular and impromptu activities served as a great avenue for helping the growth of the Organisation. In addition, serving as Parish Secretary and President as well as Archdiocesan Secretary, Coordinator and President provided me with far reaching opportunities to advance the cause of CWO and its growth was ensured. What I consider as my two major contributions are in two areas.
1. During my tenure as Archdiocesan President, we created the CWO slogan (“Through Mary our Mother, we succeed.”). I followed it up to National level for adoption.
2. As President, at the Parish and at the Archdiocesan levels, CWO was made accessible to all women. The result was an increase in women participation in Church activities.
J.Bulama: What have you learned about human conditions from your years of service in the CWO?
H. E. Egbo : Let me share my observations on some challenges to Catholic women. First, there is the issue of Pentecostalism which provides an easy avenue of escape for women. This is possible because the members operate a system of mutual support. They do not have rules which tend to exclude some members from full participation.
Another issue is the unique nature of Lagos in carrying out religious activities. It is highly cosmopolitan. Time is of great essence and the traffic situation does not help matters. Above all, in Lagos, cultures merge.
J.Bulama: What were the difficult challenges you faced during your years of service in the CWO? How did you overcome the challenges?
H. E. Egbo: With the CWO members, I had good working relationships. As I told those who attended my 90TH Birthday Anniversary celebration: the women believed in me and followed me. I could not explain it. However, the issue of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers was real, trying to be a parallel group.
The stand of the Holy Father then, Pope St. John Paul II was clear: one group to represent and speak for all Nigerian Catholic women. The Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria(CWON) is that group. Pope John Paul II cherished the CWON, as indicated in his utterances and actions.
J.Bulama: Please give the names of three (3) important personalities during your active days in the CWO, who made significant contributions to the growth of the Organisation.
H. E. Egbo : A good number of women impressed me by their enthusiasm and hard work to ensure the growth of CWO. I like to mention Chief (Mrs.) V.V.I. Okoye, PM who worked tirelessly to get CWO established in Nigeria. She encouraged women in Lagos to uphold the CWO. She also gave CWON a good image at the Vatican. I equally remember the pioneering work of Mrs. A.U. Makinde of Ibadan Archdiocese. She was referred to as Mama CWO.
J.Bulama: You went into Politics in Nigeria; Can you briefly share your experience with us?
H. E. Egbo : Lessons learned by participating in politics cannot be quantified and cannot be learned elsewhere outside the political arena. Insincerity and unreliability carry the day. In politics, service is not fundamental to the key players. Aggrandizement is their aim. Power does not belong to a single person in politics. Anything can change. Only permanent personal interest persists.
J.Bulama: What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
H. E. Egbo: None.
J.Bulama: What advice do you have for Catholic Women, and women in leadership positions?
H. E. Egbo: I advise Catholic women, especially those in leadership position, to periodically circulate write ups that will encourage women to remain in the Catholic Church.They should also avoid night meetings.
My advice for Catholic women or other women who want to go into active politics. It is not the fear of immortality that would confront such women, but the threat of being edged out. Such a woman must not mortgage her conscience. Even if politics is the only option available to her, she should still withdraw.
Women should also realize that the geographical area to which they belong matters greatly. Some areas in Nigeria are more receptive to women appearance in politics. Women should be persistent and dogged.
J. Bulama: Thank you immensely for your time. Remain blessed now and always, Ma.