Kamene Okonjo, mother of World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has died at the age of 96.
Reports indicate that she died on Friday, with the announcement attributed to a statement by the Umu Obi Obahai royal family of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Delta State.
Reacting to her mother’s death, Okonjo-Iweala took to her official X account on Sunday to express gratitude to friends and followers who sent messages of condolence and support to her family.
She described her mother as someone who lived a quality life until the end and expressed gratitude for the many years they shared together.
In her message, she wrote: “I just want to thank all my friends and followers and let you know how appreciative my entire family and I are of your support.”
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She added that her family was grateful to have had her mother for so long, concluding with a prayer for her soul to rest in perfect peace.
Kamene Okonjo was a professor of sociology and a prominent advocate for women’s rights. She was married to the late Chukwuka Okonjo, a professor of economics who served as the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.
She was also the mother of Obi Ifechukwude Anishi Okonjo II, the current traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, as well as Njideka Okonjo-Udochi, Onyema Okonjo and Chichi Okonjo.
Her passing marks the loss of a respected academic and women’s rights advocate whose family includes prominent figures in Nigeria’s public and traditional institutions.
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