Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, has held a service of songs in honour of Mrs. Cynthia Eberechukwu Azogu, a staff member who died on August 19, 2026, while still in active service.
The ceremony brought together the Polytechnic’s management, staff members, friends and other members of the community to mourn her death and celebrate her life.
Mrs. Azogu worked in different units of the Polytechnic, including the Senior Staff Personnel (SSP) and Library Units. Before her death, she was an Administrative Officer in the Department of Cooperative Economics and Management.
Her colleagues described her as a calm, kind and dependable person who took her duties seriously and remained committed to her work.
Fondly called “Madam Ebere,” she was also remembered for being punctual, peaceful and friendly to her colleagues, even when work was difficult.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Head of Department, Dr. Lovinah, described Mrs. Azogu as a reliable staff member who played an important role in the department.
She said Mrs. Azogu often handled departmental duties, especially when she was away on official assignments. According to her, the department would greatly miss the late staff member.
The Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Engr. Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu, who attended the ceremony with members of the management team, expressed sadness over her death.
“This is one of the addresses I would not want to make at this time. But we will not question God’s decision. She did not just die in active service; she died while rendering her service,” the Rector said.
He described Mrs. Azogu as a hardworking and dedicated staff member who carried out her duties with seriousness, punctuality and a strong sense of responsibility.
According to him, she did more than simply occupy an official position. She gave her time, energy and abilities to her work and contributed to the development of the Polytechnic.
Quoting Ecclesiastes 7:2 in the Bible, the Rector urged the staff and the bereaved family to reflect on the life of the deceased and the lessons her death offered.
“It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart,” he quoted.
Speaking on behalf of the management, the Rector also expressed the Polytechnic’s willingness to support the bereaved family.
He appealed to the institution to consider one of Mrs. Azogu’s children, who had graduated from a higher institution, for possible employment at the Polytechnic. He described the request as a way of maintaining the family’s connection with the institution where their mother worked until her death.
The ceremony was attended by her colleagues, members of the Polytechnic community and other sympathisers, who gathered to pay their last respects and remember her contributions to the institution.
Mrs. Azogu’s death is a great loss to the Polytechnic. She will be remembered for her dedication to duty, discipline, professionalism and good relationships with her colleagues.
