After the death of her husband 24 years ago, the wife of the erstwhile Cross River State Governor, Chief (Dr.) Clement Nyong Isong, has joined the departed at the celestial home.
Dr. Isong from Ikot Osong in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State dd on May 29, 2000, though the date Nne died is not mentioned yet.
Her death came weeks after the burial of Pastor Patience, wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.
In her message in Radar WhatsApp on December 11, Regina Williams, popular Nigeria’s Nollywood actress wrote ‘‘Please join our family in prayer as we lift up a great woman who has run her race and has returned to her maker. May angels welcome her home and may God himself comfort all of us who will miss her so.
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‘‘Mma Nne Isong was once the First Lady of Cross River State as wife to the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and former governor of CRS – His Excellency Dr Clement Isong (his face is still on the Naira). Good night Aunty Eka Koko, rest in perfect peace.
(My younger Sister, Itoro is married to Koko, Clement Isong Jnr).’’
Similarly, Dr Aniekeme Aniefiok Uwah, under the headline:
A GOOD WOMAN DEPARTS, wrote ‘‘Obonganwan Nne Isong was an epitome of womanhood who during her remarkable sojourn on earth was very kind, caring and spared nothing to ensure everyone around her felt her warmth, love and hospitality.
‘‘My father, Obong Aniefiok Uwah of blessed memory was a very close confidant to the Clement Isong’s family until we lost him in 2019.
‘‘My father served as the Chief Protocol Officer to His Excellency, Chief Dr Clement Nyong Isong from 1979 to 1983 and during the period, my siblings and I had had the rare privilege of having very close interactions with the first family.
‘‘I recall vividly well how Obonganwan Nne Isong treated us as her own children especially during the various children’s parties we attended at the Government House grounds, Cross River State where she ensured we were well catered for.
‘‘Also, when we lost our dear father in July 2019, Obonganwan Nne Isong was one of the early callers to mourn and condole with us. I can go on and on.
‘‘We have lost a good woman. I pray God grants her gentle soul eternal repose in His bosom and may He grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Amen,’’ Uwah added.
Her background
Married to Dr. Clement Isong, also the former Governor of the erstwhile Cross River State, in 1958, she was proprietress NESON Group of schools, Uyo.
She taught at Etinan Institute in the then Eastern Region and undertook advanced educational studies in Nutritional Biochemistry.
Obonganwan Nne had worked as Research Manager at UAC Nigeria from 1970-1980 and in the Cross River/Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education.
The First Lady was Director-General Ministry of Education, and Commerce, Industry and Tourism and retired as Director-General (Permanent Secretary) in 1996.
In 1980, she initiated the Esop Ufon Iban in Cross River State that helped the development of women and children in the state and became a forerunner of Maryam Babangida’s Better Life Programme.
As an Educationist, Mrs. Isong was nominated as one of the five-member committee which developed the Primary School Management Board.
She served as a Council Member of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), and on the International Governing Council of WAEC for eight years.
Nne was elected to the International Educators Hall of Fame as the Niger Delta honouree in 2000.
In recognition of her contribution to the development of education and women in Nigeria, she was conferred with a National Award in the category of Member of the Order of the Niger, MON in 2008.
The National Council of Women’s Societies in Nigeria, also honoured her with an Excellence Award in 2008.
She was the Vice Chairman of The Clement Isong Foundation (TCIF) established in 2006 to immortalise the name, virtues and legacies of her husband, Chief (Dr.) Isong.
