By Emeka Amaefula
LATE GENERAL PHILIP EFFIONG BIAFRA DEPUTY HEAD’S WIFE JOSEPHINE BURIED IN AKWA IBOM STATE
The mixed race born wife of late Biafra Deputy Head of government Major General Philip Effiong was buried in Akwa Ibom state on Friday 12th of July, 2024.
The Ukwuani, Kwale Delta state born light complexioned Lady Josephine Philip Effiong was a very dutiful wife who lived her life at Port Harcourt and raised her children including Mrs. Philippa Effiong Umeh who also lives at Port Harcourt Rivers state Nigeria. Although she passed on at the age of 88 years her family members including those in diaspora were present at her star studded funeral which was held at Saint Vincent De Porre Catholic Church no.47 Umuahia Road Ikot Ikpene town in Akwa Ibom state Nigeria.
Late Lady Josephine Philip Effiong’s maternal connection by birth is Igbo tribe of Ukwuani side of Delta state as her parental linage has connection with Welsh aspect of United Kingdom being of Wales, UK. Her caring attitude earned her much respect in her neighbourhood at Port Harcourt where she lived for many years as she was addressed as Auntie Jo by her admirers.
Her late husband who hailed from Ibiono Ibom in Akwa Ibom state got her hand in marriage in 1956. Late Josephine was a mother of 7 children as she lost her first son in 2022. Late Major General Philip Effiong Akankang Ibiono Ibom lived from 18 November 1925 to 6th of November 200 when he died. Her was a Biafran Deputy Head of State later Head of state while Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was in self exile in January 1970. So, briefly Late Major General Philip Efiong was Biafra’s last Head of State before surrendering to Lt. General Yakubu Gowon at Dodan barracks Lagos to mark the end of the 3 years war that ended On January 1970.
One remarkable character of late Lady Josephine Philip Effiong was her staying back in Biafra with her husband when she had all the opportunities to return to Wales United Kingdom her birth place.
The celebration of life of Lady Josephine Philip Effiong was well attended by all and sundry especially those who connect her late husband Major General Philip Effiong with the Biafra Government from 1967 to 1970 were all in attendance, Especially her role of stabilizing with her family immediately after Civil war was reminisced by those living legend of the Biafra era.
As all her 7 children with 6 surviving and a sister all of who majority of them live abroad as one of her sons is a United states of America based Professor who is married to Mbaise Imo state born Mrs. Chinwe Effiong Jr, being an Igbo born successful academic in USA. Her amiable daughter Lady Philippa Effiong Umeh being the first daughter played a major role in getting the funeral ceremony kick started on very good note with her smart display of her late mother’s framed picture and how she attended to high profile dignitaries who graced the burial ceremony.
——————————Emeka Amaefula——+234(0)8111813069———–
