By Ibrahim Bakare
HELENA SALIHU KEKERE: A MOTHER, TEACHER, AND FAMILY PILLAR LAID TO REST IN GRAND STYLE
The late Mrs. Helena Salihu Kekere, popularly known as Helen Salihu or Mama Overall, has been laid to rest in a dignified ceremony held at the Gospel Missionary Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt. She passed away in 2026 at the age of 78.
The solemn burial service celebrated the life of a woman described by family members and loved ones as a devoted mother, teacher, businesswoman, and a strong pillar whose impact extended across generations.
Born on April 23, 1948, Helena was the third of 14 children of the late Mr. and Mrs. Elugwu Ihekaire of Obuoku, Umueze village, Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. At an early age, she travelled to live with her uncle, Dagwa, who worked with the Nigerian Railway Corporation in Agatu, Idoma, Benue State. It was there that she completed her primary school education before the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War.
She later married the late Salihu Kekere Audu from Kuroko in present-day Kogi State, formerly part of the old Kwara State. The couple settled in Rivers State, where they established their home and raised their children. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, 24 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Throughout her lifetime, Mama Helena was remembered as the first teacher in her family. She taught her children and grandchildren the values of discipline, hard work, honesty, and integrity. Beyond academics, she personally guided them in the basics of reading, writing, and mathematics, with a special passion for teaching long division.
A woman of remarkable communication ability, she was fluent in English, Igbo, Idoma, and Egbira. Her multilingual skills enabled her to connect with people from different backgrounds and strengthened the relationships she built through her business and community interactions.
Mama Helena was also a hardworking entrepreneur who traded in foodstuffs, fish, wood, Ugba and Aki, yam, Eptli, and corn. She was a supportive wife during her husband’s lifetime and remained a dependable source of encouragement to her children, siblings, and extended family.
Her generosity and compassion became defining parts of her identity. Even in old age, she continued to care for those around her. She played a significant role in the lives of her grandchildren, including Happiness, her first granddaughter, Goodness, Harmony, and Omesia. She also extended her love and care to Enew and Oyita at the family residence at 35 Adekola Street, Mile 2 Diobu, Port Harcourt. Her home was known as a place of warmth, acceptance, and kindness.
A committed Pentecostal Christian, Mama Helena lived by strong spiritual convictions. She often quoted the scriptures, saying: “Leave what is written on the motor and enter the motor,” and “Whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” She was also known for her deep faith and spiritual sensitivity, using her experiences and prayers to encourage, guide, and intercede for family members and those around her.
The burial ceremony at the Gospel Missionary Church featured a solemn order of service, including lying in state, the bringing out of the casket, opening prayers, hymns from SS&S 798 and 298, Bible readings from John 5:28-29 and 1 Corinthians, praise and worship sessions, the reading of her biography by her first granddaughter, and a sermon titled “Another Life After This Life,” based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians.
The programme also included tributes, condolences, prayers for the bereaved family, interment, and closing prayers.
The service was officiated by Rev. E.C. Joshua, Pastor Imoh Boniface, Pastor Vitalis of the Gospel Missionary Church, and Pastor and Mrs. Melicia Garrick of Resurrection Ministry, Eagle Island.
Helena Salihu Kekere lived a fulfilled life marked by sacrifice, love, service, and unwavering commitment to family. She was disciplined yet compassionate, firm yet generous, and strong in character while remaining deeply caring.
Her legacy lives on through the values she taught, the lives she touched, and the prayers she offered for generations after her. Though she has departed, the seeds of love, faith, and wisdom she planted will continue to bear fruit in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and generations to come.
She is survived by her seven children, 24 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, and numerous relatives and well-wishers. She was preceded in death by her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Elugwu Ihekaire, and her beloved husband, the late Salihu Kekere Audu.
