An Evening of Tributes was held on Monday, February 1 in Abuja for the Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Barr. Esther Uzoma who passed on in January. The event, which was organised by the Situation Room, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Bar Association (Unity Branch), Otu Okaiwu (Association of Igbo Lawyers) and the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) was a platform to honour Esther Uzoma, who made tremendous impact in the Nigerian society during her lifetime. The evening was marked by hymn singing, musical renditions and tributes from Esther’s friends and family, as well as the groups she belonged to and worked with. Another Evening of Tributes organised by Spaces for Change was held on Tuesday, February 2 in Lagos. These events are part of a series of activities that constitute her funeral rites, which will culminate in a funeral service and interment on February 5, in her hometown of Anara in Imo State. Tributes to Esther were received from across the country and the international community. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing in her tribute, described Esther as force for good in Nigeria. The Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu described Esther as the Amazon of Nigeria’s democracy and a committed human rights activist.
The tributes testified to Esther’s charisma and the immeasurable contributions she made to so many lives in personal and professional capacities. Esther has left an enduring legacy and there is no gainsaying that she will be sorely missed.