Her Excellency Josephine Nonye Ezeanyeche Odueze, widely known as Great, Great Grandma Africa, will mark her 105th birthday on July 18, 2023. The celebration will be held at the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre in Abuja.
Josephine Nonye Ezeanyeche Odueze, the oldest presidential aspirant of 2023, is an icon of humanity and a living legend. Born on June 22, 1919, to Chief Peter and Lolo Maria Omambala in Agukwu Nri, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, she married the late High Chief Ichie, Dr. Livinus Afamefuna Ezeanyache, a legendary security icon. She is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, blessed with numerous descendants.
A distinguished veteran, Josephine Ezeanyeche is celebrated as the oldest and most active politician globally. She contested in the general election of 2022 and has a remarkable educational background, having obtained her General Certificate of Education (GCE) and Nursing Assistant Certificate from the American Red Cross USA at age 76. Her career spans catering, business, and volunteer work at old people’s homes in America.
Ezeanyeche is a passionate advocate for the elderly, women’s development, and youth advocacy. She has been a relentless activist, diplomat, lobbyist, peace ambassador, philanthropist, community promoter, and human rights advocate. Known for defending the rights of the elderly, women, youth, and children, she champions the full utilization of senior citizens’ experiences.
Her extensive involvement includes membership in various organizations such as the “ODU” Women Society (IYOM) in Igboland, Nwanyibuife Advocacy International, Rotary Club International, Mother’s Guild/Union Worldwide, VICAR Society International, and Igbo-ukwu Development Union. Her campaign, “NOT TOO OLD TO SERVE,” underscores her belief in the capabilities of senior citizens.
Ezeanyeche founded “The Voice of Senior Citizens of Nigeria (VOISCON)” and was the founding Chairman of Grand Mothers of Anambra State Association in America. She co-founded several organizations, including the “World Igbo Congress” in America, “Nigerians in Diaspora Organization,” “Nigeria Catholic and Anglican Churches,” and the “International Congress of Women of African Descent.”
As an Ada Anambra Ambassador, she tirelessly worked for peace and unity in Anambra State. Her skills in negotiation were pivotal in resolving the 15-year rivalry between Akukwa and Ngo villages, earning her the prestigious title of “IYOM” conferred by “EZE NRI” and ODU Society of Nri.
The celebration will feature a book presentation, the launch of an old people’s home project, and the VOISCON Awards. Her Excellency’s life and achievements continue to inspire many, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to humanity and the betterment of society.
As a Nationalist, she worked very hard to establish Associations for other ethnic groups such as:
1. Zumunta, an association of Northern Nigeria in America
2. Egbe Omo Yoruba National Association in America
3. Oron Development Union of South-South Region in America
4. World Igbo Congress of South East Region in America
5. Nigeria in Diaspora Organization (UNIDO) and many others.
6. Establishment of political parties in Nigeria such as; Peoples Democratic Party {PDP}, Alliance for Democracy {AD} and All Nigerian Peoples Party {ANPP}.
7. The establishment of Christian churches in Nigerian and USA such as; St James Anglican church Asokoro, Nigerian Anglican church Washington DC, Nigerian Roman catholic church Washington DC.
Mama Africa/Mother General (Ezinne Gburugburu) strongly believes that together we are stronger and that we are better in developing our respective communities in Nigeria. She encouraged Nigerians in Diaspora to invest in Nigeria (Think Home) Today Nigerians had sent billions of Dollars annually for various community developments in Nigeria. In Nigeria during her High days, she was a member of Strategic Patriotic Committee that organized the first Citizens to Citizens Peace Accord during the 2011 general election hosted by Nigerians in Diasporas Integration Agency (NIDIA)
As an Africanist, she fought Apartheid through the “international Congress of Women of African Descent (ICOWAD), a movement against South African Government in the 1990s. As a Queen Mother, she was a member of the Strategic Committee of Nigerians in Diaspora Integration Agency(NIDIA) that fought Africa xenophobic attacks on Nigeria that:
1. Prevented a reprisal attack on south Africans and their investments in Nigeria
2. Planned and executed successfully in signing “Citizens to Citizens Peace Accord between Nigerians in 2014
3. Sent and sponsored delegation to visit King Shaka Zulu of South Africa over the Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African Nationals in 2014
4. To negotiate Cease fire and peace between Nigerians, other African Nationals and South Africans in 2014. This peace mission yielded a long period of xenophobic free South Africa until recently.
As an International Legend, an acclaimed unassuming powerful strategist, a rare selfless servant and volunteer activist that planned several protests against inhumanity worldwide, such as profiling against Nigerians in America, execution of Nigerians in Indonesia, Sierra Leone War, Liberia unrest, Burundi and Rwanda war and Central African unrest, North and South Sudan unrest and other international crises not publicly made aware of. Gaining the release of our African Citizens stranded in
This special breed of a woman is proud to be part and parcel of the establishment of African/Caribbean Commission and African Commission in America, an achievement that will ever live with her until death and beyond. Mama strongly believes in developing human capacity building platform creativity, institutionalization and infrastructural development that stands the test of time and life long sustainable war against inhumanity, injustice and other vices in the world.
Honors and Awards
Great, Great, Grandma Africa has been recognized, honored and has received many awards for her humble selfless services and contributions to humanity, community and nation building, not only from Federal Republic of Nigeria, but globally. Some of the recent awards include:
1. Africa Peace Ambassador Awards (APAA) 2021 by the governing council of Africa Peace Ambassador
2. Life Time Excellence Achievement Award 2019 by Rotary Club International
3. The Royal Diadem Award 2019 by the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers FCT.
4. Mother General and Devoted Christian 2019 by Mothers Guild/Union International-St. James Catholic Church, Asokoro FCT.
5. Ambassador of Peace by Inter-religious and International Federation of World Peace.
6. Mother of Faith 2019 by VICAR Society International FCT
7. “Ezinne Gburugburu” by Igbos home and Diaspora and many others to mention a few. Mama is a gift to our beloved country Nigeria.
Humanitarian and Human Development Courses Mama Has Championed:
Women development initiative;
❖ She funded Congressional campaigns of women of African descent in America on her own
❖ She founded the “Grandmothers of Nigeria association” in America.
Youths development initiative;
❖ She believes and volunteered for many organizations, schools, and orphanages to reshape the young minds in the areas of morals, ethics, peace and reconciliation.
❖ She pushed young people to the wall on “not too young to run”.
Political and economic development;
❖ Brain behind approval of fund for AFMA from Africa- A perspective which her daughter executed perfectly and US Congress agreed.
❖ She prevented reprisal attacks on foreign investments in Nigeria.
❖ She was brain behind legislative summit in Washington represented by Stella Omu and Pius Anyim delegate.
❖ She was the brain behind Economic Summit between Nigeria and USA represented by Bamanga Turke and Minister Bello delegation.
❖ Brain behind resolution of war at Liberia, Burundi, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.
❖ Brain behind resolution of Apartheid and freedom of Nelson Mandela.
General humanitarian development;
1. She is a Nationalist and a detribalized icon. She visited both home/abroad; the poor and the rich and prayed for them. She constantly visited the church members and home of senior citizens.
2. She was the brain behind the mobilization of African countries on AGOA
3. She fed the multitude of the needy through her food restaurant establishment in biggest cities across the country.
