Rev. Sr. Henrietta Eboshog-
we (meaning; the will of
God Alokha, born May
11 1967 was the fourth of
six children born into the devout
Catholic family of late Chief Vincent
Dodah Alokha and Late Mrs Juliana
Alokha both of Agenebode in Etsako
East Local Govt Area of Edo State.
Her father, was renowned head
teacher/educationist, who had the
rare privilege of working with early
missionary priests who relied on
his educational background and his
ability to interact with different elite
groups and the local communities
to evangelize across Edo North
geographic entity and beyond. Her
mother was engaged in various com-
mercial activities including catering.
She was a model to her children.
Sr Henrietta lost her mother at
the tender age of 8 years in 1975.
In 1976, her father remarried. The
marriage produced additional 2 boys
and 2 girls. Given this background,
no doubt Sr Henrietta grew up with
her sibling in an environment rooted
in discipline, respect and strong
catholic faith.
Rev Sr Henrietta, had this unique
attributes of calmness, humanness,
ability to observe and take record
of events. She had a highly retentive
memory. She enjoyed reciting her
catechism to the admiration of the
rest of her siblings. Until her death,
she was a ‘diary of special family
events’
Towards the tail end of her Sec-
ondary School education at St Peter’s
College, Agenebode, she started
expressing interest in religious vo-
cation. Initially, it felt like the usual
childish aspiration. But on graduat-
ing in 1983, her father noticed her
determination to become a Reverend
Sister. As a foremost member of the
church, he was glad to support her
aspiration. He therefore approached
Late Rev Fr Cyril Ofoegbu, the
then Parish Priest of Sacred Heart
Catholic Church, Agenebode who
provided guidance and mentored her
to become a novice.
Thus, she was admitted into the
convent to commence her religious
life in 1983. During her 36 year
service in the Lord’s vineyard, she
pursued further studies both at home
and in the United states of America,
up to doctorate degree level.
Sr Henrietta lost her father in 2004
and was very close to him till his
passing. Rev. Sr. Henrietta displayed
exemplary behaviour as an easy-go-
ing but firm personality. She was
a great organiser and a successful
mediator. She exhibited selflessness
and was never swayed by material
things as she would often turn down
gifts considered excessive.
She was a role model. Her commit-
ment to religious life contributed
positively to two of her nephews be-
coming Priests. She had unequalled
love for her children/students. On
several occasions she would termi-
nate her presence in functions or
family visits on the ground that she
has to rush back to school to ensure
that the students were not derailing.
She had personal relationship with
the students and parents. She was
unassuming; always putting per-
sonal calls across to parents whose
children required special attention
without necessarily delegating that
role.
She never expressed regret about
her vocation. Instead she continued
to embark on personal development
to support her calling and service
to humanity. She had a flair for
quality and excellence. No wonder
she left every school she managed
better than she met them in terms
of infrastructural development and
academic performance.
