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[CULTURE] · Nigeria · 17 sources

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Kamene Okonjo, renowned sociologist and matriarch, dies at 96

Kamene Okonjo Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Ogwashi-Uku sociology women's empowerment

Professor Kamene Okonjo, a distinguished sociologist and advocate for women’s rights, has died at the age of 96. The announcement was made by the Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Delta State, noting she passed away peacefully on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Professor Okonjo was the mother of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, and the mother of the current Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, His Royal Majesty Obi Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II. She was married to the late Professor Chukwuka Okonjo, a former traditional ruler, for 66 years.

A celebrated academic, her research into the political and social roles of Igbo women earned her international recognition in African gender studies. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti all issued condolences, describing her as a champion of women’s empowerment and a respected community leader whose intellectual legacy and service to humanity would remain indelible.

Entities

Bola Tinubu · Delta State · Kamene Okonjo · Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala · Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom · World Trade Organization

Sources

Tinubu Mourns Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s Mother, Kamene Okonjo, Who Dies At 96 [www.parrotnewspaper.com]
Tinubu Pays Tribute to Late Prof Kamene Okonjo, Mother of WTO DG [ekohotblog.com]
Wife Of Late Obi Of Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Kamene Okonjo, Dies At 96 [oasismagazine.com.ng]
Oborevwori mourns Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mother [phenomenal.com.ng]
Tinubu Mourns As Okonjo-Iweala Loses Mother At 96 [royalnews.com.ng]
Oborevwori Condoles Okonjo Family Over Matriarch’s Death [topcelebrities.com.ng]
WTO Chief, Okonjo-Iweala Pays Tribute to Late Mother [newscentraltv.com]
Okonjo-Iweala loses mother, as Tinubu mourns [realnewsmagazine.net]
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala loses mother [blueprint.ng]
Otti mourns Okonjo-Iweala’s mother Kamene [chronicle.ng]
Alex Otti Mourns Okonjo-Iweala Over Mother’s Death [www.naijanews.com]
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mother Kamene Okonjo dies at 96 - QED.NG [www.qed.ng]
Okonjo-Iweala’s mum, Prof. Kamene Okonjo, dies at 96 [thenicheng.com]
Oborevwori, Dafinone, Guwor Mourn Okonjo-Iweala’s Mother, Prof Kamene, 96 [www.thisdaylive.com]
Okonjo-Iweala Thanks Supporters for Condolences Over Mother’s Death [zalebs.com]
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mother dies in Delta at 96 [businessday.ng]
Dafinone mourns Okonjo-Iweala’s late mother [punchng.com]