By Kingsley Agim
A wave of sorrow swept through generations of former pupils and community members following the passing of Elder Eileen Baya Okongor (née Aunty Eileen), the cherished proprietress of Aunty Eileen’s Nursery and Primary School. Fondly remembered as a mother, mentor, and moral compass, Aunty Eileen’s death marks the end of an era for many who passed through her nurturing hands.
Born on February 12, 1938, into the Assima Nyam family of the Etayip Clan in Ikom, Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, Elder Okongor dedicated her life to the service of humanity through education. After retiring from public service in 1987, she channeled her passion for teaching and mentorship into founding Aunty Eileen’s Nursery and Primary School in Bendeghe-Ekiem—an institution that would go on to make history.
The school, now 38 years old, holds the distinction of being the first private school established within what is known today as Etung Local Government Area. It quickly became a beacon of hope, discipline, and academic excellence for children in the region and beyond. Under the guidance of Proprietress Eileen Okongor, it produced generations of leaders, professionals, and changemakers.
She diligently ran the school until 2004, when she handed over leadership to one of her daughters following her relocation to Abuja. Even in retirement, her influence lingered in the school corridors, in the hearts of her students, and in the values they carried forward. Among the pioneer students of the school are notable names such as Bassey Odu Bichene, Henry Ogbu Ayuk, Nkan Obi Ogar (now Nkan Usoro), and Ajie Agbor Takon (now Ajie Takim Achu), Ndifon Egbe Atim, among others.
In a heartfelt tribute, Mrs. Ajie Takim Achu, one of the pioneer students of the school, expressed deep condolences on behalf of the old students, describing Aunty Eileen as an inspiring matriarch whose leadership, wisdom, and dedication shaped the destiny of countless young lives.
“It is with deep sorrow that we learned of the passing of our beloved proprietress. She was more than an educator—she was a guiding light. Her wisdom, kindness, and unwavering commitment left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege to learn from her,” Mrs. Achu stated.
For her former pupils, the school was never just a building—it was a sanctuary of values, a launchpad for dreams, and a testament to the power of one woman’s vision. Her students, now scattered across the globe, continue to bear the imprint of her teachings.
“She raised us as her own,” one former pupil reflected. “Even when we faltered, she corrected with love and always reminded us that we were capable of greatness. Losing her feels like losing a second mother.”
As news of her passing spreads, tributes continue to pour in from across the world—echoes of gratitude for the woman whose legacy lives not only in bricks and mortar but in the lives she transformed.
In closing her tribute, Mrs. Achu encouraged the family and fellow alumni to find strength in cherished memories and the monumental legacy Aunty Eileen leaves behind.
“Our thoughts are with her family as they navigate this tremendous loss. May you find peace and comfort in the knowledge that her impact lives on in the lives she touched so deeply,” she said.
Aunty Eileen may have transitioned, but her story will live on—in the hearts of her students, and the spirit of education she breathed into an entire generation.
