Clementina Saduwa (nee Vincent) has passed away. What a great loss to the human race? She was a vibrant lady full of energy and life. She was always endearing and approachable. I really don’t know her but I know some of her exploits. In Secondary School, we were classmates competing for first position but she later became the Head Girl and I know she is a leader that would have brought positive influence to our country Nigeria. As at today, she is the President of Women in Engineering of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the Africa, Europe and Middle East and also the Product Manager with Ericsson Nigeria. She is a lady with a lot of influence and charm; a wife and mother. How did she die? How did the sting of death touch a lady with such admirable qualities?
This is how Tade Oyinlola of Ericsson describes her death in a mail I received in my box;
“One of my colleagues was killed last night. Attacked at Apogbon about 8pm on her way home from work. The iron rod used to smash the window went through her side and punctured the lung. She bled but was still able to get to the hospital and eventually died about two hours after the incident.â€
What Tade omitted was that it was area boys on the Apongbon Bridge that committed this atrocious act. I really don’t want to delve into the atrocities caused by these area boys because they are just too numerous. I want to remember Clementina as she was described by various persons and organisation.
“NIGERIA: LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Clementina Saduwa, product engineer and manager at Ericsson, Nigeria, embodies our leadership by example’ approach. She has received international recognition for her work in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and has actively promoted the role of women in the African engineering community. She believes that her own development has benefited from Ericsson s approach to its employees and its focus on empowerment. In working for a global company, she has been awarded opportunities otherwise difficult to access in Africa. Efforts to provide equal opportunities for women are managed locally, and Saduwa believes that the rewards of gender diversity would increase with a specific policy aimed at empowering women.Her engagement with stakeholders in the community also influences her role as an Ericsson manager. She develops her communications skills and gains experience that improves job performance, and she is able to provide Ericsson with greater visibility.â€
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Sustainability Report 2005 of Ericsson
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“Clementina is the pioneer coordinator for Women in Engineering in Europe, Middle East and Africa. A position that she assumed after pioneering and leading the formation of a branch of Women In Engineering in Nigeria. Her role as the chair of women in Engineering is focused on helping young ladies make informed decisions in the course of their careers. Women In Engineering in Nigeria, under her leadership organizes programs that pull together other female engineers to stand as role models and mentors to young Nigerian girls who are at the sensitive stage of making the all important decision of what to practice as a profession. As a coordinator for Europe, Middle East and Africa, she gives direction and motivation to women leaders in the many countries under her leadership. Clementina graduated with a honors degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the field of Electronic Engineering in 2002. Whilst in the university, she served in several leadership positions. She was the pioneer chair of the University of Nigeria Student Branch of the IEEE.
Clementina works for Ericsson Nigeria as a Product Manager. Her job entails proffering technical solutions for telecom operators and working with other colleagues towards closing multi-million dollar deals for Ericsson. Prior to joining Ericsson, she had gathered a lot of experience from the information technology and communications industry in Nigeria.â€
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â By Pat Lynch, Editor In Chief of Women Radio on her piece on International Lady Engineers meet at UN
I would also like to remember her speeches and write-ups; amongst them is my favourite – a paper tittled “Female Engineer, The African Perspectiveâ€. She concluded by saying;
I would also like to remember her speeches and write-ups; amongst them is my favourite – a paper tittled “Female Engineer, The African Perspectiveâ€. She concluded by saying;Â
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“It is important that women in and outside Africa make their contributions to this noble profession because women too are smart and have a natural passion to contribute to the betterment of life for mankind Engineering Week 2006â€
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These are the words that came out of her acquaintances and friends when the sad news was related to them.
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“I find this very hard to believe because it was only on Monday I was gisting Anike Rojaiye about everybody and she was someone I really talked about considering how proud she has made all of us. When I saw the heading on Clementina I was eager to read it because I was too sure that I was going to hear something great and this….!
Na wa for this life like the Bible says in the book of Psalm 90 we should learn to “redeem the times because the days are evil” No one knows his/her time we should just try and live every second in readiness to meet our Lord Jesus.â€
Take care all
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Elizaphan Omerhi (federal Government College, Ijanikin Classmate)
 “I am shocked, bewildered beyond words. My nerves shiver as i write in response to this , is still spoke to her recently and was echoing her praises to some of my colleagues in the office. Is this how life is? What kind of country is this? What kind of demon is it that exists on that apogbon bridge? What kind of law nforcement agents do we have? Is this really a nation? I have so many questions. Tears have refused to flow; it has been replaced with anger, anger, and anger for the kind of system we have in this country. This is obviously not the first time this kind of incident has happened at Apogbon , what have the authorities done about it? Are we all going to sit in our comfort zones and allow things to rot in this nation? If the older generation can’t do anything about it, then why can’t we. I am so full of ANGER, at the police at the Lagos state govt and at the Fed Govt for the kind of system we are running. I very well understand it happens everywhere, but is it only this country? ARMED ROBBERY, ASSASINATIONS, PLANE CRAASHES name them. All the perpetrators have NEVER been found. If it lies in my power and GOD knows if am in a place of authority, ALL THIS SHIT, has got to STOP. Please guys, let’s rise up an take the Bull by the HORN. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. If any one has ideas, please let them roll, and let us do something. R WE SAYING IT IS NO LONGER SAFE IN THE STATE WE CALL HOME’?â€
-Adeola Olabode (Ijanikin 95 Classmate)
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We in “Dipo Tepede.POeT†remember her very much and I for one cannot forget her statement to me when she saw me at the End of Year Dinner for Ijanikin Student Association. She said and I quote “I love your write-up; you write very well, the way you are going, I know you have a vision for something very big, please share it with me.†I could not share with her because I was too shocked to accommodate such accolade from a woman who has achieved so much in terms of community participation, national building and global recognition. She has put smiles in the face of so many; she is the Rose that beautifies the environment and even when the Rose withers away she transforms into the manure that continue to inspire growth. This is one lady out of many in Nigeria and indeed the world. Can the sting of death touch her? Hear what her close friend said;
“First of all, the devil is a liar and the father of all liars. She will not die but live to declare the glory of God. I want to please implore those of you who know how to pray and fast, to please start doing that now. If you have a prayer group, please ask them to pray and fast right now. Let us ask Jesus Christ to raise this friend of ours from the dead. She has not finished the work God created her to do on this earth. This is a radical request, I know, but we serve a God of miracles. We always claim that Jesus Christ is the resurrection, now let us prove him in this. Please everyone, let us rise up and bombard the gates of heaven and not give God rest until she rises from the dead again, and she testifies that Jesus is truly Lord over the living and the dead.Those of you who can go and see her family please persuade them to take her to the Reinhard Bonnke Crusade in Ado Ekiti. It’s taking place between January 24th-28th. I heard that one man of GOd was raised from the dead sometime ago. Please everyone, we must not allow Satan to win this one.
Jesus said that if we believe, all things are possible. Please please everyone, fast and pray.â€
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Stella Odilli
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I would like to part with a comment she made on this site on the topic “ABORTIONâ€
“Thank you Dipo for this opportunity to comment. From the religious angle. Abortion is murder!!! We may try to rationalise or explain it away, but it doesn’t change the truth.
I believe there is a strong bond between mother and child. Aborting a child, no matter what the mother tells you, shall definitely NEVER leave her the same way she was before the abortion. For all her life, she will be wondering what that child could have grown up to become.
The lady with the unfortunate incident could give the child out for adoption. I think that will be lighter on her conscience than if she aborts the child.
Thank you.â€
TO LISTEN TO HER VOICE INÂ AN INTERVIEWÂ WITH WOMEN’S RADIO CLICK THE LINK BELOW
http://www.womensradio.com/content/templates/?a=917&z=89
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17 comments
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January 27, 2007 at 3:31 pm (UTC 1)
its a sad one really, i didnt know who it was until i learnt she attended UNN the same course i graduated from. it got me thinking and i realised i remembered her when we were student members of IEEE. She was a very active member and i for one secretly admired her a lot. Its very sad indeed to here of her demise. i only pray that her soul is resting in the bosom of the lord and her family bears the loss.
January 29, 2007 at 3:23 pm (UTC 1)
God help us.
I dont even know what to say. May her soul rest in peace but honestly how can it rest in peace when one thoughtless person killed her just like that.
Nigeria is just…I have no words.
I pray that God provides her family with the strength to handle this.
January 29, 2007 at 4:00 pm (UTC 1)
What a way to go. Murdered by people who will never be brought to justice. What a legacy she leaves behind, a woman with so much work yet to be done. To live everyday as if it were your last, someone once told me, and from the write up, she enjoyed life, and tried to use what she was given to influence the people around her. Rest in peace Clementina Saduwa. May your soul rest in peace. My prayers goes out to her family. Husband and child.
January 29, 2007 at 4:57 pm (UTC 1)
What sad and truly shocking news … too think that the brilliant and energetic woman I had the pleasure to meet during my IEEE work being murdered in such a horrible way leaves me without words. My heart is with her family and all her friends.
January 29, 2007 at 11:40 pm (UTC 1)
I have had the chance to meet Clementina in many IEEE R8 meetings. She was a very active and enjoyable young engineer deeply involved in her work and in volunteering activities.
She became a dear friend when we met in Tampa (USA) and in Vilnius (Lituania). This was the last time I met her since I missed our meeting in Paris because of a conference coinciding with SBC’2006.
My thoughts are now for her family: her husband and also her young daughter.
She did think that Nigeria was not such a dangerous country. Her murder has been a proof not only of the contrary but that many countries in the world are not able to insure the minimum of security.
She was ready to come in the next IEEE R8 meeting in Sofia next April. We will miss her a lot.
I do hope that she will find a better world somewhere where she will rest in peace. Let us pray for her.
February 1, 2007 at 8:40 am (UTC 1)
i’m in great pain. first my class mate from ijanikin, nike aderibigbe, who died yesterday morning and of which i heard last night. now i’m just reading about clementina’s. she was in ss3 when i was in js1. once, i recall she bailed me out on a punishment from another senior which could have lasted hours. she was so nice and approachable. may the holy spirit be the comforter of her family especially, her husband and child. clementina, i’ll miss knowing of your existence on the earth’s surface. till we meet again, see you.
February 1, 2007 at 8:57 am (UTC 1)
Too sad! Nigeria kills her best! with so much work done and a lot more to be done. My heart goes out to her husband and daughter and everyone who had the privilege to meet & interact with her.
This is one murder too many. For someone who obviously believed in Nigeria its a truly SAD way to go!
Clementina rest in peace!
February 2, 2007 at 11:15 am (UTC 1)
i was sad when i first read about it in the newspaper. i felt so angered about it all. i got home and talked to my mom about it. i felt sad for her husband, beautiful daughter and the rest of her family. i tried to imagine the pain and fear she would have gone through at that particular time and i felt so sorry and angered that life was taken away from her at such a young age.
After reading some of her achievements, i felt more annoyed and asked why should such a thing happen to one our finest. She has made a generation proud, even though her existence was shoart lived, she would surely be remembered for she has left her footprints in the Sands of time.
I pray for the repose of her soul and for the good Lord to comfort her family.
February 2, 2007 at 6:49 pm (UTC 1)
My heart is soooo heavy right now. I don’t even know where to begin. Clementina Vincent (as she was known back in IJ). She was a year ahead of me and she was always the example of what a great leader was….an all-rounder….head girl, athlete, academic, good catholic, always smiling, integrity. One of those you had absolutely nothing bad to say about. You would look at her and say to yourself “This one was born to be a leader”.
Although I didn’t see her after IJ, I have always kept my ear to to ground on the happenings of my ex-IJ folks and she was always one whose name popped up as constantly doing great things. Always, made me proud not just as an ex-IJ student but as a Nigerian women.
And now this???!!!! Absolute Madness! I pray that her family finds comfort in God and her legacy will continue to be upheld. May God heal our land because Nigeria is in desperate need of it. Our best and brightest. May God help us! Amen!
February 3, 2007 at 12:04 pm (UTC 1)
Tina Was my cousin and she has inspired me to be an engineer like her. We lived together for years Just when am about to start my studying carreer she’s gone. I love you Tina & i will miss you greatly.
February 8, 2007 at 4:44 pm (UTC 1)
A colleague of mine actually told me about the incidence and i didnt even it was someone i actually passed thru in school. It quite shocking to hear about this and to think a classmate of mine – Nike Aderigigbe also pased on to glory last week. It’s so sad, why should the thieves attack her, there was no basis for that, they should have just collected what they wanted. I really cant remember her face but her name rang a bell. I am glad at least she touched a lot of lifes before she died. I pray her soul rest in peace and God help this country. AMEN
Tepede what set did u finish from in I.J ?
February 12, 2007 at 9:58 am (UTC 1)
Hello dipo,
na wa oo, this is really terrible. I keep wondering how our leaders will sit and allow things like this to keep happening. They said area boys killed her, how sure are we these are not assassines paid to kill this noble woman out of jealousy, of course in our beloved country everything is possible. May God console her family and may He remove peace from the domain of those that killed clemetine. Amen
February 18, 2007 at 6:04 pm (UTC 1)
GOOD NIGHT CLEMENTINA.
Speechless, thats exactly how Clementina’s death makes me feel.
I am yet to fully accept the fact that clementina is no more. When we spoke last on phone and exchanged Xmas and New year pleasantries, little did i know that that was going to be the last.
O death, how could you be this wicked!!!
I’ll forever live to remember and appreciate her very kind gestures and encouraging words.
I’ll miss you so much Clementina.
May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
March 27, 2007 at 8:23 am (UTC 1)
GOOD NIGHT TINA!!!
Death is the necessary end for every mortal. It must surely come to all, though the moment, nature and situation may differ. The most unfortunate and annoying fad with death is that it doesn’t have sense of judgment and so visits the most invaluable beings in the society untimely.
Why must it be her??? Clementina Saduwa from my searches on the internet was a powerful woman leader and an international figure whose speed can be likened to that of light. I had to listen again to her radio interview and all I could feel was that she did not die…
I was privileged to have sat in the same classroom in Annex I, II … with her. Tina was exceptionally a dedicated student, if I may recollect, that sits in the very first pew in our class. She was untiring and continued with that till just recently…
It is still very unfortunate that I was unable to tell her to her face how much confidence I had in her abilities to take Nigeria to a greater height. We shall not weep any more for Tina for she is in a better place. We have to weep for ourselves, our country Nigeria and the perpetrators of the act.
Clementina lived and died a Legend and so should she be remembered!
In His Great Love, the God of all consolation gave Clementina the gift of life. May He Bless her with faith in the resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ with the Hope of RISING to NEW LIFE…Amen!
Good night Tina!
March 29, 2007 at 6:21 am (UTC 1)
I didn’t know Clementina personally, but somehow, after reading all the glowing attributes people have paid her and about all that she accomplished in her community, I seem to think that I may have seen her before. Not in person, not walking down a street, but in my dreams. Yes, in my dreams of a better Nigeria, indeed, a better world. My visions of a brighter and greater Nigerian future are filled with people such as Clementina Sadauwa…a role model from a young age and a motivated change bearer till death.
True, the manner and timing of her passage will cause sorrow to many, this writer inclusive, because we are part flesh. However, we must rise above this minor detail because when it’s al said and done we all must pass away one way or another and surely too. We must instead focus on the legacy that she lives behind and how she has, to a larger extent than most, made such a big impact in the time she has spent on this earth. In fact, her life must inspire us all to re-evaluate our own existence and ask ourselves what, if anything we would have accomplished should our names be called up that final time.
Nobody chose to come to this world, yet we find ourselves here, and mostly strive all our lives to find the reason why. Therefore each person must return to his maker, find that purpose, fulfil it and thus give meaning to their existence. I know without a doubt that Clementina Sadauwa fulfilled her purpose in life, else her maker would not have called her home. It is now up to those of us still here to learn from her life and carry on in the same spirit, for this is the only way Nigeria can be great.
June 27, 2007 at 12:16 pm (UTC 1)
Dipo,
This is coming to me as a surprise…and grief…as I just saw the news on the Thisdayonline site this morning that the killers had been caught. I had to confirm from google search whom it truly was…damn! I am currently working on my project with stiff deadlines, but I certainly cannot accomplish what I set out to do today again! My hands are trembling as I write this, and it is just too sorrowful and bitter a pill to swallow. But then, i couldnt help but give applause when I read through what she achieved in even such a short span of time! She indeed was a great woman.
I do not intend to raise more grief now, but just that it’s very hard for me to contain it.
I last saw Clementina over 12 years ago, and I was looking forward to meeting her again. We sat next to each other then…I remember vividly during the national JETS competition in Katsina, and it was a memorable time too. She played a very vital role in Lagos State success at the competition, the first time the state ever won it. Her brilliance, smartness and quick wits helped us navigate even questions that seemed more subtle than expected….and this is to say that she’s always had the track records as an achiever.
Tina, I only wish we could meet again…and I hope to meet you again. Death could sting, but cannot kill that seed of greatness in you. You may not be here physically, but your spirit, the very legacy your have left behind will go on.
And according to Charles Spurgeon, the voice of great people cannot be stopped by whatever forces, for “being dead, they yet speak, and whether men choose to listen to them or not, they cannot but here them.”
Our world misses you, for you rank among our future Okonjo-Iwealas… You have led a life that is worth celebrating, worth reading about (Benjamin Franklin) and worth emulating. You life is a challenge to me as a person.
I miss you my sister, and I hope we meet again.
Thank you for being the great person you were…and I doff my hat.
I pray God grants your husband the strength to carry on the dreams you both had, and the very inner strength to bear the loss. I ask that He supplies all that your family needs, according to His riches in glory.
Shalom dear sister, and much love.
July 6, 2007 at 3:55 am (UTC 1)
I’ve just read a story on the Daily Sun’s website to the effect that the robbers, the scum of the earth, who killed Clementina were caught during another operation (see http://odili.net/news/source/2007/jul/5/804.html). I would like to appeal to all those who are physically on ground in Nigeria, to ensure that these dregs of the society are not allowed to go unpunished by the corrupt and inept Nigeria police.
Although this won’t bring Clementina back, nor provide much succor to her husband and children, is is the least her friends can do for her.