BIOGRAPHY OF LATE MRS VICTORIA AMENAGHAWON ASUEN (NEE OBARISIAGBON)-1942-1999
The late Mrs. Victoria Amenaghawon Asuen (Nee Obarisiagbon was born in 1942 to Mr. Sunday Idahosa Obarisigbon of Uselu, from the Eyede family and Mrs. Aifesehi Obarisiagbon who was then a commodity trader from Iguobazuwa in Ovia North East local Government Area.
The very angelic young Victoria spent her early days in Benin City but was soon to start a life of sojourn in other lands, as her father was a staff of ministry of works in the then Westan Rejoin, and always on transfer. He soon moved to Ibadan and took the young Amenaghawon along. There she was enrolled in Baptist primary School in Nolende area of Ibadan, where she had her elementary education. This was against the popular opinion during colonial times, that the girl child should not be given Western education. She later proceeded to acquire Secondary Education in the same Baptist Mission School in Ibadan.
Her burning desire for education in order to have a professional qualification, led her to enroll for nursing training and thereafter worked briefly as a nurse at the University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan .While in Ibadan, as a young lady with the zest of an achiever, yearning for business success, she opened a beauty salon in a highbrow area of the town, which was very successful.
She later returned to her fatherland, Benin and worked briefly with a reputable company. She was a very dedicated staff and loved by her colleagues as a team player and got several awards from her boss for diligence and hardwork. But as the call for business was in her destiny, she resigned and opened a restaurant before the onset of the Nigerian Civil war, aptly called the Biafran war. This was in 1967 ,and it was a one room shop at No 112 Akpakpava road, where God is Good Motors is presently located, opposite Mobile Filling Station.
From a single shop, the business metamorphosed into an expansive conglomerate, called 7 Sisters, with various departments, including lodging and accommodation, wholesale of drinks and a Casino. 7 Sisters became the talk of the town and “Numero uno” in the hospitality business in Benin City and throughout the Western Region.
She became a major distributor to Nigerian Breweries Limited (NBL)- One of the first, Guiness Nigeria Plc, Senator Patrick Osakue of Flash Pools and Best Western Hotel-Home ville.
For her commitment to ensure best standards in her line of business, she won several awards from both local and international organizations. This was in recognition of her distinguished business acumen and as a great employer of labour, having over 50 staff on her pay roll at a time. Some of her major corporate customers were Ekenedili Chukwu, De Young Motors and other major transporters from the east.
Her marital sojourn started in Ibadan, when she got married to late Mr Ephraim Erharuyi Adams, a renown anatomist, and the union was blessed with mama’s eldest son, Mr Alastair Nosakhare Adams. Mr Adams later sojourned overseas and married another over there. Life had to go . she met and married Mr Oti Omeruah, the General Manager of Nigeria Tobacco Company ( NTC ), who in a bid to be closer home, got transfered to Benin and settled there. While he worked, the young Victoria settled into business. They had two beautiful children, Mrs Osaro Shadare and late Esther Oti. Due to the ethnic coloration of the civil war of 1967 to 1970, Mr Oti had to retun to the east for safety. This did not help their union, hence separation was inevitable.
After several some years,, she later re – married to the handsome, industrialist, Chief Dr. Scotty Asuen, the Osaremwanta of Benin and Chairman /CEO of Gejsa Group of Companies, a foremost business guru in Benin City and they were blessed with several successful Children; Mr Emmanuel Asuen, Surveyor Joseph Asuen, late Mr Kenneth Asuen, Hon., Comrade Valentine Asuen, MD/CEO, DVD OIL and APC Youth Leader, Edo state, Mrs Vera Erhengbo and Mrs Susan Omagbemi.
In spite of her busy business schedule and commitments, she and her husband (Chief Scotty Asuen) became the toast of the social circle, as they chaired several functions and gave generously. She was an exclusive and founding member of 44- Sisters, a high profile social-cultural club that was very reputable in the Southern region of Nigeria.
She embraced Christianity at middle age and fellowshipped with Christ Embassy till her dying days as a devout Christian.
After a very successful and eventful life, still full of service to offer to mankind, the curtain of her life came falling down untimely and she answered the glorious call on the 9th of June, 1999 at the age of 57.
She is still greatly missed by her loving husband, Children, Grandchildren, foster children, In-Laws and family members.
Great Mother, heroine of our race, continue to rest with your maker till we meet to part no more.
Okhian edehia, Iyenogie!
