GENEVIEVE NWABIANI IKENCHUKWU

Genevieve is the second child of the late Monarch of Agbor Kingdom in Delta State, Nigeria – HRM, Obi Ikenchukwu I and his wife, HRH, Grace Ikenchukwu (nee Isedeh) and sister to the current Monarch, HRM, Keagborekuzi I, Obi (Dein) of Agbor Kingdom. She has 5 sisters and 2 brothers including the Monarch.

 

Founder of the Obi Ikenchukwu Foundation (OIF), Genevieve is a practicing Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales and a Barrister/Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She is a member of the Law Society in England and Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria. She holds an LLB from a Nigerian University, her Masters Degree in International Commercial Law from the UK, attended the BPP Law School, Holborn in Central London and subsequently qualified as a Solicitor. She has since been practicing in the UK as Solicitor and is currently in Nigeria to further the cause of the OIF.

 

Having lost her parents as a child under the age of 10, she appreciates the trauma that is associated with being an orphan and that accompanies every stage of life, the struggles and challenges that each passing day brings and the lack of parental care with its accompanying psychological effect that every orphan is forced to accept and becomes a reality as they grow older. As a survivor of Domestic Violence following an abusive marriage, she can also relate to its victims.

 

The vision for Genevieve and consequently that of the OIF is to someday be able to provide a shelter and educational environment with necessary facilities for orphans and the female victims of violence in their care. This project called “the OIF VILLAGE” is currently on hold as the Foundation continues to seek support to make it a reality. It is intended to be situated in Agbor in honour of the late Monarch and queen for the benefit of the orphan and girl child.

 

With this project, Genevieve assumes the position of a parent and is committed to supporting orphans and female victims of violence in fulfilling their dreams. The purpose of OIF is thus to minimize the impact of the challenges of life peculiar to these groups of individuals and wherever possible ensure an absolute eradication of their abuse. The provision of a “home” and education for the orphan child will build the platform necessary for stability, growth, focus, empowerment and the achievement of their goals. For the female victims of DV, it will rebuild their lost confidence and self-esteem thereby enabling them to become the wives and mothers they were meant to be.

 

Genevieve is the writer and author of “Chronicles of the Agbor Royalty”(CoAR), a book that tells her story, her heritage and culture. An engaging and interesting book, CoAR tells the story of the Ika People and from her perspective, she paints a beautiful picture of the landscape of Agbor. She subtly touches on the rulership of the ancient Kingdom but focuses on the reign of the last three Monarchs – HRM, Obi Obika, HRM, Obi Ikenchukwu I (and his Queen) and HRM, Keagborekuzi I (her grandfather, father and brother).

 

Appreciating the role that a woman plays in her home and society, Genevieve brings attention to her late mother, Queen Grace Ikenchukwu (nee Isedeh) whom she refers to as the backbone of the late Monarch. She has thus dedicated the book to the memory of her parents, the late Monarch of Agbor Kingdom – HRM Obi Ikenchukwu I and Queen Grace Ikenchukwu (nee Isedeh).

 

Genevieve is also the publisher of “Managing Intolerable Neglect and Domestic Situations” (MINDS), a bespoke magazine, focused on the plight of the less privileged in the society. With her legal background, she offers legal advice on violence towards children and women. She has writers from various fields including law, sports, etc. “MINDS” also has a segment for children’s articles called “the writers’ club” and another for the promotion of Art and Culture called “Royalty and Culture”. As Genevieve puts it, Culture is a very important aspect of life as “a person without culture, simply lacks identity”.

 

Genevieve is very proud of her heritage and it is her dream to be a part of the promotion of Culture within and beyond Nigeria particularly amongst the youth. Her major regret in life remains the loss of her parents at such a young age which has left a huge lacuna in her life and is currently being filled by the establishment of OIF, which she sees as her connection with her late parents. Genevieve invites as many people as would like to be members of the OIF.