EARLY LIFE.
Late Mrs. Janet Ahwejevun Fifen was born in 1930 into the family of Late Chief and Mrs. Eko Atumah of Otefe Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State. Late Mrs. Janet Fifen popularly called Vevun was the sixth and last child of Eminokasan, the daughter of Late Chief Inare of Ajarughwa community in Oghareki. Her siblings made up of Two Male and Four Female were Imama, Ladies (Nadi), Diamond (Okuku), Inonekwone (Nonee), Emumayunu (Maanu). Mama Janet Fifen until her death was the last surviving child of her late mother Eminokasan Ekoh Atumah.
Education
While growing up, late Vevun attended the very popular Oghara Model School, Oghara where she had her elementary school. She was a very bright and athletic young woman, who was so much in love with formal education and her desire for success made her venture into trading, which was also a very prominent venture in the extended Atumah family of Otefe-Oghara at the time. Like the popular saying” build your castle from the stones thrown at you”, late Vevun at that very young age made a promise to herself that every of her child till the 5th generation must all be graduates as long as she is still alive and strong. A promise she kept till her last breath on earth. This, explains why growing up as her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, introducing your financial needs through academics or school related issues was one of the surest ways to get money from Mama as she never joked with anything that has to do with Academics.
FAMILY LIFE/CAREER
It was in the course of her trade and industrious nature that late Vevun met and got married to her husband, late Chief. Green Ordia who is also a business mogul at the time from Udughe in Jesse, Ethiope West LGA. She later separated from late Chief. Green Ordia due to irreconcilable differences. But, that marriage was blessed with two children; Rev. Dr. Henry Ordia and Rev. Dr. Precious Johnson, her first son and daughter respectively. However, she being a very hard working woman, ventured into farming, in addition to her trade businesses as was common with women of her age bracket back in the days in Delta State. It was also this unique trait of being a very focused and hard working woman that endeared her to Late Chief Afred Fifen of Ugbeku Community in Oghareki, who was at the time, a renowned mechanised farmer, who later married her, in line with the customs and tradition of the Urhobo people from Otefe- Oghara. And the marriage produced 5 Children; Samuel Nyerovwo Fifen, Felix Oghenefejiro Fifen, Dr. Excellent Omejevwe Fifen, Julius Akpobome Fifen, and Festus Ejiroghene Fifen respectively.
Also, being married to a successful Farmer, late Vevun was among the early farmers and traders that made marks in bringing up her children in the fear of God and never took her children’s education for granted in all her life. The untimely death of her elder brother, Mr. Diamond Ekoh Atuma, her father, Chief Ekoh Atuma and her husband late Chief Alfred Fifen, all within a period of two years, in the late 80s and early 90s, was a major setback for late mama Janet Fifen. But, her resolve to be strong for her children, no matter what happens, saw her through those trying times.
Late Mrs. Janet Ahwejevun Fifen was born in 1930 into the family of Late Chief and Mrs. Eko Atumah of OtefeHaving accepted the christian Faith early in life through Missionaries from CMS Mission, she devoted her early days to serving God as a chorister in the CMS church which is present day Anglican Church before migration and marriage took her to the Baptist Church. She was a dedicated Baptist member, where she served God diligently before her final days on earth. She encouraged and invited men and women in Ajoki/Koko and other neighboring villages to the Baptist association, conferences and convention all over Nigeria which earned her the name, ‘Mama Convention’. Her usual exclamation “Ose”, “Jesus” whenever she is faced with a daunting challenge or situation later became house-hold words around her and over time those phrases were used to describe her to those that don’t know her very well. Her 4:AM moming prayers which she religiously practiced for over 60 years praying for her children, pastors, churches and other family members later became an alarm clock for her children and her grandchildren whenever she visits any of them for holidays which characterised her later life in old age. Late Mama convention played an active role in the establishment of CMS Church that was later taken over by the Baptist Mission in late 60’s, that is now First Baptist Church, Ajoki, most times. she introduced the latest in Baptist Women Affairs especially in good home building through teaching in Proclaim Magazine (WMS). Her Favourite Hymn was Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus….., in English, And “Must I go an Empty Handed” which she mostly sang in her native Urhobo Language. Both hymns attested to the fact that she was very conscious of her salvation on earth and the life hereafter when she meets her creator on the last day. She despised laziness and idleness, she could be said to be economically well to do in her community. She believed in human resource development, she loved all her children and the friends of her children, and sometimes distribute food stuffs like fish, garri and other food items to people around her vicinity. As a great cook of her time, she fed people, it was not possible to come to her home and leave without eating. She was a mother to many because of this virtue.
Due to the closeness of her home to the Baptist Mission, she cared for Baptist pastors. She was always against and never advocated for vendetta of any kind, cautioning all who care to listen that God will revenge for her whenever she encounters challenges during her sojourn in life. She was a lover of people, a cheerful Giver, an Amazon of a class, replica of what a good mother must be; a friend, advisor, ever forgiving and above all God fearing. Mama, your legacies on earth attested by your dedication in serving God; rekindles our hope that you are in the bossom of the Lord. In the words of Apostle Paul in II Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” The Ajoki/Koko, Oghara, Lagos, Benin, Warri, Abuja Community, and the entire Nigeria Baptist Convention and other churches she attended as a result of visiting her children all over Nigeria will remember late mama Janet Fifen for her good deeds, her very energetic Dance steps during church services or other religious activity which she mostly does with a smile.
Death
Mama’s Journey to eternal glory took place in the early hours of Saturday morning around 8:50 am on the 4th of June, 2022 Goodnight mother. She is survived by seven (7) children, 22 Grandchildren, and 11 Great Grandchildren.
