Mrs. Lucy Amadin Osemota (nee Ogbeide) was born on June 22, 1946, to Pa Alfred and Mrs. Aghore Ogbeide (nee Ahabue), in Orhua, Uhumwode Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State, Nigeria. She was the eldest of Pa Alfred Ogbeide’s 14 children and mother to all of them.

As a child, her parents instilled a strong Christian faith that she steadfastly followed throughout her life. This upbringing formed the foundation of her values, morals, and endeavors.

During her childhood, it was not common for girls to receive an education. However, her father recognized the importance of education and ensured that she received one. She became the first female university graduate, master’s holder, and professor in Orhua. She served as an inspiration to the parents in Orhua, who realized that girls could succeed in education and be successful. She paved the way for the mass education of girls in Orhua, which continues today. 

Her father initially sent her to study at Demonstration Primary School in Evboneka with her uncle, who was a teacher. She later returned home to Orhua and graduated with distinction from St. John’s Anglican school. She continued her education at St. Peter’s Anglican Secondary Modern School, graduating as the top student in 1963. 

After completing her secondary education, she wanted to become a teacher and attended the Anglican Women Teachers Training College, Benin city from 1965 to 1968. Upon completion, she worked as a primary school teacher at various schools, including Ologbo Primary School in Benin City, Army Children’s School in Kaduna, and Nigeria Baptist Convention school in Uzebu.

While teaching, she developed a keen interest in sports, fitness, and health. She attended the Michael Imoudu College of Physical and Health Education in Afuze, Bendel State, and obtained her Diploma in Physical Education in 1974. Upon graduation, she was appointed to the Midwest State Sports Council, where she was involved in national sports festivals and was appointed chaperone for the girls of the Midwest contingent. She was instrumental in establishing the Ogbe Hard Court International Tennis Championship (an ATP Tour tournament). She went on to teach at Edaiken Grammar School, Okhuaihe, Orhionmwon LGA.

In 1975, she married Dr. Samuel Uwa Osemota, of blessed memory. The following year, she went to the United States of America to join her husband, where she furthered her education. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science with a Major in Education and a minor in Library Science in 1979. Then, she obtained her master’s in library and information science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1980. 

Upon concluding their scholarly pursuits, Mummy and her husband embraced a new chapter in Nigeria in 1980, where they were instrumental in the development of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi in the erstwhile Bendel State. During her tenure as Deputy Chief Librarian until 1998, Lucy was pivotal in enabling a multitude of Orhua’s secondary school alumni and her Sunday school protégés to pursue tertiary education within this establishment, thereby fostering their growth into seasoned professionals across diverse disciplines.

n 1998, Lucy embarked on a sabbatical to the United States, where she distinguished herself as a visiting professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. Subsequently, she relocated to South Florida to assume the role of Assistant Professor and Reference Librarian at Florida Memorial University, becoming a vital member of their academic community. Additionally, she lent her expertise on a part-time basis to the Miami-Dade County Public Library System and DeVry University. 

In these capacities, she was instrumental in facilitating the admission and scholarship acquisition of international students. Beyond her professional duties, Lucy extended her care to African students, offering them not just guidance but also a home away from home during their academic breaks. 

Throughout her career, she received numerous awards that recognized her outstanding excellence, hard work, and kindness. Some of these awards include FMU’s Outstanding Academic Librarian Award, FMU’s Academic Librarian of the Year (multiple times), Devry’s President’s Award, and SEFLIN’s Vista Award. She created a scholarship fund in her father’s name to sponsor the college education for the best secondary school student from Orhua. Coincidentally, the most recent recipient is a girl, a Nursing student at Edo State University, Uzairue.

Motivated by her devotion to Christ, her affection for children, and her vocation as an educator, she took on the role of a Sunday school teacher early on. In Auchi, she led the children’s ministry and served as the head Sunday school teacher at All Saints Anglican Church, Auchi. She taught children to be raised in the nurture and admonition of Christ. As a dedicated participant in Nigeria’s Children Evangelical Ministry, her commitment to spiritual education was unwavering. This dedication continued unabated in South Florida, where she engaged with the youth at Pembroke Road Baptist Church, instilling values and lessons that endure in her students to this day.

In the tranquil moments away from her professional commitments, Mommy found joy in life’s simple pleasures—calling friends and relatives to check on them, traveling, and cherishing every opportunity to bask in the company of her children and grandchildren.

Mummy maintained her zeal for athletics, fitness and well-being. She participated in yoga sessions at the Pembroke Road Baptist Church and was committed to a daily regimen of walking no fewer than 10,000 steps, often at Broward College South Campus Park and occasionally along the Hollywood Beach boardwalk. While exercising, she always listened to the Mountain of Fire prayer line, singing praises to God. It was during her last of these walks, while praying and praising God, that He decided to call her home.

Lucy reigns as the first in many areas. She was truly a female trailblazer and a magnificent teacher. Her career as a teacher and librarian solidified her commitment to making the world a better place. She inspired her children, students, and all lives she touched to strive for excellence in all their endeavors. She instilled in her family and everyone around her a desire to search for truth, knowledge, and a willingness to share their talents, knowledge, and experience with the world. 

Above all, she desired to foster a fervent passion for Christ in everyone she met. All who had the blessing of knowing her can attest that she inspired each person she encountered, which is why many affectionately call her “Mummy.” She is a living example of how knowledge belongs to everyone, even a little girl from a village in Nigeria—no, especially to a little girl from a village in Nigeria. 

She is survived by her six biological children, thirteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, brothers, sisters, cousins, and thousands of adoptive children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, and well-wishers.

She touched the lives of so many, and she will be sorely missed by all.