Tell us a little about your childhood.
I was born in Oguta, Imo State, to the family of Alphonsus Ukachukwu from Oguta Ameshi in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
I began my educational pursuit at Oguta Primary School, Imo State. Thereafter, I proceeded to Federal Government Girls’ College, Gusau, Zamfara State, where I obtained my Senior Secondary School Certificate.
I subsequently enrolled at Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, to study Quantity Surveying and obtained an Ordinary National Diploma.
I went on to obtain a certificate in Computer Science from Business Solution International, Kano.
I was later admitted to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, where I studied Quantity Surveying and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree.
I completed her mandatory National Youth Service Corps in Abuja, serving as a Quantity Surveyor in the Maintenance Unit at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
I then gained admission to the University of Calabar, where I obtained a Master’s in Business Administration.
I proceeded to ABU, Zaria, where I obtained another Master’s degree in Facility Management, and later attended Glasgow Caledonian University for her Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Management, specializing in Public-Private Partnerships and most recently the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.
You are married to a king. How has it been?
Yes, I am indeed married to a king. My husband is His Royal Majesty, Eze Sir Ifeanyi Eke. So, I am a queen. We have been married for over two decades, since 2001. He is a realtor from Lokpanta in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. Our marriage is blessed with children.
How did you two meet?
The memory of that maiden meeting at the early morning mass is still as fresh as the day it happened. As expected, there was nothing intentional about my appearance. Who dares put on bathroom slippers to a morning mass with hopes of meeting a life partner?
But presto! There he was: tall, blazing, handsome, calm and collected. What was he even doing in church that morning in November 2000? What was a fine guy looking for in church? He looked too comfortable to bother about that level of commitment to God.
“Sis, how are you?” he asked, as he approached me with that imposing breathtaking figure. “I am fine,” I replied. “You’ve not been coming to church for some time now.”
He said “Oh, I took ill. I had typhoid.” I explained. “Okay. Take water or fluid to flush your system. Eat well and take good care of yourself.” He advised as we parted and left the church after that 6 am morning mass.
I left wondering how he had noticed my absence. Anyway, I felt it was not that important. Sure, I was ripe for marriage at the time, and working in the banking industry. But there was no way I could imagine a man like that thought otherwise of me.
A couple of days following that maiden conversation, he came up to me again after a morning mass.
“I want to marry you.” He said, after a short exchange of pleasantries, throwing me off balance. First of all, he is a dashing handsome man. But the bad news was that we were in Abuja, which called for caution. What would a guy that fine is looking for in me? I was quite skeptical.
Then, he was not this big. He was simply a cynosure of all eyes. Nonetheless, he persisted in his supposed search for a life partner in me I spoke to one of my confidantes about the encounter
“No!” she began, “Don’t marry these Abuja men o. Don’t take him seriously,” she admonished.
That was how that meeting ended. As he persisted in his request, I told him that I needed to pray about it. Each time I have come to church in the last few months, I went to the Blessed Sacrament to pray, asking Mother Mary to give me a sign of whom to marry. I want a lady who loves the Lord and reveres Him. God has given me the sign I want, and you are the one. In a space of a few months, his desire to see my people was fulfilled.
By April of 2001, we had our traditional marriage, which was followed by the white wedding in October of the same year.
How would you describe him?
His Royal Majesty, my husband, embodies the true essence of fatherhood. He is a guiding light, a source of unwavering support, and a wellspring of love and inspiration. Witnessing his strength as a family pillar and a dedicated leader inspires me every day.
How do you manage the demands of your professional life while maintaining a fulfilling family life?
Setting boundaries, delegating tasks when appropriate, and being fully present in whatever I’m doing, whether it’s a work project or family time, helps maintain balance for me. My advice for couples would be to prioritize self-care, be flexible, have a strong support system from family, and not be afraid to ask for help when needed.
What has been the biggest influence on your career growth?
The most significant influence on my career path has been my insatiable desire for knowledge and continuous improvement.
This drive led me to pursue multiple advanced degrees. Each educational experience has broadened my perspective and enhanced my ability to tackle complex challenges in the construction and infrastructure sectors.
