The story of Dr Constance
M’Maneh Sira Saronwiyo at seventy five is a tale worth telling  because of its intrinsic historical, motivating and developmental values. It is indeed, the moving account of a prime mover in the educational enterprise, an outstanding teacher/lecturer, an administrator par excellence, a promoter of science education, a nation-builder, selfless philanthropist, a social mobiliser and above all an “excellent pathfinder” of the “League of Women First” in Ogoni and Rivers State.
As Carr correctly contends in his book, What is History? Published in 1961, the role of great man (woman) in history should not be underestimated or denied.
Born on the 9th March 1937 at Bien Gwara in Babbe Clan of Khana  local government area of Rivers State, to chief Hon . fihto M.A. Saronwiyo, first Ogoni legislator to Eastern House of Assembly and Sylvana Korneh Saronwinyo, she  is a crown Princess as her grand father was the first Gbenemene of Babbe clan. A proud mother of four boys (though the third one died at the age of 24 in 1997) and four grand children was married to Late Dr. George Azubuike Wigwe of Umule, Aba. But she lacked the muscles to fight against the “Sirah Culture” imposed on her by, the custom of Ogoni. Her parents protested and cornpelled her to observe it by dropping her husband’s name and adopt her maiden name.
The young Constance was attended several primary schools, from 1946 to 1952. She also attended Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls School Elelenwo (1953-1957), Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Enugu (1958- 1961); Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone (affiliated to University of Durham, England, U.K) (1962-1966), College of Medicine, University of Benin 1975-1977, capping her academic exploit with a Ph.D in Chemical Pathology from University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1981.
That Dr. Constance M.S. Saronwiyo rose to be a reputable achiever” which was -very rare in her days especially as a woman is not surprising.  Preponderance of evidence indicate that she was not only a high-flier who led her class mates throughout the period of her search for the “golden fleece”.
Hence, the White missionary teachers’ scholarships for her secondary and tertiary education as it was clear that she was not a gift to be thrown away on the flimsy ground of culture. It would be recalled that it was the Ogoni culture during the days of Constance not to train girl child beyond primary school. She triumphantly emerged on the Educational ladder as the first Ogoni girl to attend secondary school in 1953 and the first Ogoni female graduate in 1966.
Dr Constance M.S. Saronwiyo, determined with the zeal and zest to meaningfully contribute to the advancement of mankind, started her eventful work career in 1958  as a teacher in Primary School. She also  taught In Anglican Girls’ School, Ovom, Aba as a Science teacher till the outbreak of the. Nigerian. Civil War (1967- 1970)  and the Birabi Memorial Grammar School (B.MG.S) Bori after the Nigerian Civil War to 1971. In 1971, she was appointed the foundation principal of the First Girls’ Secondary School in Ogoni land, Marian High School, Bane. She also served in the then Rivers State College of Science and Technology as a foundation Chemistry lecturer.  She later picked up an appointment with the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Medical School to teach Anatomy.
In these capacities, she left an enviable track record as a thorugh and competent teacher/lecturer, remarkable administrator and an astute, exemplary and fine researcher. For instance, a s pioneer woman science teacher east of the Niger, she established science laboratories in Post Primary Schools of then Eastern Region. Even as a foundation Principal of the First Girls’ school in Ogoni, she devoted her energies to the growth of women’s education in Ogoni in particular and Rivers State in general.
Due to her leadership acumen, she was entrusted with numerous positions of trust and responsibility in several emerging institutions across the new state. For example, she was appointed in 1971 to serve as a member in the Emeritus led first Board of 1972.
Again, when the first Argungu Festival was held in then Sakata State and the First Arts Culture Festival was held in then Kaduna State in 1972, Dr. Constance was appointed by the Military Governor of Rivers State, Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff (28 May 1967- July 1975), to’ lead the state contingents. Rivers State came first. As a result of this uncommon feat she has raked into her kitty, she was again relied upon to represent Rivers State in the National Council for Arts and Culture which was later called the Committee for Nigeria’s participation in the famous FESTAC ‘77. She was the head of the Popular Dressing Committee for three years, she masterfully and artistically crafted the Nigerian dressing akin to the popular Ogoni Bogo-koo art and Nigeria clinched the first prize of gong (now Gold Medal) in the festival.
Her legacies as a university don are also worthwhile and worthy of emulation. She made ground breaking researches and have them published in the Tropical Medicinal Journal, a well celebrated scholarly Science Journal to deepen the frontier of knowledge. Such prominent scholarly works include, “Contraceptive values of Indigenous Plants”, “Indigenous Herbs in Breast Cancer control”.
Owing to her exceptional performance and a landmark role in human capacity building, Late Chief (Senator) Melford Obiene Okilo upon assuming office on 1st October, 1979 appointed her a special duties commissioner in charge of Higher Education, Science and Technology, scholarship and Women Affairs from 1979 to 1982 and later given the portfolio of Economic Development and Planning, a position she held until .the Military seized power on 31st December, 1983. Even when the appointment coincided with her travelling abroad for her fellowship, the humble, unassuming and fine scholar accepted the appointment. She, therefore, have a place in history as the first female to be appointed into the exalted office of Commissioner in Rivers State (both old and new).
We must note that she convinced the governor: on the urgent need to upgrade the College of Arts and Science to a University status and the Rivers State College of Education to the status of a degree awarding institution. The college of Arts and Science was upgraded and named University of Science and Technology, the Premier University of Science and Technology in Nigeria.
Likewise, the Rivers State College of Education became a degree awarding institution (affiliated to the Premier University in Nigeria, University of Ibadan). All these took place during her tenure.
It also has to be noted that she used her revered position of Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning which oversees labour and employment in the State to better the lot of women.
It is worthy to add that in order to compliment government’s efforts and her desire to impact positively on humanity, she  established the first private school in Ogoni land in 1980. The School, Tuanu Daycare Centre, situated at Bori, no doubt contributed hugely to the educational and man power development of Ogoni in particular and Rivers State in general.
As  recognition of her star and pioneering roles, Constance Saronwiyo was honoured by the late King Mark Tsaro Igbara with the prestigious chieftaincy title of Tuago Pya Neewa_(meaning First Eagle Lady) in  1982. She truly demystified the saying that “women’s education ends in the kitchen” and proved beyond all reasonable doubt that “when you educate a woman, you educate the nation”.
The life of the widely travelled Tuago Pya Neewa at Seventy Five has been a packed full one. She has played different institutional roles in the society leading largely to human capacity development, enlightenment, and liberation of all mankind. She had served the Federal Government on Committees of Experts for National/Economy /Planning (1981-1983) the National Council  on statistics and Rivers State Elders Council. She is presently a member of the University’s 11th Governing Council.
A selfless philanthropist and great humanist, Sira SAronyiwo has brought light, hoe and succor into the darkest homes today through a private scholarships scheme floated to assist the downtrodden in the society. Empowerment of Rivers women through co-operative societies and Micro Finance Agencies.
She has also served on Diocesan Boards and represented several Dioceses as General Synod delegates of church of Nigeria Anglican Communion 1991-2003. Thus, we cannot afford to deny her a place of honour in history or”Hall of Fame”. But to celebrate and appreciate her for her sterling leadership qualities especially now that there are many leaders but practically too little leadership to show.
On this beautiful note we join her these of her beloved family friends, well wishers and the good people of Rivers State to felicitate with this rare icon and great achiever of our times as she clocks 75.
N-Ue teaches History at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt.

Samuel Uebari N-Ue