Ima Udofia

Ima Akang Udofia was born on April 1, 1941, in the Village of Ikot Anwana to the late Chief Akang
and Adiaha Okoro Akang. Ima’s strong and beloved mother raised her and was a tremendous and
lasting influence, given that her father passed away when she was 5 years old. Ima was challenged
to set aside some customs to avoid potential pitfalls. She embraced her mother’s strong will and
fortitude to attend school. Together, they deftly avoided Ima entering into an arranged marriage
during her teenage years, creating space to acquire foundational childhood education. Ima’s
maiden family extended past the village of Ikot Anwana into the broader township of Ukpom
Anwana, where her dear Aunt (Tity) aided in Ima’s care and enjoyed helping raise her, alongside
her own four children.
From her immediate maiden family, Ima is predeceased by her two older siblings: (Mary & Mbeke,
fondly known as Eka Asuquo & Eka Edet) and her younger brother (Okori): her beloved late
nephews (Asuquo, Edet), and her late nieces (Bessie,), her Aunt (Tity)and her first cousin
(Efiong). Left to cherish her memories are nephews and niece, (Elizabeth, Glory, Idung, Nsima, Enoima) and
her surviving first cousins, (Sunday, Okon, Alice).
Ima’s predeceased relatives in marriage include her late husband, Ikpe Benjamin, and his siblings,
(brothers- Etim, James, Mboho) and sister (Mary Thompson). Ima is survived by her brother in laws
(Amos, Uwem).
Ima’s unrelenting love and devotion to her maiden family and relatives became a core and
underpinning commitment to provide support.
Ima’s immediate and surviving family includes: four sons (wives)- Uduak (Traci), Nkere(Naureen),
Anietie (Valerie), and Ekom (Melissa); Ten grandchildren-Indhira, Akang, Aisha, Noah, Javen, Gabe,
Isiah, Imanuel, Nahlia, Naomi; four great grandchildren-Ariana, , Nyla, Kaisen, Navi. Serving as the
Matriarch for her growing family was her passion and a great source of daily joy!
Ima and her late husband for 62 years, Ikpe, were deeply connected in life and reinforcing partners
in their marriage and journey in life together. They had a shared vision on education, continuing to
grow and advance, keeping family first, and a shared commitment supporting their siblings and
others to advance in life. Their shared empathy and drive to advance and support communities in
need led to major and lasting legacies. Ima was the catalyst and activist, leaving Ikpe sometimes
to be the diplomat.
Along with raising four successful sons and a growing family as a united team, they made time to
lead and support: the immigration of 20+ families and relatives to the US, often housing them in
their home for months; led the effort and invested in educational resources for women.
Co-founded the new Christ the King Lutheran Church in Uruk Uso and spurred the spread of the Wisconsin Lutheran Synod across West Africa; founded Ima Abasi International and built health and wellness clinics; installed water pumps for clean water in the villages, provided resources for education and women networks in the communities of their home country, Nigeria. Ima’s ongoing legacy will continue with Ima Abasi International and through her memoir, which she authored in 2000.

Memorial gifts to the Ima and Ikpe Udofia Memorial Account will go towards sustaining the ImaAbasi Center for Better Living Health Clinic in Uruk Uso, Nigeria.

Ima and Ikpe Udofia Memorial Account
Bank of America
Account: ending in 8450
560 Valley road
Upper Montclair , NJ 07043

ImaAbasi International
Ima and Ikpe Udofia founded ImaAbasi International in 2003, a 501bC3 certified faith-based organization with the mission to help women and children with healthcare and wellness services in the underserved villages and rural Nigeria. This passion for using their means and seeking to lift-up others in need using ImaAbasi has been a twenty plus year mission. The Center for Better Living was built in Ikpe’s family home village of Uruk Uso in 2004, followed by water reclamation projects in numerous villages including Imas’s home village of Ikot Akwana. The Center provides healthcare services and educational training and enrichment programs for women and youth and has helped and lifted many lives. Sustaining the mission of ImaAbasi into the next generation is a legacy that Ima and Ikpe championed. This legacy extends to other community advancement projects including their beloved Christ The King Lutheran Church in Uruk Uso which Ima and Ikpe were co-founders.

Send donations via check to ad below in photo gallery or via Venmo. ImaAbasi-Foundation

LIVE STREAM OF THE SERVICES AT GRACE LUTHERAN BELOW
CLICK HERE: Christian Funeral Service for Ima Udofia