By Ukorebi Esien | September 8, 2026
CALABAR — In a hall filled with high-ranking legal practitioners, university professors, corporate executives, and senior government officials gathered for the historic unveiling of Leading Ladies: 100 Most Influential Women in Cross River State, one woman’s presence served as a quiet yet powerful reminder of what true influence looks like.
She did not arrive with academic titles preceding her name, nor did she hold a seat in parliament. Yet, when Mrs. Comfort Omopeh Ade—affectionately known across Northern Cross River as Mama Otogbo—walked into the hall, the State Library venue for the event went agog with shouts and jubilation. It was indeed a celebration of a heroine whose lifestyle has lit the pathway for many.
For many who knew Mama Otogbo, it wasn't a surprise that she was being celebrated alongside the state’s elite; her presence made the room resonate with a special sense of pride and validation. It validated the fact that the organizers didn't select people close to them or people with deep pockets, but rather that the 100 leading ladies are actually influential, each in their own corners of endeavor.
Born in the early 1950s to the family of the late Mr. Michael Ade Osha and the late Mrs. Elizabeth Achi, Mama Otogbo hails from Afrike in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State. Her life journey stands as a masterclass in resilience, grassroots impact, and the indomitable African matriarchal spirit. Widowed early in life, she refused to let hardship dictate the fate of her family. Instead, she turned to petty trading and small-scale farming, eventually establishing herself in Ogoja and its environs as the creator of the town’s most famous moi-moi.
For decades, her modest business has been more than a source of livelihood; it has been a sanctuary for her community. From her earnings, she single-handedly put her children through school, sacrificing her own desires to ensure the next generation gained the formal education she was denied.
Beyond her immediate family, Mama Otogbo became a cornerstone of local philanthropy. She is widely celebrated for hosting the annual "Mama Otogbo Free Moi-Moi Breakfast Party," a neighborhood tradition that brings together youths, women, and the less privileged for food, fellowship, and joy.
Her inclusion in the landmark compendium, a joint project by the Cross River State Library Board and Profiles & Biographies, underscores a deliberate shift away from purely elitist awards toward celebrating authentic, grassroots impact.
Speaking at the public presentation in Calabar, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Ekanem Ikpi Braid, commended the editorial committee for recognizing unsung heroines from rural communities rather than limiting honors to top political or academic figures.
"Reach out to the rural areas and see women there that are struggling and recognize them too, so that it doesn't turn to an elitist thing," Prof. Braid urged. "Let it go down to the grassroots."
That sentiment was echoed by Prof. Margaret Mombel Opiah, a Professor of Nursing at the University of Calabar and Chairman of the Governing Council at the College of Nursing Sciences, Itigidi. Attending the event to celebrate Mama Otogbo, Prof. Opiah noted that true influence cannot be measured by certificates alone.
"For Mama to be picked as one of the 100 leading and influential women in Cross River State, you know that education is not all," Prof. Opiah remarked. "It is the life you live with other people, the impact you make in their lives, and the way you train your children from nothing to where they are now. She has made a mark in the state and the country. She is worth celebrating."
Also reacting, Comrade Emmanuel Olayi, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Cross River State Council) and Mama Otogbo’s son, expressed profound gratitude to the organizers for finding Mama worthy of the honor. He equally used the opportunity to appreciate Mama Otogbo for her unconditional love, support, and guidance to himself and his siblings, praying that the Lord blesses and keeps Mama and all other women of good conscience.
Unlike many biographical compilations where inclusion requires financial sponsorship, organizers emphasized that the 100 women selected were chosen purely on merit, character, and societal contribution, with no nominee paying to be featured.
Overwhelmed with gratitude as she received her honor, the matriarch expressed her joy in simple, heartfelt words.
"My body do me fine say I born pikin where fine," Mama Otogbo shared, expressing her delight at seeing her sacrifices yield fruit. "I dey very happy. I thank the Governor, I thank his wife, everybody... I no know say I go reach here. Na God make I don reach here today."
As Cross River State moves to document its history and inspire young girls across its 18 local government areas, Mama Otogbo’s story stands as a beacon of hope. From her roots in Afrike, Bekwarra, to the grand stage in Calabar, her story tells every young woman in every rural market that greatness does not require a title—only a servant’s heart, unwavering discipline, and the courage to build something lasting out of life's smallest beginnings.
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