By Evelyn Onyilo, President/Founder, Initiative for Women’s Accelerated Development in Africa (INWOAD)
The late Hon. Dr. Jophia Nanker Gupar was more than a sister and friend to Evelyn Onyilo. She was an ally, confidant and trusted family member, united with her by a shared vision of a society where women and young girls thrive in equity, fairness and justice.
Their bond of sisterhood and shared purpose grew stronger through the years until 2023, when leukemia struck.
Jophia fought bravely, surrounded by the love, prayers and support of family and friends. When the disease was defeated, they rejoiced and thanked God. But months later, it returned.
Once again, Jophia chose courage over fear.
She held firmly to her faith and fought until the very end. Even while battling the illness, she continued with her assignments and pursued her dreams, including contesting the House of Representatives primaries for the Pankshin, Kanam and Kanke (PKK) Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
For Onyilo, that determination captured the essence of Jophia’s character.
“That was your kind of indomitable spirit,” she recalls.
Her greatest consolation is that Jophia lived fully and remained committed to her faith in Christ.
“We are grateful to God, for He gave you another chance to life and you lived it well,” Onyilo says.
Today, her death has created a painful vacuum among her siblings, friends, colleagues and the wider gender-equality community. Yet, Onyilo believes God will bring comfort, peace and joy to those she left behind.
As Jophia is laid to rest, her sister and friend offers a final prayer:
“May the host of heavenly angels welcome you. Rest well in the bosom of the Lord where there is no sickness, pain and sorrow.”
Hon. Dr. Jophia Nanker Gupar may be gone, but her courage, faith, service and commitment to women and girls will remain part of the legacy she leaves behind.
Adieu, my dear sister.