Vivian Ogu Biography, Education, Career, Controversies, And Death

Vivian Uchechi Ogu was born in Benin City on April 1, 1995, to the catholic family of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ogu of Enyiogugu in Aboh-Mbaise Local government area of Imo State. She was the second of four children.

Vivian Ogu Profile

Name	Vivian Ogu
Real Name	Vivian Uchechi Ogu
Date of Birth	1 April 1995
Date of Death	15 November 2009 (14 years )
State of Origin	Edo State
Tribe	Igbo
Nationality	Nigerian
Religion	Christianity
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Educational Background

During her childhood, Vivian attended Air Force Nursery and Primary School, where she quickly stood out as the most intelligent pupil in her class. She was an active member of St. Paul Catholic Church on Airport Road in Benin City. In her parish, she served as a member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, the choir mistress of the children’s choir, and the president of the Holy Childhood Association. She made a significant impact both at the parish and Archdiocesan levels.

Career

As the president of the Holy Childhood Association, even at the age of nine, Vivian demonstrated exceptional leadership. She mobilized funds to pay the bills of many underprivileged children at the Central Hospital in Benin City. Vivian organized numerous visits to orphanage homes, where her presence brought comfort to the lives of many impoverished orphans. She was also a renowned preacher, inspiring and mentoring numerous children and youths in her parish and school to follow the path of holiness and defend the dignity of virginity. She looked up to St. Maria Goretti, her favorite saint.

By the age of thirteen, Vivian had already started developing her commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Remarkably, she had reached the 16th chapter of the Gospel before her untimely death. She was in Senior Secondary II at Greater Tomorrow Secondary School, where she also served as the assistant prayer leader.

Controversies

Vivian Uchechi Ogu’s life and death have been the subject of various controversies, sparking discussions on faith, martyrdom, and ethical dilemmas.

Personal Life

Vivian was born on April 1, 1995, into the devout Catholic family of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ogu in Benin City, Nigeria. She was the second child among four siblings, which undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping her values and beliefs.

Death

On November 15, 2009, after delivering a sermon on purity, virginity, and martyrdom to her fellow children in the church, Vivian had the chance to put her words into action. That evening, armed robbers invaded her family’s home and later took her to a nearby bush, attempting to rape her. In a heroic display of courage and conviction, she vehemently refused to be violated and opted to be shot instead. Tragically, she was martyred.

In recognition of her heroism, the government of Edo State granted the land where Vivian Ogu was martyred to the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City. Additionally, the local government council of Ikpoba Okha officially named the street where she was killed “Vivian Ogu.” On September 17, 2019, the Edo State government established the Vivian Ogu Sexual Assault Referral Centre to provide services and support to survivors of sexual assault in the state.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City continues to celebrate a Memorial Day for Vivian Ogu every year on November 15th. The Vivian Ogu Movement, inaugurated in 2014 by the Catholic Archbishop of Benin, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, is tasked with promoting her exemplary life and heroic death as an inspiration to others. They are also responsible for preserving and developing the land where she was martyred.

In October 2019, the Holy Father Pope Francis recognized Vivian Ogu as one of twenty-five saint figures selected globally to serve as heroic missionary examples for the entire world. This acknowledgment led to a national celebration of the extraordinary missionary month of October in Nigeria, with the entire Catholic Church gathering at the Vivian Ogu Animation Centre (VOMAC) on October 26, 2019.