TRIBUTES TO ‘WONDERFUL YOUNG WOMAN’
STUDENT DIED IN CAR CRASH DAYS AFTER HER FATHER’S FUNERAL
FAMILY and friends gathered in a park to pay tribute to a woman killed in a car crash.
Nkechi Jessica Ugo, a student at De Montfort University, died in the crash in Nigeria in March, days after her father’s funeral.
Balloons were released from Abbey Park, Leicester, on Saturday to mark what would have been Nkechi’s 21st birthday. Her sister, Jennifer, said: “She was a selfless person. She had grown up to be a really wonderful young woman.”
FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a “wonderful” university student who died in a car crash, days after she had laid her father to rest.
Nkechi Jessica Ugo was approaching the end of her studies at De Montfort University and was hoping to realise her dream of becoming a journalist when she was killed in the collision.
She and other members of the family, who live in Belgrave, Leicester, had travelled to Nigeria in March to lay her father to rest after he had died of cancer in December, aged 62.
Days after the funeral, 20-year-old Nkechi, who was widely known as Jessica, died in a crash that left two of her sisters in comas.
Her loved ones and friends gathered in Abbey Park on Saturday to mark what would have been her 21st birthday.
Nkechi’s sister, 27-year-old Jennifer, who is still recovering from her injuries, said: “Two of us were in a coma and did not know we had lost her until we woke up.
“Nobody expected us to come out of it alive. She didn’t, but we did.
“She had been hoping to have a big 21st birthday party with her family and friends.
“So we wanted to bring everyone together on the day to give her what she wanted and to say goodbye.
“I know she was watching us and saw how much people love her.
“She was a selfless person. She had grown up to be a really wonderful young woman.
“If you asked her for help with something, even if you thought it was an impossible situation, she would find a way.
“She wanted so much to be a journalist and was applying to the BBC as a graduate trainee.
“She was smart – the smartest in our family – and hardworking, and gave everything she did 100 per cent. She would have been a brilliant journalist.
“She had also started a business selling beauty products and makeup, and that was going so well. She had so many plans.
“She went to Nigeria for the burial of our dad and she never came back.”
Saturday’s memorial event, which saw people wearing white or gold tops, culminated in the release of balloons of the same colours.
Jennifer said white had been chosen to represent her sister’s purity’ and gold because she was a princess who was known for her glamour and love of gold jewellery.
Jessica was an active member of an association for Nigerian people, called Ndi Igbo Leicestershire.
Its vice-president, Chizor Onwuegbute, said: “Jessica was a special young lady and well-loved within the Igbo community here in Leicester.
“It is painfully sad that she was called to the glory of God so soon.
“Her parents are members of Ndi Igbo Leicestershire, whose members are from Igbo descendants in Nigeria.
“Here in Leicester we, celebrate New Yam festival annually and Jessica has always participated during this celebration by dancing or assisting with organising and entertainment.
“Jessica, your elegance and radiance from your smile lit up the room when you walked in and you showed respect to all.
“In your short life you touched both young and old and left examples worthy of emulation to other young people.
“Jessica, I bid you farewell until we meet to part no more. Sleep well, my darling girl.
“May Almighty God continue to comfort your entire family and give them healing.”
A collection for the family is running online: