In a report by the Vanguard, former Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Sir Rowland Owie, shared an emotional tribute to his late wife, Lady Helen Owie, over the weekend, crediting her with transforming his life in deeply personal and spiritual ways.

Speaking to journalists at the Benin Airport before the arrival of her remains from Abuja, Owie recounted the significant influence his wife had on him throughout their 51 years of marriage.

Lady Helen Owie, who passed away in Abuja two weeks ago, was honored upon her arrival in Benin by members of the Knight of St. John International, a Catholic knighthood organization.

In a heartfelt interaction with the press, Owie revealed that his wife’s humility and faith were instrumental in pulling him away from occult associations and guiding him towards a more family-oriented and spiritually grounded life.

Owie reflected on the profound transformation he underwent due to her presence.

Sir Rowland Owie described his late wife, Lady Helen Owie, as far more than just a spouse—she was, in his words, “a wife, a sister and a mother.”

Reflecting on their 51-year relationship, he credited her with bringing stability and warmth into his life, which had previously been marked by emotional distance and restlessness.

“She took me from the street to the house,” he said, illustrating how her presence shifted him from a life lived away from home to one rooted in family.

Before Helen came into his life, Owie admitted that he avoided being at home.

“Before she came, Motel Benin Plaza was my home,” he revealed, indicating how disconnected he had been from domestic life.

He shared his belief that a strained household can drive a man away: “A man that does not have a good home cannot go home because a bad word that comes from a woman’s mouth sends him outside.”

However, Helen’s presence transformed that dynamic. “Within ten years, she removed me from the street, she respected me and built unity among my children, my family and my mother,” he stated, highlighting how she helped heal and unify the family.

Owie, the only surviving child out of his mother’s eleven, spoke about the emotional legacy his mother left him and how Helen continued it.

His mother, he explained, had endured the sorrow of losing ten children and instilled in him a deep sense of love and compassion. Helen embraced that spirit when she joined the family.

“She was a daughter-in-law to my mother who was compassionate, she came to the family to show that compassion,” he noted.

He also reflected on her gentle nature and the emotional support she offered during tough moments.

He recalled how she could sense his distress after a long day and would comfort him. “When I return from work and I look not happy, she will put her hand on my back and say, daddy, what is the matter, relax, everything will be fine,” he said, remembering her calming influence with deep affection.

A particularly notable part of Owie’s reflection was his admission that before Helen came into his life, he had been involved in multiple secret societies.

However, her unwavering love and commitment gradually helped him turn away from those paths.

“By the time she came into my life, I belonged to several secret societies, she followed me to four,” he said, emphasizing her loyalty.

“But each time she was going with me, she would tell my dad, not that I am interested but because I love him, I will obey before I now left all.”

Owie also described his late wife as a deeply spiritual woman with a strong devotion to her faith.

“She is a devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she has no time to quarrel,” he said, admiring her peaceful nature.

Even in times of disagreement, her calmness prevailed. “Even when I quarrel, she will say daddy forget about it.”

He went on to recount how their first forty years of marriage were healthy and without any serious hospital visits.

However, the past eleven years were marked by severe health struggles, particularly with fluctuating blood sugar levels.

“Fourty years of our marriage, we never went to the hospital one day but these last eleven years have been terrible,” Owie said, highlighting the toll her illness had taken on both of them.

“In the morning, they will say the sugar is high; in the afternoon, they will say the sugar is low,” he explained. Despite the challenges, his faith remains strong.

“But I know Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ will take care of her,” he concluded.

Sir Rowland Owie’s tribute painted a picture of a devoted wife whose quiet strength, humility, and religious conviction not only created a nurturing family environment but also saved a man from a path of spiritual darkness and emotional distance.

Helen Owie was remembered as more than just a spouse—she was a source of transformation and peace, and her loss is one that resonates deeply with her family and community.