Reality TV star and Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has penned a heartfelt tribute to her late sister, Ruth Itabor, while celebrating her child’s 6th birthday.
In a deeply emotional Instagram post, Phyna described her sister as more than family; calling her a confidant, safe place, protector, and a quiet strength in every storm.
“Ruth was more than a sister; she was a confidant, a safe place, a protector, and a quiet strength in every storm. Her laughter had a way of softening the hardest moments, and her kindness wasn’t something she performed; it was who she was to her core”, Phyna wrote.
The reality star revealed how much her sister’s love shaped her life, adding that losing her created an irreplaceable void. “Losing her left a space that no one else can ever fill, but loving her left an imprint that can never fade”, she noted.
Phyna also celebrated her late sister’s child, who turned six, showering the young boy with prayers and affirmations.
“Happy Birthday to this bright, growing star! You carry a piece of your mother’s light, and watching you become your own person is a blessing”, she added.
The actress further reflected on her own journey since finding fame, thanking her fans for standing by her through “noise and silence, in celebration and in controversy, in mistakes and in milestones.”
This tribute comes weeks after Phyna’s family suffered a tragic loss.
In August, she had publicly called out billionaire Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Group, accusing them of influencing police investigations after a company truck was involved in an accident that claimed her sister’s life.
Despite the group’s assurance of medical care and compensation, Ruth sadly passed away on August 31st.
For Phyna, the memory of her sister continues to live on, not just through cherished memories, but through her child, who now represents the enduring legacy of a life cut short.
