…8 Days Mourning Period Commences As ONELGA Markets, Council Secretariat Remain Closed
…Monarch Died In Omoku – Anonymous
…As Family Keeps Mum On Successor
There is sunset at dawn in Ogba Kingdom, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) following the passage of Nigeria’s longest-serving monarch, Oba (Eze Ogba) Chukuemela Nnam Obi II, OON, DSSRS, AP, JP, Oba of Ogbaland.
The news of his death was announced by Eze Iyasara and Traditional Prime Minister of Ogbaland, His Royal Highness, Eze Louis Chukwudi Ajie JP, on Friday, April 30, 2021.
In a statement issued after addressing traditional rulers, Chiefs, Elders, opinion leaders, political class and people of ONELGA at Oba’s Palace, Omoku to break the sad news, Eze Ajie told them that the revered leader of Ogba Kingdom has ‘travelled’.
“Although nobody knows when he (Oba) will come back, but he travelled at the age of 80 years having ruled Ogba Kingdom for 50 years and four months. As it is the tradition of Ogba people, the Oba (Eze Ogba) does not pass away but only travelled just as lion leaves the zoo”, said the Traditional Prime Minister.
In his remarks, the Eze Egi of Ogbaland, HRM, Eze Prof. UzornduNwokoma thanked the Almighty God for the good life the Eze Ogba lived before his journey and assured that despite the Ogba monarch’s transition, ONELGA will peaceful and united.
In his vote of thanks, the Crown Prince (Okpraeze Ogba), Barr. Nwachuku Nnam Obi, flanked by his siblings, Prince Ikechuku Nnam Obi, Prince (Hon) Uchechuku Nnam Obi, JP, Prince Nnamdi Nnam Obi and other Princes and Princesses, thanked the people of Ogba Ethnic Nationality of Rivers State for the love and support they had for his father since 1970 when he ascended the Eze Ogba throne, and prayed for such love and support for his successor and further called for peace and unity in ONELGA.
According to the Crown Prince, before the Ogba monarch took off to meet his creator, he had requested the people of Ogba Kingdom to always be their brother’s keepers by living in peace and unity and not allow any person(s) to disunite them as he will always be with them in spirit.
According to an official statement signed by the Media Aide to the Eze Ogba, Prince Charles Amadike-Otoboh, JP (MmbohKrikri), present at the ceremony were the Eze Ali Usomini II of Ogbaland, HRM, Eze (Dr.) Allen Osoh, JP and the Nze Obi of Egbema Kingdom, HRM, Eze EvaristusAmuda, JP.
Others are Eze Igburu of Ogbaland, HRH, Eze Chinedu, JP and the OnuezeKa Oba, Chief Azubuike Osiagor, among other prominent ONELGA traditional rulers, chiefs, elders, leaders of thought, security agencies, women and youths.
Meanwhile, an eight (8) days mourning period in honour of the Ogba monarch has commenced with the closure of Omoku Main Market and other markets within ONELGA with all flags (except Nigerian flag) to be flown at half-mast while condolence register has been opened at the Secretariat of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt; ONELGA Council Secretariat, Omoku; the Oba’s Palace, Omoku; Omoku Civic Centre; FCE (T) and other designated centers.
The statement added that other activities are to be announced later. When National Network sought to know the burial arrangement, and whether any one has been tipped to hold brief for the Oba as he has ‘travelled’ or possible successor in the event he fails to return from the journey, we were met with a brick wall as no one was willing to provide information.
Even a source who pleaded anonymity said nothing has been said about succession as Ogba tradition spelt out the mode and procedure of appointing an Oba in case of demise.
The source however hinted that the deceased monarch died in Omoku but could not disclose whether he died in the palace or hospital.
The Oba (Eze Ogba) of Ogbaland was a legendary royal father who etched his name in gold due to his leadership ingenuity.On Friday, December 19, 2020 the monarch took the world by storm with a double celebration of 80th birthday and 50 years on the throne, an event held in his Palace in Omoku that drew the high and mighty from Nigeria and beyond.
The man who was destined to shape and influence the Ogba kingdom was presented to mankind on 20th November, 1940 through the Royal Family of Umueze-Ogba, Umu-Okoya-Umuebe kindred of Ogba.
The father of His Eminence, Obuoha Obi of Umu Eze-Ogba (Umuebe) kindred in Omoku, was a Crown Prince of Ogbaland. His mother hailed from Umunkaru Kindred. The late Eminence was happily married to three wives (and blessed with thirty (30) lovely children.
Late Oba of Ogbaland had a royal birth and a royal spoon in his hand which he did not use until he adequately discovered himself via the instrumentality of education.
Hear his account in his autography: “In spite of his royal birth, the young Chukumela had a rather poor and humble background. Things were extremely austere and difficult for him. His Eminence waded through the muddy waters of life and at youth, faced the vicissitudes of life alone, abandoned to the buffeting winds of fate”.
The following observation clearly depicts the challenges faced by the young Chukumela Obi. His ‘destiny’, to use the veritable words of H.C. Dietrich, ‘was decided by cosmic roll of the dice, the whims of the stars, the vagrant breezes of fortune that blow from the windmills of the gods’.
Despite these fundamental challenges he went through sedentary education in 1952 at the Methodist School, Sabongari, Kano State where his exceptional brilliance made him to skip two classes. He continued his primary education outside kano and finished with distinction in 1959.
The challenges of life became excruciating for the young Chukumela in the early 1960 shortly after independence but he found solace in farming and fishing with which he sustained himself.
The Sancta Maria High School, Omoku became privileged to house this great king in the making as far back as 1962. As no one can light a candle and hide it under the table, the leadership qualities of the young Chukumela could not be hidden in Sancta Maria High School as he became a role model to all the students and was appointed first, the Labour Prefect and later, the Senior Prefect.
The outstanding qualities of young Chukumela prompted his Principal, Rev. Fr. G.B. Kilbride, to remark thus of the future king: “Chukumela Obi is a very remarkable boy who is being groomed by the fate of great suffering into a great office”. In 1966, Chukumela Obi passed the West African School Certificate Examination in flying colours and worked briefly at the Mandrel Oil Industrial Company, Port Harcourt until the civil war broke out in 1967.
Despite the dare challenges of the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War from 1967-1970, the young Chukumela survived the horrors of that war and graciously mounted the throne of his forefathers on 19th December, 1970, following the passage to eternity in April of the same year of his predecessor, Oba Wokoma Obi.
After the crowning and ascension to the ancient Ukpe throne, Chukumela Obi assumed the title of His Eminence, Chukumela Obi II, the Oba (Eze Ogba) of Ogbaland. His Eminence did not lose track of his humble background but was focused and worked hard to carve a niche for himself and posterity. Early in his life, he held the bull by the horn and shedded the benumbing socio-cultural psychosis that held his peers down to village fears, anxieties, myths and superstitions. His Eminence explored the meaning of life and tried to discover his place in the cosmos by properly understanding the meaning and essence of power. He cleverly came to the realization that all power ultimately belongs to God who giveth and taketh. No doubt, this is the beginning of wisdom.
His Eminence took exception to unguarded and illegal acquisition of power and detest blood-thirsty dictators and sit-tight anarchists who pose as teachers and messiahs.
These postures and peaceful dispositions stood out His Eminence, the Eze Ogba as a shining star in the African continent; yes, he totally believes in the ability of the black race and in the traditional institution as a potential vehicle for liberating his people from the shackles of ignorance and poverty which tended to put them in perpetual bondage.
As a mystic and traditionalist, His Eminence is in firm grip of the main import of man’s existence on planet earth. Basically, he believes that all material values are transient and must of necessity be subordinated to the undying will. Guided by the above, His Eminence, as much as possible, lives a simple and unobtrusive life and shuns avoidable extravagance and unbridled materialism. By his cosmic view of life, His Eminence lives in the service of his people and every ready to frontally confront the daunting challenges that confront his people.
The deceased monarch showed himself to be rare, fearless and unfettered by the spoils and trappings of office. Unequivocally, His Eminence brought to the ancient Ogba throne, integrity, forthrightness, decorum and predictability in the governance of his people.
Above all, his reign became most peaceful in an environment that hostility and negative circumstances have naturally been factored in.
As ONELGA, Rivers State and entirety of Nigeria stand still, awaiting the committal of this shining star of Africa, this man of uncommon destiny, National Network says ADIEU.
