The solemn burial of a nonagenarian Christian faithful, Pa Pius Kalu Okoro, of Ndi Agwu Okpo compound of Odumchiakuma Autonomous Community, Ihechiowa, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, last Friday, January 7, 2022, turned a carnival with the trajectory entrance of Clan Chief (Prof.) Chimezie Anosike Kingsley KSC (Ebubemba Ikeduru) and his Lolo, Chief Maureen Nneka Kingsley (Odi-ukonamba Amaimo) accompanied by an entourage of revered personalities from Imo State and beyond.
Arochukwu is popularly historical with Ibini Ukpabi, better known as the ‘Long Juju’ of Arochukwu; a deity that transformed Arochukwu to a tourist land of sort, where major issues and conflicts were adjudicated at the shrine of Ibini Ukpabi.
It is also the home of many prominent and renowned Nigerians including Late Mazi Alvan Ikoku, an Educationist, Kanu Nwankwo, a celebrated footballer, Chidi Imoh, a star athlete, Nnamdi Udoh; a revered aeronautic engineer and Mao Ohuabunwa; an Industrialist and renowned Politician among many others.
The journey to the ancient community of Ihechiowa in Arochukwu; was not devoid of challenges; ranging from bad road network with gridlocks and go-slows, occasioned sometimes by police and military checkpoints yet our drivers dared all and we arrived safely.
However, the about, 120 kilometre road journey from Owerri, the Imo State capital, to Arochukwu which took about three to four hours, with the bad roads counting, was both fun and pleasurable.
Arriving Ihechiowa, we were met with an interesting feel of typical village-home setting, ideal for farming and other off-city Agro related businesses. Three-leaf yam harvest were seen in heaps at different points, bush meats were also spotted on display in shops for sale.
At the family compound, Pa Kalu Okoro’s son and a principal mourner, James Kalu, in the company of the popular Ohafia War dancers, received the highly revered guests and led them to other major mourners where Chief (Prof.) Chimezie Anosike Kingsley (Ebubemba Ikeduru), enjoined them to take solace in God and bear the great loss with fortitude.
After exchanging pleasantries with the key mourners and while the grave sand-filling, went on; Ebubemba Ikeduru and his entourage were led in a dance-procession to the reception ground by “Igba Ndi-Eze Music Group”.
Pa Pius Kalu Okoro, who was buried after a requiem mass officiated by the parish priest of St. Mulumba’s Catholic Church, Umuye, was described as a Catholic devout who led a good and peaceful life.
At the funeral reception ground, Ebubemba Ikeduru; Chairman and CEO Deking Group of Companies Nig Ltd and his spouse who doubles as Co-Chairman of Deking Group, and other eminent dignitaries were led into the school field, venue for the reception, with the traditional Igba Ndi Eze music.
The musician on stand, who sang masterfully with his team charged the atmosphere with splash when he began singing the evergreen songs of the old and popular Oriental Brothers International Music Band, with the names of Ebubemba Ikeduru and his Lolo, Chief Odiuko-na-mba built, into the song to add cheers and glamour.
The sweet rhythm and accolades of the music which attracted many to the dancing ground had the special guests paint the atmosphere with varying denominations of naira cash.
The event was quite memorable as our hosts ensured we were treated to the best of delicacies and assorted drinks.
We therefore join our faith with Mr. James Kalu; General Manager, Deking Group of Companies Nig Ltd and his entire family to celebrate his late father, who parted in glory at 92.
In the long entourage of the Chairman/CEO, Deking Group, Ebubemba Ikeduru and spouse, includes management and staff of News Echo, News Insider, Deking Printing Hub, friends and well wishers from Imo State.
The Owerri entourage, signed off by 4pm with thumbs-up for Mr. James Kalu and his entire family members for a befitting burial to their hero-father while we drove in a jolly convoy back to Owerri, but this time, via Bende Road into Umuahia and through Obowo-Mbaise road, caught up with Owerri, by about 8pm.
Along the Bende road, we observed an ongoing construction and rehabilitation to give the old bad road face-lift especially at the terrific Nmuri river and the anxiety-loaded Omenuko river bridges.
But, quite frankly, driving through; from Ohafia to Arochukwu was a sour experience; especially after the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Army Cantonment Ohafia, the road becomes hell. Very sincerely, that road remains a moral burden to all successive governors of Abia State National and State Assembly members from that divide and indeed, all politicians from Abia State.
