The remains of Pa Ishmael Ibewuike Osuala of Umuonyemaobi kindred in Uru, Isi Ogwa, Mbaitoli local government area, Imo state will be lowered to the grave this weekend, Friday October 16, after the St. Matthew African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church conducts its requiem mass.
Pa Ishmael is the traditional head of Umuonyemaobi family in Uru and was aged 84. While he lived he served his community in many capacities. He was a school teacher, youth leader, church pastor in the AME Zion Church, Counselor for Uru community, Chairman Uru village.
He plied his business of patent medicine in Onitsha before retiring home where he engaged in other endeavours like trading on liquor.
According to his kinsman, HRH Eze (Dr) Martin Obichukwu, who resides in Houston Texas USA, Osuala was a man who believed in hard work and never lagged behind in discharging his duties,
In his words, “he was a self made man that never took anything for granted, worked hard to grow his beautiful family.”
In his tribute, Chief Charles Nwaiwu, (Asiakponnu), an Enugu based business man described him as a mentor to many and a man of sound faith to what he believes but never a slave to any mans ideas or wealth. According to him, Osuala was passionate about education, community development, and the work of God.
Prof Hilary Ekemam of the Political Science department of Imo State University, lamenting the loss stated, Chief Osuala taught me in primary school. He was a very intelligent man with quiet mien, a great Zionite. I can still remember his ever clean “Sports Bicycle”. He will be missed.
Other community leaders who spoke glowingly on the life of Pa Osuala include Barr Cliff Oforji, Elder Walter Nwaiwu, and Eddy Nnodim among others.
Among his survivors as children is an America based medical doctor, a Lagos based business man and a music artist. Others include his wives, other children and grand children. Afam Echi, Editor, News Echo Newspaper is his nephew.
