The posh cars that were trooping into the kingdom was a clear indication that something big was going to happen.
Soon, the palace of Eze Nri, Obidiegwu Onyesoh, Nri Enwelani II, was filled with dignitaries from all walks of life and the local people who had come to witness the conferment of the prestigious Ofo Ndigbo title on Commodore Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd). At the appointed time, the Ikoro, the traditional wooden gong, was sounded and the atmosphere was charged and the traditional dancers, the wonderful troupe from the Anambra State Batch B Corps members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, as well as the Nigeria Navy band, began to entertain the guests.
The popular war dancers from Ohafia and many other dance troupes had equally besieged the ancient kingdom to add colour to the celebration.
Shortly before His Majesty, Eze Onyesoh stepped into the arena accompanied by Commodore Ukiwe, his wife, Amina, and Senator Chris Ngige, shouts of joy and jubilation enveloped the kingdom as other prominent Nigerians, mostly Igbo sons and daughters, continued to pour into Nri.
As Eze Onyesoh performed the traditional breaking of kolanut he eulogized the undying spirit of Ndigbo, which he said was embodied in Commodore Ukiwe, pointing out that he exhibited this during his service to his father land in the military, saying that his choice to be bestowed with Ofo Ndigbo was due to his contributions towards the Igbo unity.
He further said that as the custodian of Igbo culture and tradition,
Ukiwe stepped into the shoes of prominent Igbo sons and daughters who had in various areas touched the lives of the people and one way or the other contributed immensely to the sustenance of the Igbo unity, culture, tradition while holding sacrosanct to the ethos of Ndigbo.
Eze Onyesoh also disclosed that the Ofo title which he gave to Ukiwe was done as his solemn duty as Eze Nri, the custodian of Igbo culture and civilization, adding that the Ofo in Igbo mythology simply means the conscience of Ndigbo.
“The holder of Ofo Ndigbo, therefore, must be a role model from whose hands the spirits ensure equitable and conscience-able decisions on all matters before him. He must be a good listener, make the affairs of Ndigbo his and must handle this great responsibility with wisdom,” he said.
Oriental News gathered that the late Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Owelle of Onitsha, first Nigerian President was bestowed with the same Ofo Ndigbo in 1956 at Nri.
Besides Zik, the late Premier of Eastern Region, Rt. Hon. Michael Okpara was also bestowed with the title in 1967 while the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Ikemba Nnewi, was bestowed with the same Ofo Ndigbo in 1967; making Commodore Ukiwo the forth Igbo man to be so honoured.
The Eze Nri also reminded the guests, especially the friends of the Ukiwes that the Ofo Ndigbo was not bestowed on individuals because of their deep pockets, but purely on merit, adding that it was given to any Igbo man who has distinguished and proved the cause of the Igbo nation.
He said that the choice of Ukiwe was apt as Ndigbo are in need of a good leader. He stressed the need to perpetuate Igbo culture, tradition and language, saying that despite the effect of westernization and mass media which are fast eroding the Igbo language, the people of Nri ancient kingdom would continue to stand tall and hold firm to the culture and tradition of Ndigbo as the custodian and leader of all Igbo.
The immediate past governor of Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi said the need for Igbo culture and tradition to be held tenaciously was apt, especially in the face of the challenges facing the Igbo Language.
He described Ukiwe as a refined man whose love for his people was total while his commitment to the unity of the country was unquestionable, commending Eze Nri for finding him worthy to be honoured with the prestigious title of Ofo Ndigbo.
Chief Obi also observed that Ukiwe had contributed immensely towards the unity of Ndigbo and very well deserved the honour given to him. He called on other Igbo sons and daughters to emulate the spirit of Ukiwe whom he described as a detrabalized Nigerian.
Also, Senator Chris Ngige, said that Ukiwe as a military man is humane and a gentleman whose love for the Igbo nation was very conspicuous during his years of service and the Nigeria/Biafra civil war.
He said the outpouring of encomiums on him was a clear testimony that when he had the opportunity to serve, he performed creditably well, pointing out that his elevation to the same status of the great Owelle of Onitsha, M.I. Okpara and Odumegwu Ojukwu, was an honour well deserved.
Senator Ngige used the occasion to call on all Igbo sons and daughters to be more united in the country and eschew playing politics of bitterness, but to work together as a people with a common aim.
Speaking, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Inter Party Affairs, Senator Ben Ndi Obi, described Ukiwe as a man with great antecedents and of few words.
He relished with great nostalgia the contributions of Ukiwe towards enthroning democracy in the country even while he was still serving in the military, saying that his life is a great asset not only to Ndigbo but Nigeria at large.
The member representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mrs Uche Ekwunife, who is also a member of the prestigious Otu-Odu (Iyom) of Nri Kingdom, was also at the occasion to join Ukiwe and his wife in their moment of honour.
Welcoming Ukiwe’s wife, Amina, into the prestigious Iyom status, Mrs Ekwunife observed that the Ukiwes had paid their dues towards Nigeria’s unity and thus deserve the prestigious Ofo Ndigbo title.
For the former Minister for Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Aneni, Ukiwe deserved the honour.
She said Ndigbo have evolved a certain consciousness to not only celebrate a great man at death, but also celebrating certain individuals while still alive.
Mrs Anenih described Commodore Ukiwe as a man who abhorred injustice and stood for the oppressed irrespective of gender or ethnic differences, urging Ndigbo to accept him as a true face of Igbo unity and progress.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, described the Ukiwes as role models nfor new generation.
He said Ndigbo have come a long way to celebrate their own in a special way as a way of encouraging hard work and encouraging outstanding leadership which he said Commodore Ukiwe represented.
A renowned author and human rights activist, Chief Emma Okocha, and Chief Joe Ifedobi, respectively said Commodore Ukiwe is a gift to the Igbo nation, adding that without the role he played in Igbo unity, Ndigbo would have been balkanized.
They said that he is a man of great vision, courage, one who stood by his people who are oppressed, adding “he is a man that never supports injustice, he stands by the oppressed irrespective of ethnic differences.
“He resigned his position at the Supreme Military Council, not on the grounds of corruption, but on grounds that he was disenchanted with high level politics of divide and rule, injustice and other forms of vices.”
Chief Ukiwe while speaking thanked Eze Nri for finding him worthy of the prestigious Ofo Ndigbo title and assured him that whatever was the good reason he was chosen he would continue to do that to bring Ndigbo together as one indivisible entity.
He promised that he would never disappoint Ndigbo who found him worthy of stepping into the big shoes the likes of Great Zik of Africa, M.I. Okpara and Odumegwu Ojukwu wore in different times of Igbo struggle.
Ukiwe was born in Abriba, Abia State 74 years ago into the royal family of Ukiwe in Abriba community in present Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
He enlisted into the Nigerian Navy where he retirement as a Navy Commodore.
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Ofo Ndigbo: Nri ancient kingdom stands still for Ukiwe |
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