IGNATIUS SOROIBE
The governor of Imo state, senator Hope Uzodinma has described the late traditional ruler of Umuderim autonomous community, His royal highness Eze Vincent Sunday Onyemjoroegbulem.Erim 1 of Umuderim, Chief omeudo 1 of Atonerim.
Governor Uzodinma stated this in a condolence message he addressed to the president general of Umuderim Development Union,His honour chief Geoffrey Iwuagwu dated 25th April,2024 .
signed on his behalf by a permanent secretary in the office of the secretary to the Government of Imo state on Friday 14th June,2024. During the burial of the late monarch in his royal palace Umuderim in Ihitte/Uboma Local Government area of Imo state.
The governor commended the late traditional ruler for” touching the lives of numerous Imo youths through the jobs he gave them in his business empire,”
In his own tribute,the first son of the late monarch, prince Emmanuel Okafor, pointed out that his father “lived a well meaning life that is worthy of emulation,a life that cares for humanity, honest and trustworthy”
Adding his voice,the president general of the community,hon. Supol Geoffrey Iwuagwu described the late traditional ruler “As a man of peace, An employer of labour who pitched his tent with the hospitality industry,Oil and gas.a man of high repute,proven integrity, unassuming and also a man of transparent honesty whose reign brought into the community ” order and peaceful co-existence”
The honourable member representing Ehime Mbano,Ihitte/Uboma and Obowo federal constituency in the National Assembly, Deacon Chike Okafor described the late Eze Okafor as ” an Ordained Elder, loving husband, caring father,an influential community leader with an astute leadership and commitment to the growth and development of Umuderim autonomous community”
While paying glowing tribute to the late Eze, the general – superintendent of the Saviour Evangelical Church of Nigeria incorporated, Reverend Christian Ajuonuma described the late royal father who until his death,the Board of trustees Chairman of the church as “One who loved the church, encouraged leaders and upheld the unity of the church”
In his own tribute on behalf of the Imo state council of traditional institutions and community policing,Eze Emmanuel Okeke described the exit of Eze Okafor as “Painful, because of the vacuum it had created, but it can be better described as a glorious exit or rather a celebration of life”
Adding his voice, an international business man from the community , who is also related to the late monarch and also accompanied the late Eze to process the papers in Owerri during the search for the autonomous status for Umuderim community.Mr Solomon Edomobi described the late monarch”
As a dedicated Christian,nice person who loved his community and used his resources to make sure that the community was okay, a humble Eze Who used his wisdom to fix any problems that comes up, trained a lot of people through his industries,Terryvin guest house, princess hotels in Aba, Isinweke and Umuderim.
While Chief John Oguh,the traditional prime minister of the community described the late Eze as”A Godly man who does everything according to God’s directives”
The woman leader of the community lolo Nkeiruka Oguh described the late Eze as ” peaceful and a dedicated child of God,who insisted that Umuderim women must be in peace and unity as one, irrespective of church denominations”
In his own tribute, the immediate past honourable member for Ihitte/Uboma state constituency, Honourable Michael Njoku described the late traditional ruler As” a revered King and a successful business man who was polite even when carrying out his official duties, hence he was nicknamed “Ka nwunne”
The speaker of Imo state house of Assembly.Honourable Chike Olemgbe described the late monarch as ” ” an accomplished business man,whose business empires ranged from the hospitality industry to Oil and gas industry,hence he contributed significantly to the development of our society”
The burial was like a carnival, in attendance were various old boys and girls from schools which his sons and daughters attended in past like Madonna high school,Etiti, saint Patrick’s secondary school, Calabar, federal government girls college, Enugu, among others.Clubs like Aba sports club,Enugu sports club and Owerri standard tennis club.various choir groups from Saviour church across the country also graced the occasion, many traditional/ cultural dances were also present including the famous Ohafia war dance and the popular Nkwa group from Nkwerre.
Meanwhile, the late Eze Okafor was crowned the traditional ruler of Umuderim on 27th December,1999, while he was issued staff of office by a former military administrator of Imo state, Colonel Tanko Zubairu on the 3rd of May,I999.
Like tales by the moonlight stories anchored by Dr Nkem Osakwe on Nigerian Television Authority.NTA, in the 80s and 90s, it was told that this noble and award winning royal father has died before ,three years ago, but was returned to life to fulfill two outstanding vows he made to his church; to purchase a motorbike for the pastor of a newly opened branch of the church in Abakaliki Ebonyi state and donation of 15 number plastic chairs for a new branch in Aba,Abia state respectively.