Ugwumba Ogwuaga Abba, Sir Emmanuel Eberechukwu Uju Laid To Rest Amid Tears!

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA

Indeed, funerals are thoughts provoking and sad moments. It is when members of a family, friends, associates, well-wishers and communities pay their last respect to a departed beloved one. 

Some people are so dearly loved and treasured that their families go the extra miles to make large budgets for their funerals, while counting on public goodwill and massive attendance to give the deceased a befitting burial before they are laid to their final place of rest in glory.

“Death, is no doubt, an expected end. But when a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men.”

The above short narrative represents late Chief Sir, Emmanuel Eberechukwu Uju (Ugwumba), as he was finally laid to eternal rest on Wednesday, 7th April, 2021, at his family compound, Umudimuhie-Amato village, Ogwuaga Abba, Nwangele LGA, Imo State, amid tears.

While the burial had come and gone, it would linger almost forever in the memories of the bereaved Uju Dynasty in Ogwuaga Abba as well as close relations and friends who witnessed the ceremony.

The three-day burial arrangements started on Saturday, March 13, 2021, with a wake at his Ijegun Ikotun, Lagos residence. On Tuesday, April 6, 2021, a service of songs was also organised in honour of the deceased at his family compound in Umudimuhie-Amato village, Ogwuaga Abba.

The Tuesday wake was practically a night of tributes, consolation, solidarity and friendship, as it had in attendance crème of Abba  leadership; High Chief Johnbosco Ozigbu, Chief Engr. Kenneth Ebubeogu, Lord Mayor Chris Onwuzurike, etc, including friends, political allies and business associates of the deceased  younger brother, Chief Sir Jeff Uju (Akurulo of Abba); a well known and respected opinion leader and philanthropist based in the United States of America.

On Wednesday, April 7, 2021, the remains of late Chief Sir, Emmanuel Eberechukwu Uju (Ugwumba) were finally committed to mother earth amid tears and farewell cheers by his lovely wife, Lady Beatrice Uju, children, family members and the entire Ogwuaga Abba Community in Nwangele LGA, Imo State.

A God fearing man and dedicated Christian, whose burial service witnessed a litany of official Ministers in the ranks of Rt. Rev. Benjamin C. Okeke -M.A (JP), Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most Rev. B.C.I Okoro Ph.D, among other galaxy of the clergy.

A noble Knight of the Anglican Communion of Orlu Diocese,  Batch 2017; where he devotedly served the Lord and humanity during his pilgrim life and times.  

During the Requiem service at the St. Stephen’s Church, Ogwuaga Abba, testimonies from the Council of Knights of the Diocese of Orlu about this glorious personality and illustrious son of Abba and a dedicated member,  Sir Emmanuel Eberechukwu Uju, abound and thereby authenticating the fact that he was truly a gentleman of all seasons and a passionate lover of decorous comportment, imbued with tremendous penchant for rendering selfless service wherever he found himself. 

Sir Emmanuel Eberechukwu Uju, a noble Knight of the Anglican Communion, by human measures, was a renowned altruistic statesman, who raised altruism to an all-time high standard as it was evidenced in his short stint  fellowship and membership of the Council, which lasted just three years, having performed investiture amongst the Batch 2017.

As a loving husband and father, he laid a solid Christian foundation for discipline, honesty, fear of God and hard work in all his children and younger siblings; placing family values above other considerations. 

Sir, Chief Emmanuel Uju  sacrificed everything he  treasured to make his family and siblings happy; including dedicating one of his sons, Rev’d Ndubuisi Uju, to the Most High God as a Priest in the Anglican Communion.

Also, in Chief Sir Jeff Uju, the late sage raised one of the most  successful members of his enlarged family and Ogwuaga Abba Community.

A philanthropist par excellence,  critical stakeholder in Imo State political discuss, frontline politician and major contender for the Peoples Democratic Party’s  ticket during the primaries in the 2015 Imo State House of Assembly election for Nwangele Constituency. Chief Jeff Uju, who  has today, become a household name in Imo political leadership  and selfless community service in Nwangele LGA,  is a product of no less personality than his late elder brother, Sir Chief Emmanuel Eberechukwu Uju (Ugwumba).

 Since charity begins at home, Akurulo of Abba was arguably the first direct beneficiary of the magnanimity and benevolence of his late kind-hearted elder brother, Chief Emma Uju.

High Chief Jeff Uju, in a well documented heart warming and glowing tribute addressed to his late elder brother, Sir Emmanuel Eberechukwu Uju, described him in the following words:

 “My mentor, my hero, our mentor, ‘the wind beneath my wings’ and a strong believer of family values.”   
“He supported and carried the entire family on his big shoulders, and it was because of his sacrifices that some of us are where we are today. And I am a living witness to his kindness, love for family, and I can testify to that…”

“Deedeem, our action man and our Family General, who never took ”No” for an answer…”

“You gave me the oxygen to breath and you never stopped until the wicked hand of terminal illness, which led to your untimely death took you away from me and us.”

Nevertheless, true to his sense of  hospitality, penchant for social rendezvous and ultimately what he represents within the business and political circle as a  boardroom strategist, Chief Sir Jeff Uju (Akurulo of Abba), after the burial ceremony at his late elder brother’s family compound, later played lavish host to the crème da la crème of his guests  from the business sector, political class and professional bodies as Imo State former Governor and Nigeria’s former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief (Dr.) Achike Udenwa, alongside Chief D.G.E. Iheaka, a PDP stalwart from Oru West and Chief Chris Njoku, former Special Adviser to His Excellency, Chief Achike Udenwa, on Administration, and also a former LGA Chairman in Ezinihite Mbaise.

 Others included but not limited to the member representing Nwangele Constituency and Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, alongside the retinue of colourful entourage, a factional Eze-elect of Ogwuaga Abba Autonomous Community, Chief Okezie Akwiwu, Hon. Justice K.K. Ojiako, Rt. Hon. Jones Onyereri, Lord Amb. Sir. Gibson Chigbu, Lord Mayor Chris Onwuzurike, Chief (Engr.) Kenneth Ebubeogu, Chief Phil Enele, Chief Zubby Akwiwu, Chief Barr. Leonard Onwuzurike (Eziudo), Dr. Frank Ojiako, Chief Azubike Akwiwu, Chief Ken Ukaoha, Chief Cyrian Ikeata, Chief Sir Chinedum Emenike, among other A-list dignitaries and Diaspora friends of Chief Jeff Uju.

The late Chief Emmanuel Uju was a successful businessman and transporter in Lagos State before he retired to a private life in 2016 having raised a successful  generation that could take good care of him in old age, while he devoted the remaining part of his pilgrim life to serving God and  doing works of charity. 

He was an honest man, a defender of justice, proactive and pragmatic. As a visionary Community leader, the late Sir Chief Emmanuel Eberechukwu Uju was instrumental in forming the Umuezealaehihe family meeting and was the second Chairman for uninterrupted 8 years.

In recognition of his numerous selfless community services and sterling leadership style, he was meritoriously conferred with the rare Chieftaincy title of Ugwumba Na Ogwuaga by His Royal Highness, Eze Justice G.G.I. Ojiako (Rtd) (Dim Ohamadike of Ogwuaga). 

Sir Emmanuel Eberechukwu Uju, aged 73, slept in the Lord on Monday, September 28, 2020. Married to Lady Beatrice Uju, the union is blessed with six amazing and successful children (2 boys and 4 girls), among whom are: Mrs. Ugonma Onuchukwu – Uju (first daughter ), Obiageri Uju, Engr. Emeka Uju (first son), Rev’d Ndubuisi Uju (second son), Chinwendu Uju (daughter ) , Chinonso Uju (daughter), amongst his in-laws and members of extended Uju Dynasty.

Ugwumba Ogwuaga, you were so dearly loved and would be so greatly missed!
Keep resting in the bossom of your Creator, who has called you to eternal rest in glory!

– Njoku MacDonald Obinna,

PR Expert & Publisher, 4thestatereporters.com