Oba people in Diaspora urged to think home, emulate Late Col. Onyejegbu

By Uzo Ugwunze, Ojoto

Illustrious sons and daughters of Oba in Idemili South living in Diaspora have been urged to come home and invest both intellectual and financial resources in their community.

The call was made recently during the burial ceremony of the President General(PG) of Oba Patriotic Union (OPU), a retired soldier in the US Army, Late Col. Godfrey Onyejegbu who died in active service barely eight months in the office as the community PG.

Most of the sympathizers who eulogized the outstanding qualities of the fallen hero stressed that Oba community needs more experienced people like Late Onyejegbu to come home and foster development.

In his remarks, Reagent of Oba, Prince Noel Ezenwa described Late CoI. Onyejegbu as one who imbibed the best qualities of his training in the US military and used it towards salvaging Oba.

“The hallmarks of his training included planning, commitment, discipline and patriotism which he inclined to transform his society. The zeal and dedication with which he embraced his assignment was remarkable.

“It was devastating that Col. Onyejegbu’s life was nipped so early when he came to help in salvaging Oba, especially in this trying moment of picking a new Igwe for Oba”, said the Reagent.

Chief Okwudiba Anyaorah, Ijele Oba urged well placed Oba indegenes to emulate Late Onyejegbu by coming home to invest because anyone who dies will be buried at his home town.

“Colonel left his foot prints in the sands of time. We hope to see more Oba sons who will be as devoted as him investing their resources for the good of Oba.

“I do advice OPU Lagos branch, If you learn something, come home and teach others so that our community can move forward. Everyone will be buried in his town”, said Anyaorah, Ijele Oba.

According to Chief Sam Odinammadu, Ikeora Oba, ” In the shortest time I knew our Late PG, I saw he had good intentions for Oba community and our people.

” Let good people like him come home and contribute their experience because a Traveller is better then a greyhead person. Onyejegbu’s good works shall be remembered” said Odinammadu, Ikeora Oba.

Moreover, Chairman of Internally Generated Revenue, Hon Okechukwu Aniam noted that the late PG was his confidant saying that the deceased had already engaged the US government to attract developmental projects to Oba before his untimely demise.

“Late Onyejegbu was a typical example of ‘Think home practical philosopher’. His Eight months in office was equivalent to 12 years. His western experience and connection gave Oba direction”, said Aniam.
Chairman Oba Political Affairs, Hon Ogonna Ndozie stated:” Oba People in Diaspora should think home and discover what they would do for Oba community and not what Oba will do for them.

“Onyejegbu was an astute administrator. He ensured Seperation of power, Division of Labor, created committees, centralized and furnished OPU secretariate and Security offices and started implementing his administrative blueprint which could have taken Oba to an enviable height”, said Ndozie.

Meanwhile, President Aboji Akanano, Nze Dozie Nweke after eulogizing the legacies of Onyejegbu appreciated illustrious sons of Oba who have been passionate about the progress and well being of Oba community.
“Oba people in Diaspora have been trying just like Late Onyejegbu. People like  Chief Anyaorah, Ijele Oba, Chief OC Onwuka alleviated the sufferings of Oba people during the Covid 19 Lockdown, Recently, a special standard security Network was inaugurated to undertake professional services. Others should learn and contribute their best to develop Oba community”, said Nweke.

In his vote of thanks, the OPU, Acting PG, Mr. Clifford Enendu thanked everyone who came from far and near to commiserate with Oba people.

Enendu who said that Onyejegbu was a selfless leader who lived for the peace, progress of residents of Oba whether indigenes or non indegenes called on Oba people to come home and see how they can help to make Oba greater ‘ an example for other communities’.

A member OPU women executive, Mrs. Ngozi Onwuka who described Late Onyejegbu as a Godsent pleaded with Oba people to come home and continue from where he stopped. She pleaded with Oba people to forget the past and look forward to making their community better than its neighbors.

Earlier in his homely tltled “Are you an Asset or a Liability”, Venerable Izuchukwu Obiekwe charged sons and daughters of Oba to quit strife, selfishness and bitterness and embrace Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace who will enable them add value to Oba community as testified about Late Col. Onyejegbu.

Dignitaries who came to pay their last respect to the fallen hero included Anambra State Association of Town Unions, National President, Comrade Alex Onukwue, Chairman Oganiru Idemili Movement, Engr. Augustine Ejibendu.

Others include Barr. Chief Felix Uzor, Ichie Enyi II of Oba, the trio of Chief Benneth Chibueze, Igbalueogige Oba, Chief Ifeatu Uzowulu, Hon. Ikenna Okeke, all three were former Presidents General, OPU and some Ichies and Chiefs of the Igwe in Council.
Highlights of the funerals include a brief lying in state of late PG at the Oba Civic center before the burial service and interment at Onyejegbu’s compound at Okpunoetiti, Aboji Oba.