Ochiagha Oparaukwu Ibeku,Prince Benjamin Benedict Apugo has paid tribute to Late.Ohafia Traditional Ruler,His Royal Paramountcy, Prof.Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga who was buried on Saturday,6th July,2024.
. Late.prof Imaga
Apugo who came to the burial in company of Ibeku Traditional Rulers ,extolled the Late Monarch ,Prof.Imaga for his endearing qualities while alive ,adding that Ohafia has lost a great personality who built peace and development amongst his people and will be remembered for his exemplified humility and contributions towards Ohafia Udumeze Ancient Kindom.
He expressed deep touch at the death of Professor Imaga who he said visited him lastly before kicking the bucket.
Ochiagha said the late Imaga’s last visit to him showed how strong their relationship was before the sudden news of his demise, adding that all that were done traditionally to pay him the last respect was in accordance with the traditional activities Ohafia and Ibeku have in common as One people following their genealogy.
While speaking at the funeral during Church service at the Presbyterian Church Of Nigeria,Isiama Parish,Elu Ohafia,Abia State Ochiagha Oparaukwu Ibeku enjoined the families ,sympathizers,friends and well-wishers of the deceased to be courageous and not despair over his demise as death is a pathway for all living but stressed the need for people to live good legacies while alive.
He maintained that His Royal Paramountcy, Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga has left a good footprints worthy of emulation by those who mourn him.
Prince Apugo who performed the traditional rites for the burial of the late Monarch Prof.Imaga at Egwu Ibeku in Umuahia on Friday,5th July 2024 acknowledged that his presence in Ohafia was in fulfilment of the customs and traditions that were binding between Ibeku and Ohafia as descendants of Ibeku.
Responding ,the Chairman of the burial committee,Ume Kalu ,SAN,thanked Prince B.B.Apugo for unifying Ohafia and Ibeku by keeping them as One on the part of history over the Years.
He noted that Ohafia shares common ancestry with Ibeku , having known through history the event that led to their break out from Isieke but maintained that they still kept track of their roots.
The former Abia Attorney General further said that Ibeku through their presence and contributions in the burial of His Royal Paramountcy, Prof.Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga has far more established their relationship which will not be taken for granted as he assure Apugo that they will pass the love unto their Children and take the news to Ohafia people in diaspora over their kind gestures.
Many other communities like ,Akwa Ibom,Olokoro ,Umuchieze ,Itumbauzo ,Ntalakwu Oboro were said to have migrated from Ibeku.
The Abia State Deputy Governor Engr, Ikechukwu Emutu,Former Abia State Deputy Governor,Rt.Hon Ude Okochukwu amongst other notable dignitaries graced the occasion.
The occasion witnessed traditional dances and other Cultural display to pay the last respect for the Monarch,His Royal Paramountcy, Prof.Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga.
There were cultural display of lineages both from Akwa Ibom, Ibeku, Ohafia and more
