No 16, Ezenei street, Asaba, Delta state came alive recently as indigenes of the town, relation and friends from different walks of life all gorgeously dressed, came together to give honour to whom honour is due.
The event was the investiture of social crusader and author Emma Okocha as the Ogbueshi Nkpagbu Nwata of Asaba . Although it was meant to be a quiet but memorable event, however friends turned it into a festival that engulfed the serene Umuezei home of Okocha.
At the event, tributes eulogizing the Asaba genocide campaigner poured in from high and the low as young and the old said remarkable things about the man who wrote the Blood on the Niger.
The colorful occasion, which lasted for seven days, started with prayers by Ogbueshi Peter Iweze.Okocha, who was later coronated as a member of the Ogbueshi title holder, gave thanks to God and his ancestors who made it possible for him to qualify for the title.
” I give thanks to Almighty God, who has made this event a possibility, and as most of you are aware, the honour is not only bestowed on well meaning sons of Asaba land but on those that have contributed in upholding our cultural heritage.” He said.
Ogbueshi Chibeze Unoka, in his speech explained that , ” The Ogbueshi title is one of our ancient culture reserved for our sons who have contributed for socio-economic development of Asaba. It is for peace and development particularly the maintenance of peace and security and the restoration of human dignity in our land.”
On the qualities needed for one to occupy the position of Ogbueshi title, octogenarian Unoka informed that, ” We the elders will look at the record of the person and background. We also consider how the family has contributed to the stability of peace here in Asaba. ”
‘Continuing he said, ” before one can receive the title, we also look at one’s character and how the person is organised in his family level. If the person is not organised or troublemaker, it means that he cannot receive the title. We ensure that we uphold the essence of family togetherness and our rich cultural heritage, this we do to enhance the position of our future. It is also to ensure that we do not lose our cultural heritage in today’s globalised world.”
The occasion which featured different cultural dances as well as the Umuada of Asaba and other titled men, climaxed with the investiture of Okocha as the newest Ogbueshi.
Other titled men that graced the occasion include; Ogbueshi Adizua Eluka, Ogbueshi Tom Eluka, Ogbueshi Obi Ebenuwa, Ogbueshi Donatus Elikwu, Ogbueshi Egbuna Onwuka among others. Okocha is the author of Blood on the Niger: The First Black on Black Genocide, The Untold Story of the Asaba Massacre in the Nigerian Civil War.
