…says preserving culture pivotal for future generations

By Chinedu Sabastine

The Edeaniegu community in Isi Ozalla in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, celebrated their annual Ancestral Day, honoring the bravery of their forefathers who resisted migrants and secured their land.

The traditional leader, His Royal Majesty Don Sylvester Chinedu Nweke who led the celebrations, joined by his cabinet chiefs and members of the community marked the day in grand style.

The event, which takes place every 3rd of January, is a significant occasion for the Edeaniegu people, marking their existence and the struggles of their ancestors.

“The community gathered to pay tribute to their forebears, who fought gallantly to protect their land and heritage”. Don Sylvester said.

The traditional leader of the community explained that Edeaniagu was the ancient man who welcomed migrants from Udi, Ituku, Akegbe, and Aro, and later resisted colonial masters. “He was a strong leader who built relationships and secured peace for his people.

“The celebration is a reminder of the community’s history and heritage. Edeaniagu’s legacy is one of resilience, bravery, and wisdom. He stopped the war between the migrants and the indigenous people, and later intervened in conflicts between neighboring communities.

The community leader lamented that many people have forgotten their history and are spreading false narratives and emphasized the importance of preserving and teaching their history to future generations.

The celebration is a testament to the community’s commitment to preserving its cultural identity and honoring its ancestors and a book detailing the community’s history was also launched during the occasion.

The celebration was also a grand affair, with traditional dances, music, and rituals performed to honor the ancestors.

Because of the importance and significance of the day, His Royal Majesty, Don Sylvester Chinedu Nweke and his cabinet chiefs led the procession, paying homage to the founding fathers of Edeaniegu.

The Edeaniegu Ancestral Day, being an important cultural event, showcase the community’s rich heritage and traditions. It serves as a reminder of the community’s history and the sacrifices made by their ancestors to secure their land and future.

The celebrations demonstrate the community’s commitment to preserving their cultural identity and honoring their ancestors. It was a joyous occasion, with members of the community coming together to celebrate their shared heritage.

Prior to the Ancestral Day proper, Don Sylvester’s sister, a renowned academic and Shell Executive, Professor Munachimso Ebelechukwu Nweke-Okoye, Ufam Ozalla, celebrated their mother expressing gratitude to her for giving birth to 10 children, five boys and five girls.

According to Ufam Ozalla, “In Igbo tradition, once a woman gives birth from up to 9 children and above, there is this ceremony that is usually performed for her. It is called “igbu ewu ukwu” ritual, a goat-killing ceremony to tap into her mother’s anointing for longevity”. Ufam Ozalla said.

Professor Nweke-Okoye’s mother, who raised 10 children single-handedly after losing her husband early in life, was well honored during the ceremony. Her resilience and dedication to her children’s education were acknowledged.

Professor Nweke-Okoye, during the period, empowered members of her community, including men, women, and children, with items such as hairdressing equipment, bags of rice, beans, tubers of yam, and a car. A gesture that is part of her commitment to giving back to society.

In her community, Professor Nweke-Okoye has trained over one hundred (100) persons, and her philanthropic efforts extend beyond Ozalla. She has trained numerous individuals in Nigerian universities and empowered many more.

The event was a celebration of Professor Nweke-Okoye’s life, achievements, and commitment to her community. It was a testament to her impact on the lives of many.

The people of Edeaniegu community and beyond are proud of Professor Nweke-Okoye’s accomplishments and look forward to her continued contributions to society.

Chief Dubem Onyia, Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, will be laid to rest on Friday, May 2, at his Enugu Ngwo home.

The former House of Representatives member passed away on March 10, 2025, at the age of 73 in Abuja, following a brief illness.

According to the information contained in the burial arrangement signed by his son, Engr. Emeka Ike Onyia, on behalf of the family, the final journey of the late elder statesman had already begun with a Requiem Mass in his honour at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, and night of tributes at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, both in Abuja.

This would be followed by another night of tributes at the Amadeo Event Centre, Ebeano Tunnel Road, on Tuesday, April 29, and Christian wake at his country home’s Colliery Comprehensive School Field, Ngwo.

The funeral mass will commence at 10:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ngwo, while interment follows immediately after the mass.

“It is with sadness but gratitude to Almighty God for a life well-lived, that we communicate the death of Chief Gideon Dubem Onyia, which sad event took place on Monday, March 10, 2025.

“Chief Dubem Onyia was 73 years old before passing. He served Nigeria and the society in many capacities. He was a devout Christian, a committed Catholic and member of the revered Knight of Saint John International who served God with unwavering dedication. His love for God was demonstrated in his love for people. He was a leader par excellence both in his community, Enugu Ngwo, his state Enugu, and the country at large,” the statement read.

Mourning the departure of the late sage, the chairman of the burial committee, Prof Richard Okechukwu, said Chief Onyia would be greatly missed by his people, adding that he was a man full of compassion and love for humanity.

“We are still mourning his demise. Chief Dubem Onyia was not only a pillar and bedrock in Ngwo, he stood as an architect of love, discipline, and great ideas that helped pull many out of the pit of poverty. He was a leading light to our people, and we thank God for blessing us with such a wonderful gift,” he added.

… As Enugu rally around governor across party divides

… _We owe you the truth – Monsignor Obiora Ike_

_Edeoga, Enugu NASS Caucus hail_

… _I won’t betray your trust, Mbah tells Enugu citizens_

The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah, has commended the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah on what he described as highly improved security of lives and property in the state.

He equally lauded his infrastructural transformation efforts and overall speedy development of the state, describing him as a trailblazer in the business of governance.

Bishop Onah spoke at a surprise birthday dinner put together in Mbah’s honour by his aides and admirers across party lines and religious denominations to mark his 53rd birthday in Enugu on Monday evening.

At the event, which had in attendance the former governors Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as well as Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Senator Okey Ezea and Member representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Agbo both of Labour Party as well as several other opposition leaders, leaders of various religious bodies, the Catholic clergy commended Mbah for recognizing the contributions of his successors and for his all-inclusive approach to governance.

“Building on successive achievements of the leaders of this state without exception, Gov. Mbah has consolidated.

“If you don’t know what to do about security, come to Enugu State. You are doing well and a lot on security.

“So, we are all here to pray for you to continue your good work,” he stated.

Also speaking, Catholic priest, teacher and scholar, Rev. Monsignor Obiora Ike, commended the governor for keeping the state secure and peaceful, while also vowing to continue to stand by the governor, telling him the truth at all times to ensure he did not derail.

“The previous governor, another former governor and the current governor are all sitting completely together here, one next another. There is something convincing about this. It is your demeanour and humility that make it possible. Others will say, ‘it is only me that will stand as a king,’ but that is not who you are and what you do,” Monsignor Ike, who is also a professor, stated.

Earlier in their goodwill message, the Enugu State Caucus, House of Representatives, comprising members of the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party, also eulogised the governor’s performance and leadership style.

“We proudly identify with your laudable efforts in the transformation of our state through your inclusive development governance model.

“We wish you many happy returns, divine wisdom and support as you superintend over the affairs of our dear state,” the Caucus said.

Likewise, the Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship election, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, in his goodwill message on several news channels, commended Mbah and prayed for God’s continued wisdom and grace upon him and his leadership.

Meanwhile, Governor Mbah, while expressing profound gratitude to the people and leaders of the state, who looked beyond political and all manner of divides to accord him a pleasant surprise and continue to support his administration, vowed that he would never let them down.

“In October 2022, when we outlined our plans and vision, we promised Ndi Enugu that we are going to make Enugu State the premier destination for business, investment, for leisure and for living.

“We also said that beyond growing our economy to an exponential level, we were also going to eradicate poverty, which is largely responsible for our grassroots and all-inclusive approach to development where nobody is left out.

“We made a promise that day that we were going to serve with every fiber of our being; that we will not betray the trust. I am also standing before you this evening to reenact that promise that I will not let you down. And we are not going to betray your trust. We are going to serve you with every fiber of our being,” Mbah assured.

Friends and well wishers of Lady Mrs Janet Ngene from far and near gathered at the country home of Late Hon. D. O. Ngene in Amechi Obuoffia Awkunanaw, a suburb of Enugu on 23/02/25 in celebration of her 77th birthday.

The celebration, which brought to the fore the unsung song of an amazon, of a Florence Nightingale, kicked off with a church service in David Ngene Memorial Methodist Church, Amechi Obuoffia, after which guests gathered at the palatial home of the Ngenes for entertainment.

Lady Janet Ngene was born on February 2, 1948 in Umuatugboma, Akegbe Ugwu, a suburb of Enugu, the then capital of colonial South Eastern Nigeria.
She trained as a nurse and midwife, bagging a diploma in midwifery in the UK.

From1964 when she started nursing practice, she has extensively traversed the whole gamut of the nursing and midwifery profession and more! working in several health establishments. At various times, she had worked at General Hospital, Udi and Oji River, respectively, Massey Street Children’s Hospital and Laffia Infirmary both in Lagos, Eastern Nigerian Medical Centre, Enugu, and Institute of Management and Technology (IMT Enugu) Clinic. In 1976, she worked in the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital Aiylesbury, England, UK before she flew back to Nigeria.

Perhaps, it may not be wide of the mark to say that her most outstanding contributions in the healthcare delivery for thousands of people south of Enugu and other areas spanning parts of Nkanuland and Awgu was recorded from 8 May, 1982, when the Hospital, Chumaoke Hospital and Maternity, Obuoffia Awkunanaw, was commissioned. Prior to this, she had started, in 1978, a one-bedded hospital which later became 8 bedded. As the oak sleeps in the acorn, this later metamorphosed into the bigger outfit of Chumaoke Hospital and Maternity. Records show that the Hospital attended to over 17000 women, and more than 8,000 children delivered therein.

At a time, the facility was accredited to train nurses. Doctors and other medical professionals on NYSC were posted to the outfit for their primary assignments. Of interest is the fact that former Enugu State governor and a world renowned authority in foetal medicine, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, delivered his first baby as a doctor in this hospital in 1985 when he took up a job in the hospital. The French multilateral health charity, *Doctors Without Borders* (Medicine Sans Frontieres) that provides humanitarian medical care occasionally sent medical teams to partner with the hospital in its charity health work.

Similarly, and in furtherance to the services rendered by the hospital, she floated and operated the NGO, *Community Health Initiative Nigeria* that goes with the acronym, *CHI NIGERIA*, with a focus on health education, improved water supply, effective sanitation; and touching lives with a view to reducing maternal/infant mortality rate in undeserved communities across rural Nigeria. In this vein, and leveraging on the NGO facilities, she collaborated with UNICEF and WATERAID. She was a UNICEF Consultant on Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) of Malaria in Pregnancy (MIP) having attended the UNICEF organised regional training of the trainer workshop in Ghana in 2003. She was involved in the step down of the IPT/MIP training programme in most of the states of Nigeria as organised by UNICEF. She is also a UNICEF trained health facility assessor, counsellor and change agent.

Besides her healthcare work and charity activities she, twice, served as Supervisory Councillor for Health in the old Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State. She was a member of Governing Council of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital of Bayero University, BUK, Kano. She also served for 4 years as a Council Member in the Governing Council of Enugu State University of Science Technology (ESUT).

As a public intellectual, Lady Ngene authored two books; one is titled, *Rural Health Care* (A glimpse of Service to Humanity) published in 2003, highlighting the story of her health care delivery services to the rural population since 1978; and, the other, *Aids to Practical Obstetrics Practice* (A text Book for Nurses/Midwives/Medical Students) published in 2009. She was a member of the Board of National library of Nigeria.

Arguably, Lady Janet Ngene is the Florence Nightingale of Nkanuland having, for half a century plus a decade, burried herself on safe motherhood – integrated maternal and infant healthcare delivery services, malaria in pregnancy, immunization, family planning, hygiene education/sanitation, which form the bulk of the challenges that confronted the vast population of Nigerians who are orphaned by economics.

She is the widow of Late Hon. D.O. Ngene, who was a member of old Anambra state House of Assembly (1979 to 1983) and a one time Commissioner for Finance in Enugu State.

Some of the guests spotted at the occasion included the former Nigeria Ambassador to Poland, Gen. Chris Ugwu, ex-Enugu State Commissioner, Barr. Emeka Okeke and his wife, Dr Suhanyah, a Consultant Ophthalmologist/ Ophthalmic Surgeon. Some traditional rulers from Nkanuland were also present. The Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze (Barr) Obiora Igwesi, HRH Igwe Ferdinand Ukwu, the traditional ruler of Amechi Obuoffia, and others graced the occasion. Also present were former Enugu State Permanent Secretary, Sir Emma Agbo, Chief Ijego Ukwu, ex-Director, Enugu State Civil Service, Chief Akonam Aneke, Enugu businessman and Chief Executive, Quarter Press Nigeria Ltd., and a host of others that included children who were born in the hospital who have grown into adults and prominent people in different walks of life who were on hand to pay homage to the amazon.

Friends and well wishers joined Odalije Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa on Sunday, 6 October, 2024, in his country home, Obuoffia Awkunanaw, Nkanu West Council Area, Enugu state to commemorate one year anniversary of the call to glory of his elder brother, Chief Edwin Ohaa. The Late Chief Edwin Ohaa (1957 – 2023) died on 6 October, 2023 following injuries sustained in a fatal car crash in Abuja.

The one year anniversary witnessed a memorial church service in the Anglican Church, Obuoffia and reception in the home of the Ohaas immediately after the service.

The event was marked by the presence of numerous friends of Odalije Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa from the clergy to business, academia and politics.

The clergy included the officiating Anglican priest, Dr. N.N.P.C. Aghadi, archdeacon of the Anglican Church, Obuoffia; Archbishop of Aba Methodist Archidiocese, Bishop Okenwa; Methodist Bishop of Awkunanaw Diocese, Bishop Mark; Bishop of Nike Diocese, Anglican communion, Bishop Onyia; Archbishop of Enugu Methodist Archdiocese, Bishop Emmanuel Ede; and a host of others.

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In attendance equally were several Enugu political heavy weights. These included, former governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; present deputy governor, Ifeanyi Osai; two former State PDP Chairmen, Engr Vita Aba and Chief Ikeje Asogwa, Ide Iheaka; Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea (represented); Rt. Hon. Nnoli Nnaji (Ozoigbondu) MHR; Prince Emeka Odo, former Chairman of ESIRS; Rt. Hon. Dr. Chinedu Nwamba, former House of Assemby Member; Hon Tony Nwankwo, member State House of Assembly; State Chief Fire Officer, Engr Daniel Okwudiri Oha; Chief Chukwujekwu Nebo, Chief Emeka Okpara; several former Council Chairmen: Hon. Sam Ngene, Hon. Ignatius Ishienyi, Hon Henry Okenwa, Hon. Orlando Sunday Nnamani, Hon. Onyeka Onwe, Hon Afam Nnaji (Okiti); present Awgu Council Chairman, Hon. Uche Okolo.

Also in attendance were ex-commissioner Emeka Okeke; Chief Nana Ogbodo (Igede n’Nkanu), communication guru and former spokesman for 2023 Enugu state PDP Campaign Council; Prof. Paschal Okolie, former Enugu state Accountant General; Dr Maxwell Ngene, lecturer and Media Consultant; Prof. Agbo Anike, former ESUT Vice Chancellor; Prof. Ekwochi, Provost ESUT College of Medicine; Prof. Aloysius Okolie, Vice Chancellor, ESUT; Prof. Chinwuba Owo; members of ESUT Governing Council, and a host of other friends from the academia.

Odalije Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa is a notable philanthropist with a civil/public service career that spanned several years, culminating in his appointment as the Accountant General of Enugu State and later a federal Permanent Secretary. He is presently the Council Chair/Pro-Chancellor of ESUT Governing Council.