The family of Ede Ani Ede of Umuonovo Ubuchi kindred in Orji village of Obiagu Uwani Akpugo in Nkanu West LGA has announced December 29, 2021 for the funeral ceremony of their son, brother, uncle father and grand father Late Chief John Ede.
Aged 86, Chief John Ede who died on the 5th of February 2021, and was buried immediately according to his wish.
A statement signed by Mr Sunny Edeh, son of the deceased, noted that the funeral ceremony would commence with a funeral Mass at Community School field Obiagu Uwani Akpugo, (Obodo Edenwene) by 12 noon on Wednesday 29, December 2021.
According to the Programme, condolences and entertainment of guests commences at 1:30pm.
Late Chief John Edeh was born in the year 1935 into the family of late Pa Edeh Ani Edeh, a renowned hunter in orji village Obinagu Uwani Akpugo Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
His father, populary known as ‘’ọtụmgbọ na egbu anụ ewọrọ’’ was married to late Eshiru Agu of Amauzam Ugboka in Nkanu East L.G.A and the union was blessed with three sons and a daughter. Late Chief John Edeh was the third son and last born of the family.
Chief John Edeh was married to Mrs Beatrice Edeh and late Mrs Ijeoma Edeh.
Mrs Beatrice Edeh was born to the family of Okoene Egbo in Ogbozinne Ndiagu Akpugo in Nkanu west L.G.A. of Enugu State. His marriage is blessed with four sons and three daughters.
Pa John Edeh’s early childhood experience was characterized with poverty and hardship. Credit to his widowed mother who struggled for survival to carter for the family due to untimely demise of her husband.
Consequently, Pa John Edeh could not embrace western education on time and also based on the fact that education was not in vogue in the community at the time. He spent his early life in the village doing menial jobs.
In the early 1950s, he left the village for Ibadan Oyo state, where he joined his elder brother Late Chief Michael Edeh, who was a blacksmith. His craftsmanship on metal works later took him to West African Cocoa Research Institute (WACRI) now known as Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) as a contract staff. His diligence and dedication to service earned him a place in the company until the tragedy of the Nigerian civil war in 1966.
He managed to return alive to the then Eastern Nigeria along with his elder brother and entire family, loosing everything they had acquired in the face of the turmoil.
During the thirty month war, he sojourned with his elder brother in the house of one Okwowigbo of Ezilo in Ebonyi state where they engaged in their blacksmith work until the war lasted.
Papa, popularly called ‘’Awe’’ which simply means “Friend” in Yoruba language was a man of many parts who believed in endless possibilities with vast experience in trading, animal husbandry and transport business.
He moved to Ogbete Enugu, where he became deeply involved in animal husbandry and Restaurant business. His business thrived until the old ogbete market was demolished for the construction of the present main market. Papa moved to Edeogodo street Agbani road Awknanaw Enugu and continued his business. This time around, he delved into transport business as he joined the national union of road transport workers (NURTW) Garki, Awkunanaw. He had in his fleet 504 saloon and station wagon cars.
Chief John Edeh’s survival abilities can not be over emphasized; he was known for hard work, honesty and benevolence. He was a giver per excellence. Many people knew him for and because of his selfless nature and on many occasions, some people attempted to even take advantage of him, but he would never be offended even when he discovers.
Papa, was also involved in bulk-trading of perishable foods such as fresh tomatoes from Jos and Bauchi State to Main market here in Enugu before he finally returned to the village in the year 1993 and settled down to integrate with his kinsmen having spent most of his youthful years outside the community. He engaged in local farming and family affairs until his children lured him back to the city again where he would be closely monitored and taken care of.
He lived his old age in peace until that faithful day, the 5th of February 2021 at the age of 86 years when he was called home to rest in the bosom of His creator.
Pa, a week before your demise, you insisted you must travel home to see your family, friends and church members. You came home and paid all your outstanding dues in the church and even asked the man who owed you not to bother about repaying. Little did we know that you had only one week to live. We are still in shock about this sudden exit, but we take solace in the word of the Lord; (Eccl. 3:1-2) “To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born and a time to die…..”
We are grateful for a life well spent and for the heritage you have handed over to us. You indeed stand tall even in death as ‘A hero’.
Your wife, children, grand children, relatives, friends, in laws, the church and the community will miss you greatly. We have drawn great inspiration from your life and times and we are committed to living out same and more impacting others just as you have impacted us.
Adieu friend of the people!
