From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Ofo is an integral part of Igbo culture and history. It is the sacred symbol of truth, justice, law and authority.
It plays a vital role in rituals, prayers, oath-taking, pronouncing judgment, deliberations, policy-making within the family or community and invoking of blessings or curses.
Ofo has two definitions- Ofo as a tree and Ofo as a symbol of spirituality.
Ofo as a tree is held in great reverence in the Igbo community. The Ofo tree is called “Ukwu Ofo.”
Ofo as a symbol of spirituality is a sacred staff of authority and an emblem that links Chukwu Okike (the creator of all) and man, the dead and the living, as well as the unborn.
Thus, Umuonu Autonomous Community, Umuida, Enugu-Ezike, Enugu State, was agog recently during the Ofo title taking and award of certificate of honour to Nze Romanus Itodo, popular transporter and Managing Director of Romchi Mass Transit.
On that day, the council of elders of the community, the traditional rulers council, town union and the community general assembly came together to bestow the Ofo tree stick on Romchi as a symbol of reverence, spirituality and honour, as well as collectively showered prayers on him for God’s continued blessings based on the positive things he has done for his community.
He was also given a chieftaincy title of Ike Obodo 1 of Umuonu Community (the strength of the community).
The ceremony held at the compound of the eldest man in the community, Oluoha Ogbu nwa Agbaji was not only solemn, but provided a platform for the rich display of the Enugu-Ezike culture and how the town carries out its own reward system to appreciate noble deeds.
In his remarks before putting the cap with an eagle feather on the head of Romchi, the symbolic feather known in their local parlance as Awo, Oluoha Ogbu nwa Agbaji, noted that Romchi has distinguished himself as a patriot and philanthropist who is passionate about the welfare of the community.
He poured libation and invoked blessings on Romchi and his family. The centenarian noted that the special honour was a novelty in the annals of the community history because from that day henceforth, he was entitled to attend close circuit meetings of the council of elders, which ordinarily was reserved for people who have attained a certain age limit and also involved several initiation processes, pointing out that all those steps have been waved for Romchi because of his positive footprints in the community.
He blessed those who would bless Romchi and his family, warning anybody who the devil might want to use as an enemy of progress to plot any harm on him to desist or face the wrath of the spirits.
Traditional Ruler of the community, Igwe Ambrose Eze, Igijikwu 1 of Umuonu Autonomous Community, noted that Romchi has played significant roles in the community without expecting anything in return, saying that the community decided to honour him to show they were not an ungrateful people.
He presented a white ram to Romchi, telling him that they were solidly behind him.
The Town Union President, Umuonu Autonomous Community, George Omeke, in his address said the contribution of Chief Itodo to the development of their community cannot be overemphasised, noting that such has affected the life and welfare of Umuonu people positively.
He said that apart from appointing four persons from Umuonu as members of Board of Directors for his chains of business, which spans real estate, transportation, petroleum and hospitality, Romchi has offered employment to thousands of people and also empowered many others both within and outside Umuonu.
The honouree recalled his life journey coming from a humble family background with his father not being able to pay his fees to the high school.
Starting out as an apprentice trader in 1985, Romchi said he realised that God’s hand upon his life made it possible that he could today afford to train so many graduates from poor families in the university.
He recalled how he was instrumental to the brokering of peace between families in 2009 before he took the step further in mending disputes between the town union, abroad union and the community at large.
While presenting a cow to the community in appreciation, he announced a scholarship scheme through his Romchi Foundation, which would provide university education at no cost to the beneficiaries from the four village quarters of the community after screening to study in ESUT or UNN.
He also made it clear that he would not like to welcome those who might throng his house for “a thank you visit,” saying that he was not doing so to be appreciated by anybody.
The wife, Calister thanked the community for the honour done to them.
She recalled their marital journey in the last 21 years when they started in a rented apartment in Enugu and appreciated God for using them today as a channel of blessing to others.
President of Umuonu Progressive Union, National, Nze Aloysius Abugu, and the pioneer town union president, Boniface Omeke, described Romchi as an illustrious son whose honour was well deserved.