•Agba (in red) with a guest
On January 4, 2024, at the Abiriba Central School field, Amaogudu, the family, friends and well wishers of Abia born journalist, Mazi Peter Agba Kalu, gathered to give the last traditional rites of honour to the matriarch of the late Chief Agba Kalu Igboko family, late Chief (Mrs) Nneji Agba Kalu Igboko.
The world trooped down to Abiriba and those that could not make it, through their support, one way or the other, contributed to the success of the occasion.
•Dignitaries at the event
Those in attendance include the former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa; Samuel Onyisi Maduka, CEO, Peace Motors; Pro Chancellor Maduka University, Enugu, Chief Eze Nwakibeya Ndi Igbo and Igurube of Abiriba, Kelvin Jombo Onumah, aka Abiriba 1st son.
Others include Hon. Mandela Obasi, member representing Ohafia North constituency in Abia House of Assembly; kpakpando of Abiriba, Chief Jackson Agbai, Chairman, Dover Hotels Lagos; Innor Ibe, who came all the way from USA; Clinton Umeh of Journalist 101 and Leo Sobechi of the Guardian Newspapers.
Other dignitaries that graced the event were Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chief Anyansi Agwu, former governor of Ebonyi State, Sen. Sam Egwu and Raymond Okereke, who came all the way from UK.
The first person to call the mourner the next day to sympathize with him was Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu. This was when the family hadn’t made it public and how he got to know still dazed the mourner till date. He asked, “if it is true l lost my mom, l said yes.
Peter Agba Kalu said: “After sympathizing with me, he asked how old she was. l said close to 100 years. Then he said, well, even if she was 200 years old, you will still cry because she’s your mom. But, this is more of a celebration of life. Stop crying and call us together, let’s celebrate mama.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu after that was always calling and asking me what is delaying Mama’s burial.”
From OUK to the mourner’s big Oga the President of Masters Energy Oil & Gas and former Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Dr. Uche Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah to Chief Mrs. Chinyere Ina Kalu Agu, who came all the way from USA and Sis. Ugo Eziyi Lekwauwa.
Also there at event were Chief Eleanya John Onuoha, Prof Mkpa Mkpa Agu Mkpa, the former Vice Chancellor Abia State University, former Commissioner for Education and former Secretary Abia State Government, Chuks Joshua Omesie (aka) Chuks Digital, Dr. Kalu Agba Kalu, the American Deputy Mayor, Ifegwu Eziyi, Okoro Akanu Obasi and Agbai Agba Kalu
The traditional dancers train was led by the leader of the Ikperikpe Ogu War Dance, Chief Ibe Uko, who has taken the name of Old Bende across the globe with his team. Traditional dancers from Calabar and various Igbo communities graced the occasion too.
If not for timely intervention of Chief Harrison Arisa Onwuka and Chukwu Agwu Michael Chukwu Ebitu, the great Otu Enyi of UdoEna wanted to punish the mourner, Peter Agba Kalu, for his absence in several traditional events, on the excuse of being too busy. That’s the beauty of Abiriba tradition. Abiriba is a community that does not joke with its culture and tradition.
The good heart of the Otu Enyi of Udo Ena Prince Kalu Ebueme played a great role in pardoning the mourner, as he promised not to be absent in any meeting again. The Abiriba Age Grade traditional system is so strategic to the development of the community. They contributed a lot in gaining the community the “Small London” tag Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe gave them as far back as the 50’s.
Noticable also was the presence of Oti and Igwe Onwuka Obewu of the Obu Enyi family, Mrs Ndiya Eleanya Akuma from USA, Mie Karen Agba, Dominic Goodman Onyeadiri from UK, Chukwu Godwin Nwachinemere Egbuta, Alick Orji, who came all the way from Dallas,Texas and Otisi Ebitu Ukiwe, Ochiagha Ndigbo the second.
The son of a general is a general. Nze Akachukwu Sullivan Nwankpo, former Secretary, Sure-P during President Goodluck Jonathan’s era. All made their presence felt.
One of Nigeria’s greatest constitutional lawyers, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), George Ogbonnaya Ogburu, one of the topmost officers at FCMB; Hon Arua Arunsi, the first Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, three-time former commissioner and former Member Federal House of Representatives for Arochukwu/Ohafia Constituency. The contractor handling the rebuilding of Ariaria International Market, Engr. Henry Okoroafor; Mr. Tola Awoniyi all the way from Ogun State, Arc. Ole Onwukah, the CEO of Arc De Vinci Consulting, Abuja and the first daughter of Prof. Udeala, the former Vice Chancellor University of Nigeria, Ogbeyalu Udeala-Okoye were there.
Ikenna Larry Smith Ike, who is based in Turkey and Engr. Ken Ifeanyi Nwosu also came.
It was on a warm Sunday morning and the mourner was chatting with Barr. Anthony Olisa, the founder of Anyi Anyi Igbo Group and son of the oldest SAN in the South East and possibly Nigeria at the moment, when he got a call that his mother had slipped into coma. His niece, Ojiugo Ina Okameme, was the first to call over a family matter that needed his urgent intervention and he used the opportunity to inform her about what was going on. Later when told her great aunty was dead, she was wondering why he was so calm.
He informed Anthony Olisa too and since then, he was in touch and throw his strength behind him.
The story of Igurube of Abiriba, Agbodikeizu of Ohafia and Abiriba 1st Son Chief Kelvin Jombo Onumah appearing here twice or more is for a reason. He was always calling and assuring the mourner of his support and he lived up to that promise.
They said the bottom pot is the sweetest, that’s why the great Ugo’Ena of Abiriba, the first investor to bring private communication in the entire South-South and South-East also made things happen. Currently, the Mayor of Ohafia LGA, he added so much colour to the entire event on January 4.
Chief Eme Uche Eme cancelled escorting his wife to the airport on her way back to USA just to honour the occasion. Hon. Ukefi Oba, former member of Abia State House of Assembly, Nwaka Inem, the Special Assistant on Trade and Investment to Governor Alex Otti, Ogbonnaya Odim, Secretary Ohafia LGA, Dr. Eke Agbai, immediate past ACIU President and Senior Assistant to former President Obasanjo and Aku Obasi, director of Quanta Water, also attended.
The list is endless that you just have to pardon if the author forgot to mention you. But, he will not fail to mention former Chairman of Aba South LGA, Chief Okezie Erondu, who lead over 20 other Old School members to grace the occasion.
Again, we’re back to the Udo Ena Otutu Enyi of Erima Age Grade of Abiriba led by their humble and highly capable President, Prince Kalu Ebueme, who added so much life and colour to the event.
Without you people, one wonders what the mourner could have done. Esther Okoro Agba, Uche the Ike Abiriba Na Korea, and their Otutu Enyi. Esther Medo Ndukwe and Ada Uche, both came from USA. Mrs. Ezinne Dan Okafor
showed that her life reflects her name.