The sociology of death and funerals is one of fundamental aspect of the Igbo traditional cosmology. Parents pray that their children should outlive them in order to give them a befitting burial.
They liken this to the same manner when fire dies out in the hearth, it is replaced by ashes, and when a banana tree withers, a sapling sprouts in its place. When Africans die, especially in Igboland, it is believed that they have merely travelled to another realm, and become ancestors, and hence, a funeral ceremony is a send-forth event.
The death of Lolo Patience Angela Onuokaibe is “A Glorious Exit”, “With Gratitude for a Life Well Spent”, “Ä Celebration of Life”.
In this regard, something happened on Saturday 10th June, at Mburubu, a community in Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State, Nigeria: the funeral ceremony of the mother of a man popularly known as ‘Ozo’ a real estate magnet, CEO of First Choice Afro Villa Estate, High Chief Engr Jerry Patrick Onukaibe. The burial of Ozo’s mum may be seen as a form of celebration, she died at 70, but it was a carnival send-forth that was immensely electrified.
The town of Mburubu has certainly never witnessed anything like this in recent past. Not even in the entire Nkanu East has anyone organised anything so loud, noble and unique. This was not only a celebration of life, it was a celebration of life well fulfilled in a grand style.
Mburubu is ordinarily a quiet community in Nkanu East, located in Nkanu West/Nkanu East Federal Constituency within Enugu East Senatorial District. This community will now be remembered for a long time, for the burial of the mother of a certain ‘Ozo’ Jerry. The role played by the media, and by Ozo’s friends as highly remarkable.
The burial ceremony was well organized and highly attended by the creme dela creme. It started with the Wakekeep on Friday 9th of June and the burial ceremony proper on Saturday 10th of June, with the colourful Church Service followed by committing the body to mother earth, then the procession by the Ozo Title Holders, Masquerades, Celebrities appearances led by the legendary ex international footballer Kanu Nwankwo (Papilo), the presence of Castle Majestic Sports Club of Nigeria led by High Chief Friday Emeka Edeh (Chairman of Castle Majestic Hotel Enugu), the popular musician Anyi Dons present at the event and host of top government functionaries led by the ALGON Chairman Enugu State, Hon. Solomon Onah.
Other dignitaries at the event include Hon. Chinedu Okwu (Otaka) member representing Aninri State Constituency, High Chief Lawrence Ezeh, the President Buzuzu Group of Companies, Chief Frank Anioma and host of others too numerous to mention.
While the world notes the passing of an icon, Mburubu community shares grief in tributes, memories and condolences sent to the Onuokaibe family members.
“Compiled & Published by Scorecard tv.“
