Tribute
THE people of Ohafia Kingdom in Abia State have began the rites for the funeral of their late monarch, His Royal Paramountcy, Professor Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga, the Udumeze of Ohafia.
The burial ceremony will take place on July 6 at his country home in Elu Ohafia.
Funeral Schedule and Activities
The funeral activities, organized by the Central Working Committee chaired by Prince Kalu Ikpemini with Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN, as co-chairman, began today July 3 to July 6.
The final rites will culminate in a grand burial on the last day. Secretary Uma Ntima highlighted the detailed schedule in a press statement.
Following the burial, a thanksgiving service will be held at the Presbyterian Church, Isiama Parish, on Sunday, July 7.
Dr. Uma Ukpai will then lead an interdenominational service at Achichi Ohafia, involving the monarchs of the 26 villages, the Ohafia clergy, and community leaders.
Honoring Tradition and Academic Legacy
The week-long activities will showcase the unique Ohafia tradition, customs, and culture, while respecting the late monarch’s Christian faith.
The academic community, where Professor Imaga spent most of his adult life and achieved the status of a professor, will also participate with a day dedicated to tributes and an exhibition of his academic works.
Legacy of Unity and Harmony
During his reign, the late monarch fostered unprecedented harmony among Ohafia citizens and unity of purpose within the clan.
This unity revitalized the relevance of the Ohafia Community in the political landscape of Abia State and Nigeria.
Call for Participation
The committee has called on all well-meaning Ohafia sons and daughters, both in Nigeria and the diaspora, along with friends, neighboring communities, and in-laws of the Ohafia people, to participate in the activities marking the Udumeze’s final rites of passage. Participation can be either physical or virtual, ensuring that everyone can be a part of this significant event.
Early Life and Education:
Professor Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga, was bom into the Umualekwa royal lineage of Lekwa Otike dynasty on September 20, 1942, as the last child of Ezie Nna Lekwa Imaga of the OKOCH- UYOM maternal family and Ije Lekwa Imaga (nee Igwe) of the Umu Olugu maternal family (llowu).
On completion of his elementary education, he obtained admission to Coronata Secondary School, and later attended the Federal College of Agriculture, Umudike where he obtained a diploma in Agriculture.
He also obtained a diploma in Labour Laws and Industrial Relations, and, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with honours from Delhi University in India.
He further bagged a Masters Degree in business Administration specializing in Production Management in 1979, and, a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resources Management in 1985.
Career
He began his lecturing career in 1981 at the College of Technology Owerri, after a brief stint as an Agricultural extension officer with the Ministry of Agriculture.
From 1981-1983 he was the project planner, project coordinator and manpower planner at the Imo State Ministry of Economic Planning
He also served as a Macro Economist and Management Analyst for the United Nations Development Programme in the South Pacific.
This assignment took him to Australia, New Zealand and Western Samoa. While in the South Pacific, he contributed substantially to the Western Samoan National University Programme and Correspondence Center.
On his retum to Nigeria in 1989, he joined the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was the Head, Department of Management Studies (1990-1994) and the Dean, Faculty of Business Administration (1994-1996). In 1997, he was appointed the Director of the Institute of Development Studies.
In 1992/93, during the transition to civil rule, he was appointed by the Federal Government as the Abia State Chairman for the NRC political party,
Marital Life:
Professor Imaga on one of his visits to Nigeria in 1977, fell in love with the delectable Ola Ume Imaga (nee Udo Kalu) and they got married in the same year. The union is blessed with three children.
Community Activities:
In 2002, Professor Imaga attained the elder statesman status in the Ohafia community, celebrated his Ota-Omu ceremony with his age grade, Ife Mba. He had great love for Ohafia his people, and, was in 2010 corronated as Ezie Ogo, The Ebiri of Elu, the ancestral capital of Ohafia people.
As Ezie Ogo of Elu he automatically became the paramount ruler over the 26 villa comprising Ohafia.
Hence, his position as the Ezie Ohamoha, the Udumeze of Ohafia Ancie
Kingdom
His reign was centered on giving the Ohafia people unity of purpose, enhancing infrastructu development and maintaining peace amongst the 26 villages of Ohafia and with Ohafia neighbours. His academic and professional accomplishments brought so much reverence an recognition to the Ohafla Udumeze stool.
Death:
The Udumeze of Ohafia, the Ebiri of Elu, His Royal Paramountcy, Professor Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga joined his ancestors on the 17th day of January, 2024. His death is a great loss to the Ohafia people and indeed, Abia State as a whole.
He was a distinguished leader, a pillar of the Ohafia Ancient Kingdom and one of Abia’s foremost traditional rulers. An educationist, agriculturist, macro-economist, management analyst and researcher. His contributions to the development and unity of Ohafia will always be remembered and cherished.
His immediate and extended family, the royal families of Umualekwa and Umuanya, the Ikwu Umu Olugu, the 26 villages of Ohafla, innumerable mentees & beneficiaries, and, indeed the entire Abia State are among those left behind to mourn him.
May his gentle soul rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen.
Adieu Great king!!!
SIGNED:
Ije-Ezinne Imaga Udonsi (FCA, ACTI)
ADA UDUMEZE OHAFIA
For the Family.
F.A
July 3, 2024
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