Why we can’t announce Ojukwu’s death now –Kinsmen

Posted by admin Latest Politics Monday, November 28th, 2011

Compliance to the customs and tradition of the people of Nnewi may delay the official pronouncement of the death of Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu by the Igwe-in-council of Nnewi to the people of the town.
Daily Sun investigations in Nnewi yesterday revealed that when a man of influence dies in the town, his mother’s kindred and the traditional ruler of the town and his cabinet must be notified officially, for the onward proclamation to the town.

According to the President-General of the town (Nzuko-Ora-Nnewi), Chief Onyeka, the practice is to make sure that the issue of hearsay is absolutely ruled out.

“When prominent people die in Nnewi, it is expected that the Igwe and his cabinet be informed authoritatively, so that preparations for burial will commence, without this, he cannot make an official announcement. In this case, we have noticed that Ikemba’s children may not know the procedure, so we are convening a meeting where we will among other things, instruct Ojukwu’s kindred to advise the children on what to do”, Onyeka said.

He also said that after the meeting of the Igwe’s cabinet, the family may be advised to open up a condolence register in the ex-warlord’s Nnewi residence. Also Igwe K.O.N Orizu III told Daily Sun in his palace that the customs forbid that he makes a pronouncement until members of the family present a formal declaration. According to Ojukwu’s uncle, Chief (Sir) Eugene Edokwe, the deceased mother’s family will not make official preparations for mournig until they are officially informed.

“As Ojukwu’s maternal uncle, it will be against the tradition if our nephew’s (nwadiana), death is discussed without proper declaration to us, his mother’s kindred. So, far I have no comment to make”, Edokwe concluded.
When Daily Sun visited some shop owners, who opened for business, few meters away from Ojukwu’s home yesterday, they expressed their sympathy for his family and urged the members to make it known to the town, so that all can mourn the fallen Iroko properly.

One of them, Mr Celestine Mbaama, a patent medicine dealer and non-indigene, said: ‘It is not proper that we should hear about the man’s death on television and in newspapers. He was a man of courage, stamina and determination, so the family should make haste and inform the town, so that all the appropriate respect should be accorded him’.

-Sunwp_posts