The Ochiagha, Oparaukwu Ibeku, Prince Benjamin Benedict Apugo, has said the ancestral consanguinity between Ibeku people in Umuahia and Ohafia people both in Abia State which dates back to the days of their forefathers, will continue to deepen despite demise of His Royal Paramouncy Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga, who contributed immensely in the shaping of Ohafia Udumeze Ancient Kingdom.
Prince Apugo, a custodian of Ibeku tradition and well known figure in Nigeria, who spoke at Elu Ohafia, Abia State on Saturday, during the burial of His Royal Paramouncy, Late Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga, admitted that over the years, the people of Ibeku and Ohafia have shared common ancestral beliefs and norms together.
He said it was because of the shared ancestry, beliefs and consanguinity that made His Royal Paramouncy late Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga while alive, to always visit his home for brotherly discussion on how to sustain, pass onto the next generation their common relationship with a view to sustaining it.
The Ochiagha, Oparaukwu Ibeku, who said he was shocked at the demise of the Monarch, revealed that before his demise, he visited him in his Ibeku home, stating that he never knew that it was the last he was going to see his friend whom he had enjoyed brotherly relationship with over the years.
"In his words, Prince Apugo said, "When he visited me recently, I didn't know that it was the last time I was going to set my eyes on him. I was shocked when the news of his demise was made public. It saddens me that he is gone at a time he is needed the more to further broaden the brotherly relationship between my people and his".
He said by coming to see him before his demise, His Royal Paramouncy Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga, behaved like a legend, insisting that the brotherly relationship between Ibeku and Ohafia people will continue to blossom, adding that during their "Iri ji festival", the Ibeku people include Ohafia people during cutting of yam, emphasizing that this is among various recognitions accorded them over the years.
Prince Apugo earlier during the funeral church service of His Royal Paramouncy Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga held at Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Cathedral, Isiama1, Elu Ohafia, Abia State, reminded those present of the inevitability of death, pointing out that it is a road everyone must go through irrespective of status just as he urged all to prepare for it.
Responding, a former Attorney General of Abia State and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Umeh Kalu, commended Prince Apugo for ensuring that the brotherly relationship between Ibeku and Ohafia people is passed to the next generation.
He alluded to the brotherly relationship, saying it dates back to the days of their forefathers, while admitting that the Ochiagha Ibeku has continued to deepen the relationship, promising that their younger generation will be duly intimated of the relationship while making a passionate appeal that Ibeku kingdom invite the people of Ohafia during their new yam festivals to further justify the brotherly relationship between them.
History had posited that Akwa Ibom, communities like Olokoro, Umuchieze, Itumbauzo, Ntalakwu Oboro all migrated from Isieke in Ibeku.
Opera news reports that dignitaries including: Governor Alex Otti, represented by his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the Commissioner Ministry of Trade, Commerce & Industry, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Udo Oko Chukwu, members of the State House of Assembly, Ikechukwu Martin Apugo, the President, Diamond Football Academy, Umuahia and a former aspirant of Umuahia/Ikwuano Federal Constituency seat, among others were present during the ceremony.