It was a moment of tribute at Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area as people from all walks of life gathered to pay last respect to the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Rowland Mmadukolu Odegbo.
Igwe Odegbo popularly known as Aborgu the Second who joined his ancestors on November second 2021, was a man of the people and very instrumental to the progress, development, peace and welfare of Ndi Nteje.
The Last Ovala which started with a Holy Mass at Sacred Heart Parish Nteje attracted the Anambra State Governor-elect, Professor Charles Soludo, Members of the State House of Assembly, Traditional Rulers, the academia, the National President Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Barrister Titus Akpudo, Transition Committee Chairman of Oyi Local Government Area, Chief Nnamdi Nwadiogbu, Nteje Traditional Cabinet Members and many others who came to bid farewell to Igwe Odegbo.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor-elect, Professor Soludo who said that Igwe Odegbo was his bosom friend, noted that he was a great traditional ruler in the state and always seeks for peace and tranquility to prevail in the society and that government tapped from his wealth of knowledge.
Professor Soludo disclosed that the demise of Igwe Odegbo was a big shock to him, because he was at the forefront of decisions for zoning and his emergence as the governor elect, adding that the consolation is that Igwe Odegbo ran a great race and left legacies that are indelible .
In a homily during the burial mass, Reverend Father Kizito Ezeanekwe said that life of a man is like a journey which requires focus and direction to achieve a goal which is life eternal and pointed out that Igwe Odegbo was a revered traditional ruler and prayed God for the repose of his soul.
Commiserating with Ndi Nteje and Odegbo family, the State Traditional Rulers Council through their Vice Chairman, Igwe Silvester Okafor of Okpuno went down memory lane of their relationship with Igwe Odegbo and the roles he played in ensuring that the council is united and that they held him to a very high esteem
In their separate speeches, the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Engineer Emeka Ezenwanne and the Vice President, Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene on behalf of the Old Aguata Union, described Igwe Odeogbo as a friend and the bridge between the OAU and Omambala region and advised his family to hold on to the legacies he left behind
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, Dr Uche Nwora and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government Matter’s, Chief Alex Onukwue said that the vacuum created by Igwe Odegbo will be difficult to fill and encouraged his wife and children to take solace in the Lord.
The first son of the late monarch, Mr Toby Odegbo said that their father was more than a friend, as he was their adviser, motivator and served as the backbone of the family.
The President General of Nteje Development Union, Ichie Beaneth Chinweze described Igwe Odegbo as a rare patriot, an unquantifiable philanthropist and priceless role model, and said that Nteje community will miss him so much.
Correspondent, Amaka Chibuzor Okoye reports that till his exit, Igwe Rowland Odegbo was a Co-Board Chairman, Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS.