Jingles, songs and stories of this degree of splendor and rarity, formed the spices of moonlight tales when we were younger. Great men and women of such calibers are natural offerings of epic proportions to humanity. We are often led to learn of their stories to impact us positively and inspire us to prominence. In most cases, they are narratives that never saw reality, but in this case, we are witnessing such greatness in human form, unfolding right before our eyes.
The man under the spotlight today, our father, His Royal Highness, Eze Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu fills the box for such greatness. His life is helping us in demystifying those tales. Indeed, what a time to actually exist alongside him. Of such men, the Swiss Philosopher and Poet – Henri Frédéric Amiel exalted, that ‘Great men are the real men, in them nature has succeeded.’ And it goes without saying that in our great father, nature has truly triumphed, for he is a rare gift of nature to humanity.
Said to have been born in the year 1940 in his grandfather’s house in Oferekpe Agbaja, His Royal Highness, Eze Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu began early to show identical spots for outstanding traits. His penchant for independence, dint of hard work and consistency of character were loins not far-fetched from his parents – Chief Nwankpu Opoke (Ogbaribe Okposhike) and Chief Mrs. Nwofoke Nwankpu (Oteru anu gbajiru eku). One can only image the depth of discipline and marveling aura of the family, for we know that Lions beget their type.
Permit your wits to additionally note, that his maternal genealogy roots in Otsokporo Ezza Inyimegu - the Ebem family. His grandmother’s name was Nwambam Ebem. Oteru anu gbajiru eku, his mother gave birth to two surviving sons, no daughter(s). The late Nwaoga Nwankpu is his elder brother. He passed on after their father. Impliedly, Eze Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu is the second son of the family of Chief Nwankpu Opoke. Ogbaribe Okposhike’s wife, Chief Mrs. Nwofoke Nwankpu died so early, when Eze Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu was a little boy. It was his father, Chief Nwankpu Opoke who took care of him from his tender times.
Education and Learning
Without an iota of doubt, nature has remained the source of all true knowledge. It contains the fundamental truth of our existence as humans. In its vast complexity, holds the essential precisions of our lives. And so, from his tender times, Eze Nwifuru Nwankpu wielded natural wisdom. This offered him lessons on resilience, adaptability, balance, independence and passion for development. In today’s parlance, we refer to it as native intelligence. He possesses this natural intelligence ability from childhood.
Besides the blessing of native intelligence and wisdom, he had the opportunity of being within the four walls of a classroom, where he attended from standard one to two. Late Nwaoga Nwankpu his elder brother got married and this made their father to pull Eze Nwifuru Nwankpu out of school, because he had no other person to tend to his numerous cows.
Strict obedience and discipline were the norm. He had no other option than to respect his father’s wishes and began taking care of his father’s cows, goats, sheep and virtually every other thing. C.S. Lewis will always remind us, that ‘Obedience is the key that opens every door.” Inadvertently, he may have been denied the opportunity of completing his formal education, but his obedience and respect for his father had gone ahead of him to win him laurels and successes. In truth, nature has a beautiful way of taking care of its own.
Occupation
His Royal Highness, Eze Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu is a practical and rich farmer. He nurtured the passion and love for farm work as early as a 10-year-old boy. It was his regular habit and call to accompany his father to his large farmland from that age. The little Ezekiel was methodical and adventurous. He would go along to pick pieces of yam deemed to have been rejected by workers in his father’s farmland and bring them back home. One can only imagine such dedication and resolve. At home, he made heaps of his size and age behind his father’s house and planted the yam seedlings he had picked up from his father’s farmland.
It is just mind-blowing, that at that age he already developed sparkling imaginations, a fertile mind and willingness to work hard, take risks and executing whatever plans he had in mind. And so, during time for harvest, little Ezekiel would harvest his own yam behind his father’s house. This he did numerous times during various farming seasons, not knowing that Chief Nwankpu Opoke, his father, kept a close eye on his deftness and desire to be a man.
On a particular harvest season, his own little farm behind his father’s house yielded so beautifully, even though in small amounts, but his produces were more appealing to the eyes than that of his father in that farming season. An American entrepreneur and author, Jim Rohn reminds us, that “Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.” Little Ezekiel had put in the hard work, done the simple daily maths and his results were marveling.
After that season, his father called him and gave him a good pat on the back. He said to him, ‘I will give you a land and some yams for the next farming season, so that you will widen your coast.’ Little Ezekiel was deeply delighted by this news and deserving gift from his father. When the land was pointed to him, he went on to clear it, did some preliminary farm work on it. Time for farming came and he planted the yams that his father had given to him. It was a rich harvest that saw his yields in hundreds, to the chagrin of his father and onlookers. And so, from then on, he went on to expand his farmland and became one of the richest farmers in Izhi land.
Social and Married Life
His Royal Highness, Eze Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu is a complete definition of a personality who sacrifices himself to the service of his people. He has a cheerful personality, friendly and has a fondness for connecting with his people. His qualities can be likened to that of a honey attracting bees. Such a father of all who is fond of playing ‘eçhē’ or ncho with his people under a good shade accompanied by a tasteful palmwine.
He is not given to dancing, singing or parties. He understands such as frivolities, and in truth, it trickled down to all his children. You can seldomly find a son or daughter of Eze Nwifuru Nwankpu clubbing, partying or dancing.
His Royal Highness Eze Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu is truly, greatness in human form. His doggedness, disposition and panache to life is peerless. He did not marry early due to some unforeseen challenges of life. But when he decided to begin his married life, it oozed greatness all round. He is married to nineteen (19) wives, but living with seventeen of them today. Two (2) of them are no longer living with him at the moment. Names of his wives are (According to seniority):
1. Mrs. Nwankwo Nwifuru
2. Mrs. Nwophe Nwifuru
3. Mrs. Nwodom Nwifuru
4. Mrs. Okweru Nnenna Nwifuru
5. Mrs. Okemini Nwifuru
6. Mrs. Rose Nwifuru
7. Mrs. Nwanyigwe Nwifuru (k’ezia)
8. Mrs. Mbam Nwifuru
9. Mrs. Mary Nwifuru
10. Mrs. Augustina Nwifuru
11. Mrs. Grace Nwifuru
12. Mrs. Uzoma Nwifuru
13. Mrs. Nwanyigwe Nwifuru
14. Mrs. Roza Nwifuru
15. Mrs. Obioma Nwogbala Nwifuru
16. Mrs. Obiageli Nwifuru
17. Mrs. Marcelina Nwifuru
18. Mrs. Nneka Nwifuru
19. Mrs. Obioma Nwifuru
The celebrant is a core traditionalist who believes in doing the right thing and standing by justice, peace, and truth. The decision of the entire people of Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community with seventeen (17) villages, to enthrone him as Chibugo 1 of Oferekpe Autonomous Community, is simply, fitting. He will surely be one of the best things to have come to Ndu Ophereke. He will serve humanity in all fairness and love, to the Glory of God Almighty, Amen.
Congratulations Ikeoha 1 of Oferekpe Agbaja!
Congratulations Ekweta Ome!
Congratulations Ogbuji Ota!
Congratulations Oko Ngele Azu L’abo!
Congratulations Onyibe!
Congratulations Nwoke obu oma!
Congratulations Udo ka ree!
Congratulations Onye Ire l’anu!
Congratulations Nnajioha!
- #FON
