- * As Imo State Mourn Him In Style For His Kind Deeds
By Gloria Acholonu (Imo State Correspondent, who was in Oguta)
For the popular Oguta Ameshi Community in Orlu Senatorial District of Imo State, South East, Nigeria, a big tree that had sheltered the people of that Community and which had brought hope and progress to them, has fallen!
Since Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023, Oguta has been in deep mourning as one of the celebrated and most appreciated benefactor of the ancient Community, a retired Federal Commissioner in the former Board of Customs, Immigration, and Prisons Services during the military regime of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Ogbuagu Oputa Eugene Iworisha, passed on after a brief illness in his base at Aba, Abia state, at the age of 84 years. He hailed from Abatu village in Oguta, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
Not only that, Oguta also lost his beloved wife, Chief (Mrs.) Ogbuefi Veronica Ukachi Iworisha (Nee Nwaiwu). She died at 78 years on Thursday, April 20, 2023, barely two months after her husband's death. The couple who were buried same day in a colourful funeral ceremony that is going to last the whole of this weekend, were married for 49 years, according to a transition statement by their son, Ogbuagu Ogedi Iworisha.
The deceased Ogbuagu Iworisha was renown as a great Man of honour whose good gestures, over the years, has impacted positively on the people and Oguta Ameshi in general. He was immensely appreciated for giving employment opportunity to a great number of Oguta Indigenes, people of the South East Zone and indeed Nigerians from other parts of the country in the customs, immigration, prison and other para-military services, using his position as Federal Commissioner in the Board of Customs, Immigration and Prisons Services.
Many beneficiaries of his massive employment gestures at the time, are now senior officers in their respective service commands. Thus, many families in Oguta and elsewhere who hitherto had no hope of having their children and family members secure jobs in the federal civil service and in the nation's para-military forces, eventually did so through his kind gestures.
Iworisha, because of this and more, was so loved, so respected, so appreciated and profoundly honoured even with Chieftaincy titles by the people of Oguta Amesh Community commonly referred to as "Obodo girigiri" or "Obodo Oma" (land of beauty).
The late elderstateman was regarded in his lifetime by the people of Oguta as the "undisputed No 1 Citizen of the town, a Good Man with a Good Wife, a Patriot". His death evoked a lot of communal emotions and nostalgic feelings among Ndi Oguta.
An indigene, Mr Shedrack Chuka Orjiakor, lamented helplessly during his burial along with his wife thus: "When shall we get another kind leader, another benefactor like them again?"
The family's funeral statement also said that Iworisha had held many other Public Service Appointments including the position of Press Secretary to Colonel Anthony Ochefu, the then Governor of the old East Central State, a position which distinguished him not only as a well grounded appointee but also as a result-oriented Public Officer.
According the statement, Ogbuagu Oputa Eugene Iworisha, more recently was the Chairman of the Imo State Oil Producing And Development Commission (ISOPADEC), a position he used to positively impact Oil-Producing Communities in the state on equity and on the 13% Oil Derivation.
The statement however described both the deceased and his departed wife as humble, charitable, accommodating and development-conscious people. "He (Ogbuagu Oputa Eugene iworisha) was a metaphor for selflessness and betterment of the society as his life was committed to Human Development efforts which he pursued with passionate zeal and tenacity of purpose".
Born on September 21, 1939 in Iworisha Uzukwu family of Abatu village, Oguta, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State. He attended his Elementary School at Sacred Heart Catholic School, Oguta. Iworisha, thereafter, quickly secured admission into Saint Peters Clavers Seminary, Okpuala in 1951.
At this time, he had an interest to become a Catholic Priest. At the Seminary, he was privileged to be mentored by such renowned Clerics as the Bishop Anthony Nwedo and the Monsignor Nwanegbo of the blessed memory. Even after choosing a different pathway, the influences of these Great Men of God still guided him until his recent call to glory on the February 22, 2023 with his beloved wife who could no longer live without his lovely presence as decided by their Creator on the 20th April, 2023.
Ogbuagu Oputa Eugene iworisha acquired much on-the Job Professional Training from High Institutions both locally and Internationally.
At the home front, he was not only a Community Leader but also a Traditional and Religious leader. In recognition of his towering contributions toward Human and Societal Development, he was honored with the Membership of the Prestigious Igbuu Society of Oguta with the accompanying traditional title of Ogbuagu of Oguta Ameshi.
The people of Ehume and Umunachi autonomous Communities in Obowo Local Government Areas honored him as “Onye Oma Ndi Igbo” of Ehume / Umunachi. Also in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, he was similarly honored as Jarman of Gwagwalada, Abuja. Iworisha and his beloved wife, Veronica Ukachi, were laid to rest on Friday, May 5, 2023, at his residence, on No. 1, Chief Oputa Iworisha Road, New Layout Oguta; Imo State.
He is survived by his Son, Ogbuagu Ogedi Iworisha; Mrs. Nkemdilim Akoma (Daughter); Master Adizua Iworisha (Grandson) and a host of other relations.
Those who were in attendance at the burial including the former Controller-General of the Customs, Chief Benard Shaw Nwadialo, the Assistant Control General of Prisons, Abuja; Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, also an indigene of Oguta, but working in FCT.
Others are Ifeanyi Amariri, the Imo State Controller of Prisons; the Commander, Training School Prisons, Chuks Mazi; Engr. Ogbuagu Ernest Nwapa, former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Monitoring Development Board (NCDMB) and Chris Okoye, Comtroller Immigration.
There were other attendees like Mrs Elendu, an Assistant Controller General (ACG) of Immigration; the former Commissioner of Imo State, A. N. Koga in the NDDC. The Comtroller Ondo State Customs, Mrs. Nelly Ohanyere, the former PPRO Immigration Mr. Ben Obua, among others. NNL.
