- * As Funeral Events Kicks-Off
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief) @CeleOkaf11
The popular political Nwodo family of Ukehe in Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu state has released the burial program of their patriarch and notable orator, Dr Joe Nwodo.
The late Joe Nwodo, widely known by his traditional title, the Agadagbachiriuzo 1 of Ukehe, died on March 10, in a London Hospital, at the age of 77 years.
Until his death, late Dr Joe Nwodo was the patriarch of the Nwodo family which includes other renowned politicians who are his younger siblings, like the former governor of Enugu state and ex-National Chairman and National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo; two-time former Minister and the immediate-past President-General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide and another renowned family orator, Chief John Nnia Nwodo Jnr.
Other popular Nwodo siblings are the current family matriarch and former Commissioner for Education in the old Anambra State, Chief (Mrs) Grace Obaji and Dr (Mrs) Valerie Azinge. The Nwodo siblings are the children of late Chief John Nnia Nwodo Snr., a former paramount ruler of Ukehe, second republic politician and former Minister.
According to a statement from the Co- Chairman of the Burial Committee, Prof Epiphany Azinge, there will be a night of tributes on Sunday May 30, 2021 at JD Leisure Center, Kashim Ibrahim Way, Maitama in Abuja, the nation's capital.
The Abuja program is intended to bring top political, economic and professional associates of the Nwodo family to give a deserving farewell and honour to one of the country's outstanding professional, lawyer and politician.
It is expected that the political exploits of late Joe Nwodo in the still born third Republic in the defunct National Republican Convention, NRC, will be remembered by his associates who are equally expected to grace the great night.
In Enugu on June 1st, 2021, there will also be another night of tributes at Chris Hall, Amodeo Event Center, behind Elim Plaza, off Ebeano Tunnel. And on Thursday June 3rd, there will be a valedictory Court session in his honour at the Justice I.A. Umezurike Auditorium, Enugu High Court.
Burial and funeral ceremonies will be in Ukehe on Saturday June 5, 202, with a funeral mass at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Ukehe and interment immediately after mass at Dr Joe Nwodo's Residence, Ukehe House.
Dr Nwodo completed his earthly race on the 10th of March, 2021, at a hospital in the United Kingdom after a protracted illness which he battled indefatigably. He lived a very fulfilled life, and was one of the most notable politicians to emanate from the Nsukka Cultural Zone also known as Enugu North Senatorial district, and indeed Nigeria.
Late Dr Joe Nwodo was once a Presidential aspirant of the defunct National Republican Convention, NRC, when he showcased a political style and flair that was second to none. He also keenly vied for the governorship of Enugu state in 1990/91 primaries, but was unfortunately disqualified along with Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi by the then military government of General Ibrahim Babangida, essentially on account of the acrimony that attended their campaigns and governorship primary.
His immediate younger brother and a medical doctor, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo was immediately drafted into the governorship race and Joe Nwodo's influence and strong political machinery eventually helped to ensure Okwesilieze's victory at the poll as governor of Enugu state.
According to a press statement on Sunday by Mr Ike Abonyi, a frontline Journalist, Media Adviser to the PDP National Chairman and a Co-Chairman of the Joe Nwodo's burial publicity sub-committee, the late Nwodo was described as "a social phenomenon. A man who wrote the most brilliant and sesquipedalian speeches. Gigantesque in size and in intellect.
"Many referred to his intellectual and literary ability as "a gift," inborn", "a knack", "a talent". One thing was certain, Joe Nwodo operated on a literary frequency higher than most, one that could only be compared to a supernatural being, "god-like". He was indeed a rare breed. A mastermind, and genius of our time.
"He was a lover of the poor. "Ochendo umu-ogbenyi". His love and ambitions for the great people of Nsukka was unfathomable as it was immeasurable. He is survived by his wife, children grandchildren, brothers, sisters, that includes the former Commissioner of Education in Enugu state, Chief Mrs Grace Obayi, former Governor of Enugu state, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, the former Minister of information and immediate past President General of apex Igbo organization, the Ohanaeze Chief John Nnia Nwodo and the great people of Nsukka who remained embedded deeply in his heart, mind and lips even at the point of death", the statement said. NNL.
