Okija Stands Still As Hon. Uju Buries Mother-in-Law Amid Outpouring of Tributes
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Rita Onuoha
OKIJA, ANAMBRA STATE — Okija stood still on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, as family members, political associates, community leaders, traditional rulers, social-cultural organisations and well-wishers gathered for the burial of Mrs. Eunice Onukelobi (née Ibeneme), mother-in-law of former House of Representatives member, Hon. Engr. Kingsley Chima Uju, popularly known as Omeudo.
Mrs. Onukelobi, who died at the age of 86, was laid to rest at Ochalegbu Primary School, Okija, Ihiala LGA, Anambra State, in a ceremony that attracted a large gathering from different parts of Nigeria and beyond.
Among those present were former Imo State governorship candidate under the Action Alliance (AA), Hon. Uche Nwosu, who came second in the 2019 Imo State governorship election, and members of his entourage.
Also at the burial was Hon. Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Ike Cubana, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) House of Representatives candidate for Idemili North/South Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, alongside members of his entourage.
The event also attracted political figures, serving and former public officials, traditional rulers, social and cultural organisations, women groups, youth bodies and other dignitaries.
A notable presence was that of the “Omeudo Women” drawn from the 27 local government areas of Imo State, who joined other groups in paying tribute to the deceased.
Nwosu, who served as Chief of Staff to former Imo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Rochas Okorocha, said his presence was primarily to show solidarity with Uju, his in-laws and the people of Okija.
He described death as a necessary end, particularly when it occurs at an advanced age, while noting that the large turnout reflected Uju’s extensive network of relationships across different sections of society.
“I am here today in solidarity with my brother and friend Hon. Uju Kingsley to bury his mother-in-law in Okija. Here is very lively and a reflection of the larger social network of Uju as you can see from the magnitude of people of different social status abandoning their engagement to pay tributes to late Mrs. Eunice Onukelobi (Nee Ibeneme) aged 86 years.”
Nwosu also called for peace, lawful conduct and support for good governance across the country.
“I encourage Imolites, Anambrans, and Nigerians who are here today to continue to live in peace, law abiding citizens and support good governance for development, and May the good Lord grants the soul of Mama Eunice eternal rest and to everyone affected by the demise the heart to bear the loss”, Nwosu remarked.
For Iyiegbu, his attendance was an expression of friendship and respect for Uju, whom he described as a good friend and leader.
Ike Cubana, elder brother of socialite and philanthropist Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, said the gathering was not politically motivated.
“I am here to pay tribute to my friend's mother-in-law burial. And it's good to be good to people without tribal limitation, Hon. Kingsley Uju is a good man. And I and my entourage are here to bury his mother-in-law, not political”, he concluded.
The Oguta State Constituency Action Peoples Party (APP) candidate for the 2027 election, Apostle David Lemchi Ebirim, also attended the burial in solidarity with Uju.
Ebirim said Uju’s contributions to the people of the Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency made it important for friends and associates to stand by him during the bereavement.
“I am here for Omeudo. He has done enough for the people of Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency, and such person needs all the necessary emotional and material support in a time like. This is not political as a you can see from the crowd. No political chants, no placard, just Imo State and Nigerians in their numbers to solidarized with Omeudo,” he said.
Speaking after the burial, Uju expressed appreciation to God and the numerous guests who travelled from different locations to attend the ceremony.
“I want to return all glory to God. As you can see, the weather is very bright and have not rained since today. It shows that God is with us, the land of Okija is with us, the land Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta, Oru-West and Imo State are with us. What will I say, that these number of people from Nigeria and outside Nigeria came here to honour the life of one person, my late mother-in-law and the grandmother of my children Mrs. Eunice Onukelobi (Nee Ibeneme).”
He said he personally assisted with arrangements at the venue to ensure that guests were properly attended to, describing their presence as a gesture he would not take for granted.
“That is why you see me even helping out to serve people to ensure that everyone is attended to because it's not easy for someone leave his or her destination to be here. Having said this, I returned all glory and adoration once again to God.”
Uju further thanked people from Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta and Oru-West for their support.
“For the people of Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta, and Oru-West, I want to thank you specifically for showering this kind of love on me and I will not take it for granted. What I will say is this, I will continually reciprocate this kind gesture and I pray that God grants everyone safe journey to their destinations,” he concluded.
Other dignitaries included members of the Omeudo Academic Group led by Prof. Innocent Madufor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), former Oguta LGA Chairman, Hon. Ijeoma Ofili, Chief Emeka Uzoka and other political, community and social leaders.
The ceremony featured performances by various socio-cultural groups, musical artists, DJs and a live band. Friends and well-wishers also made presentations, while multiple food vendors attended to the large crowd.
The burial brought together people from different communities and social backgrounds, with the proceedings largely centred on mourning the deceased, celebrating her life and supporting the bereaved family.
