The people of Ohafia Kingdom, Abia State are putting finishing touches to accord a befitting funeral to their late monarch, His Royal Paramountcy, Prof Emmanuel Ume Lekwa Imaga, the Udumeze of Ohafia, on July 6, at his country home, Elu Ohafia.
The burial Central Working Committee, chaired by Prince Kalu Ikpemini with Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN as co-chairman, has in a press statement signed by the Secretary, Uma Ntima, noted that the funeral starts July 3 through July 6, the final rites of passage of the late monarch.
After a thanksgiving service at the Presbyterian Church, Isiama Parish on Sunday, July 7, Dr. Uma Ukpai will conduct an interdenominational service comprising the monarchs of the 26 villages, the Ohafia clergy and community leaders at Achichi Ohafia.
The Committee has promised to give the late monarch a funeral, befitting his status and accomplishments.
“The unique Ohafia tradition, custom and culture will be on display in the week long activities, while not undermining the late monarch’s Christian faith and belief.
“The academic community where the late monarch spent most of his adult life culminating to the attainment of the status of a professor will not be left out in the chain of the activities, as a day of tributes and exhibition of his academic works will equally form part of the obsequies,” the statement emphasised.
The late monarch’s reign equally ushered in unprecedented harmony amongst Ohafia citizens and unity of purpose within the clan, leading to the reawakening of the relevance of the Ohafia community in the politics of Abia State and Nigeria.
The Committee enjoins all well meaning Ohafia sons and daughters residing in Nigeria and in the diaspora, including friends, neighbouring communities and in-laws of the Ohafia people to participate physically and virtually in all the activities marking the Udumeze’s final rites of passage.
