By Dr Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo.
Ivite Aguleri community in Anambra East LGA of Anambra state is set to hold the last outing in honour of Onowu M.E.I Anosike, their late traditional prime minister and former Chairman of Rulling council, on August 23, 2024.
This was announced in a statement jointly signed by Chief Dr Fidelis Ndigwe ( The Chairman of Ivite Aguleri Rulling Council) and Ogbuevi Uderike Godwin Anosike on behalf of the family.
According to the statement, the cultural event will take place at Central School Ivite Aguleri and will feature groups including the Ivite Aguleri Rulling Council, Council of Ndi-Ichie, Ndi Nze Na Ozo, Umuada, Ndi Ekwu Na Iyom, Ivite Aguleri youths and entire Aguleri Akwukwo na Ato in extension to ndi Omabala region.
Speaking on the significance of the event tagged the “last Outing of Onowu Ivite”, Ndigwe said the celebration is in accordance with the culture of the Omabala people.
He added that it is also to commemorate the “quintessential” impact of the late traditional prime minister which brought development to the community.
“The last Outing is organised in honour of Onowu, M.E.I Anosike, our quintessential traditional prime minister and former Chairman of Rulling Council whose impact for years brought fame, dignity and development to Ivite Aguleri community and glamour to the entire Aguleri community,” he said.
“It is an occasion and period when the late Onowu would be accorded befitting honour and celebrated for his exceptional services to the community.
“It is a chronicle of assessment of progress made in his life time, his impact during the reign of Late Igwe Ochendo where he served as his traditional prime minister from coronation to the end of his reign.
“He will be celebrated for community development, philanthropy, educational empowerment, business and entrepreneurship development and for his special love for Aguleri community.”
Late Onowu Ivite was born on 15th November 1948 to the
Popular family of Anosike in Ivite Aguleri, Anambra East local government Area in Anambra State.
He was the 5th of six children.
His late Parents ; Ifeanacho and Okuanata Ochie were farmers.
Late Onowu attended Central School Ivite Aguleri before joining politics and became a Councilor in 1991 where he served unopposed for two tenures with then Chairman, Late Emmanuel Iwoba Nnacho ( ochilima ga achi ozo) and late Hon Minister Obeche a popular musician in Omabala region.
Onowu Marcel Anosike served as the first General Distributor of golden guinee PLC in the entire Omabala region competing with the likes of Ogbatuluenyi and Winter win in the business of liquor distribution in Omabala region where he happened to be given the name (ochie Caton ) being the first individual to donate Catons of beer to his age grade and friends.
He brought a lot of national political heavyweights to Aguleri, the likes of: Ukpabi Asika, C. C ONOH , ALEX EKWUEME ,Bashir Tofa, Adumu Ciroma, IBB. where he also served as NPP and NRC chairman at the local government at different times.
The life, times and achievements of Onowu Ivite, otherwise regarded as the strong man of Aguleri politics will soon be published as a biography by OMT.
Adieu Onowu Ivite Aguleri, OKWESILIMGBA ORA.