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By Prof. ABI UDEDIBIE
(Owelle Ivite Aguleri)
Ivite Aguleri Ruling Council (IARC) was formed in 1986 to save the Community from total collapse. It was a body made up of two age grades, Ochunagali Ekwolo and Mmeghe age grades. The key players in the Council were Mr. Michael Obukezie (Chairman), Dr. A.B.I. Udedibie (Myself) (Secretary), Mr. Marcel Iveachor later changed to M.E.I. Anosike (PRO), Mr. Nwawuo Igweze, Mr. Charles Ebogha (our elder statesman) and a few others.
Whatever I went through in the struggle to bring Ivite Aguleri and Aguleri in general to their current socio-political development, I went with Chief Hon. M.E.I. Anosike. He was a very reliable friend and colleague. We were able to restore sanity and happiness in crisis-ridden Aguleri. We moved on to Aguleri in 1989 and formed Aguleri Representative Congress (ARC) as part of implementation of Government white Paper on the be-deviled age-long crisis in Aguleri. We completed and commissioned Aguleri Post Office in 1990. We also completed and commissioned Aguleri Healthcare Centre in 1990 and organized first ever and still the only Aguleri Mass Return in 1991.
On May 31, 1998, a day after my mother’s burial, I made a prophetic declaration at Obu-Gad before a multitude of Aguleri people. I told the people that it was divinely revealed to me where Aguleri was deeply buried in a grave and on top of the grave was placed a very big and heavy stone on top of which was written Otu-Ocha. In other words, there was a serious effort by some people, including some Aguleri people, to do away with the name, Aguleri, and replace it with Otu-Ocha. With “alor” in my hand, I told Aguleri people that I, with support of my followers, would remove that stone and get Aguleri exhumed. Aguleri would be exhumed and bathed in golden water. The project was going to be tortuous and risky but I made the declaration with a confidence boosted by a few but very formidable “Army Generals” behind me. One of those “Generals” was Chief Hon. M.E.I. Anosike. I told the people that it might take 10 years or even 20 but it must be accomplished.
Today, I can look anyone in the face and say “we did it”. Aguleri is back once again great and shining the way God designed her to be ab initio. Aguleri now has five Government-recognized Traditional Rulers and more are coming. We succeeded in chasing the man-made spirit of bitterness and hatred out of Aguleri. Thanks to Onowu and the rest of us.
On behalf of my family, I pray that almighty God will grant you eternal peace and your family, the fortitude to bear your painful demise. Our people cannot forget you in a hurry. Adieu! Ochie Carton. Adieu! Okwesili Mgbaora, Adieu! Onowu Ivite Aguleri.