Heavy tears and crowd greet Onye Ego’s burial.
3 min read
The Obinwanne royal father, HRM Eze Justin Ezeala knew what could have happened on the burial date of Onye Ego, considering the manner of his killing by the state security service agents; he placed restrictions on the activities of the youths by ordering that there would be no funfair such as motorcycling and car racing during the journey from the mortuary to the family house. Umuaka Times gathered that the youths of Obinwanne adhered strictly to the order from their monarch and behaved in orderly manner during the procession between the mortuary and Obinwanne community.
Around 9 am, the procession from the mortuary had reached Afor Umuaka where about 3,000 youths had gathered to catch the glimpse of the man who was cut down at the prime of his life by trigger-happy security agents. The crowd was so much that it was impossible for vehicles to pass from both sides of Orlu Owerri Road when the procession reached at Orlu Owerri Road.
Then trouble began! Onye Ego was a member of Success Age Grade, a resident of California Street and a member of Nwannegadi Social Club. At the Amiyi Road junction, each of the groups that Onye Ego belonged to demanded to carry the casket. None of the groups gave the other an opportunity to carry the casket. This led to a serious controversy among the youths, security personnel and the ambulance driver. After a heated argument which almost led to violence, it was decided through the intervention of Chief Omeudo, the Chief Security Officer of Obinwanne community and his security team that the residence of the late Onye Ego was still very far from the junction and they would not allow his casket to be carried by the youths from the junction. This intervention or explanation was accepted by the youths and the various groups and the journey began again.
At the Afor Umuaka suya spot, exactly at the junction between Umuezeala and Obinwanne roads, the youths staged another argument and each of the groups once again presented itself as the rightful group to carry the casket. After another round of arguments, it was decided that the Success Age Grade would be the first to carry the casket before other groups would follow. Before the procession could reach to the Okebaram residence, the three groups Onye Ego belonged to had taken part in carrying the casket.
When the crowd arrived at the family compound, hell was let loose! Women, children and men, all burst into deep wailings and crying. Nobody was controlling anybody and the Umuaka Times reporter who was covering the event counted about 4 women who had fainted. After a long time, the MC who was anchoring the burial ceremony was able to bring the mourners to order and informed them that Onye Ego was now lying in state and his family members etc should go and see his corpse for the last time.
It was this arrangement that all the persons who wanted to pay their last respect to Onye Ego followed. Then entered the preacher, a 33 year old pastor whose message held everyone spellbound.
When the pastor was through with his message, time for the final journey began and Onye Ego was taken to his final abode where he was interred for eternity.
What a shot end of an era.
