By Theo Rays
The recently concluded Christmas and New Year holiday offered the good people of Umuopu community in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State opportunity to celebrate their illustrious son Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Oglala (rtd), the immediate past Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Federal Repubic of Nigeria as they rolled out the drums to welcome him back in a reception organized in his honor at the Central School field Umuopu.
The people led by their traditional ruler, HRM Igwe Cyril Ayogu (Okpoko) trooped out in their numbers to celebrate the great exploit of their son who according to them rendered hardline military service to the fatherland at the national level as Nigeria’s Naval Chief without blemish. Virtually all the eminent personalities in Umuopu were in attendance. Among them where the current Chairman of Igboeze North Local Government Area, Hon Michael Uchenna Ogalla who is the younger brother to the Ex CNS and the President General Umuopu town union, Comrade Fidelis Obunwa Mama
Others were former member of the Federal House Chief Fidel Ayogu (Onwa), former Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters in Enugu State, Hon Pastor Emeka Abugu, Federal Government Auctioneer Chief Kelvin Ayogu, the CEO of OEO Foundation Owelle Ejikeme Odumegwu, President of Umu Enugu Ezike Oba in Diaspora Chief Ronald Ayogu, Members of Umuopu Country Club of Nigeria led by their National President Engr Dr Adonu Jonah, Members of Umuopu United Forum led by Comrade Romanus Tochi Onuh, and Members of Umuopu in Diaspora led by Prius Ayogu among others.
In their eulogies, speakers after speaker hailed the former Naval Chief describing him as a hero of the time who did not just elevated Umuopu and made Umuopu proud with national accomplishment but also set a model of hardworking, discipline and think home philosophy for others to follow. The chairman of the reception steering committee Chief Emeka Aba who opened the floodgate of euologies noted that the Ex CNS within in a short period of time attracted tangible development to Umuopu such as a modern Navy Secondary School which is the best of its kind noting that the school has created access to quality education and new opportunities for the children.
Chief Aba also stated that the former Naval boss also attracted the construction of a Jetty at Ogurugu in Uzouwani Local Government Area which has boosted transportation, commerce and regional connectivity to the Southeast geopolitical zone among other things including providing employment opportunities for people noting that the life and service of the man being honored by his people is worth it because he has written the name of Umuopu in bold letters on the national map of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The traditional ruler of Umuopu Igwe Ayogu who is also the Chairman of Igboeze North Council of Traditional rulers described the Ex Naval Chief as one who shattered a glass ceiling that many thought was impenetrable adding “to the nation you were a commander, to us you are our ambassador and while many return home with stories you have returned home with bricks and mortar. The Navy school you attracted in Umuopu, first of its kind citadel stands out as a physical manifestation of your love for your root”
Igwe Ayogu however, reminded the Ex Naval Chief that retirement is not an end rather it is a glorious transition to another theatre of leadership telling him that “You are moving from the bridge of a warship to the heart of your community where your immense wisdom would serve as our compass and your experience our chart. You have returned to walk among us, to lead us in new ways and to see that the seed you planted grows. You left us to serve the nation and you have returned to be cherished and consulted by our people as a model to follow”
Also speaking the Chairman of Igboeze North Hon Ogalla started by thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding the son of Umuopu, son of Igboeze North in Enugu State
of the Southeast geopolitical zone in midst of many others to man such a highly exalted position in Nigeria adding that the people of Umuopu and Igboeze North will be ever grateful to President Tinubu. The chairman also commended the governor of Enugu State Dr Peter Mba and other Southeast leaders and stakeholders for standing behind the former Naval Chief all through the time he was in charge of Nigeria Navy.
The Chairman noted that the reception in honor of the Ex CNS with virtually everybody in the community in attendance goes a long way to show that the people of Umuopu are happy with achievements of their son both at the national level and also at home. He said “with what is happening here today, I am not just impressed but also quite sure that our people are happy with the achievements of their son. I want to appreciate all you and also to assure you that the Local Government will play its role in ensuring that the good people of Igboeze North under my watch will derive maximum benefit from what the former CNS has brought us”
Major highlights of the reception was a match past and recitation in honor of the Ex CNS by students of the Naval Secondary School Umuopu and endorsement of Governor Peter Mba for second term by the entire people of Umuopu community as declared by the Local Government Chairman Hon Ogalla saying that the people are behind the second term of Governor Mba.
