APGA trustee, Ogirishi Igbo marks 70th birthday in grand style with daughter
By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
It was celebration galore both at the house of Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, (Ogirishi Igbo), the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, trustee, in Oba, Idemili South Local Government area, and at Atlanta, US, where he is currently staying as he marks 70th birthday.
Chief Rommy who through zooming interacted with his family, relations, people of Oba, friends and well wishers as they also celebrated him, thanked God for keeping him up to this day to attain the three scores and ten, (70 years).
He assured that he will soon be around to join his people who he left for US for about four years now admitting that he has missed most of them in his bid to renew/rectify some necessary documents.
Speaking, the Onowu of Oba, Chief Sir B.M. Onyeka, recalled that the celebrant and himself were both conferred with chieftaincy titles in 1988 by Igwe Peter Ezenwa (Ezeokpoko 11 of Oba).
He prayed God to protect and guide Chief Rommy and prolong his years adding that, "At 70 years one has accomplished his stay on earth and any additional years is "Jara" (extra)".
"If one wants to have longevity you have to live a truthful life style, show love, and have faith in God, be your brother's keeper and avoid acts capable of dragging you to the mud," he disclosed.
Expressing satisfaction, the chairman of Ogirishi Igbo Foundation, Dr. Uche Linus, revealed that, "Ogirishi Igbo has been a bossom friend of many years standing. He is not here physically with us but spiritually he is with us as we celebrate him
"He called us from Diaspora that he is celebrating his 70th birthday and we are here to celebrate in his absence and it is a happy day for us. Once you clock 70 years any other year is Jara, (extra).
"Since he is three scores and ten, he said we should celebrate him at home and that is what we are doing. It shows you the kind of person he is, He will not like to be 140 years because at 140 one behaves like animals in the bush," he stated.
In his own contribution, the former President General, PG, of Oba, Chief Hon. Ben Chibueze, (Ochudo), thanked God for the celebrant to have attained such a prolong life adding that he achieved greatness through hard-work.
"My prayer is that God will give him more years to enable him accomplish what God sent him to do on earth. He is loved by all, a philanthropist to the core and selfless,," he maintained.
Chief Dozie Nweke, former PG, Aboji Akanano Union, Oba, revealed that," God gives Ogirishi Igbo 70 years today and after today it is extra, Jara years because at 70 years you are no longer a child.
"Though at 70 years life begins, it is also time of oath taking between you and God. Longevity is from God, it is not attained by what you eat, do.or gene. I am optimistic that the next celebration by Ogirishi Igbo will be here in Oba whether birthday or any other celebration, we miss him," he assured.
"Left for me he will attain 170 years so that he stays with us for we so much love his companionship. Longevity is a gift from God," he reiterated.
Wife to Ogirishi Igbo, Lolo Amaka Ezeonwuka, disclosed that he wanted his friends to join him in his celebration of 70th birthday and that was the jubilation galore going on in his house in Oba.
"I am happy with the celebration but if he is physically present I would have been happier, it is not easy to miss a loved one for about four years. I pray God to continue to give me the heart with which to bear it until he comes back. I want him back so that we stay as we used to stay," she stated.
The daughter
Also, second daughter to Ogirishi Igbo, Chineze Onwuka, who also celebrated her birthday with that of her father, explained that it was coincident as both were born same day.
"I am celebrating my birthday with my dad, I wish him long life, prosperity and God's guidance as he adds one year to clock 70 years on earth. It is also happy birthday to me for adding another age to my age, God is great," she stated.
A chieftain in the community, Chief Godwin Ezepue, (Ezeudo Oba), had in his speech, disclosed that he is so close to the celebrant, Rommy, and prayed God to prolong his life more.
"He sent me something for my birthday, where he has his ranent industry at Oba, we gave him the land. After the civil war he came to Oba and made his wealth and born his children. As he is celebrating the wife gave us all we are drinking and eating as part of the celebration," he further disclosed.
Anthony Chukwuma Ogbu, a chieftain, described Ogirishi Igbo as an institution, peace maker, lover of people and philanthropist adding that the celebration called for sober reflection stating that the celebrant is a spirit in human skin.
Engineer Gerry Obinwa, head of technical department at Rojenny village/stadium, Oba, revealed that at 70 years one is close to God and attributed endurance to reason for longevity.
He prayed God to keep his boss, give him more years and prosperity to the one he had given him to enable him share as usual and described him as philanthropist to the core.
Onyeoma Adogu, a Community leader, disclosed that God has resolved we live up to 70 years and after that any other years is Jara, extra, assuring that the celebrant will spend more years on earth.
Ako Onugha, a member of the Foundation, said, "It is good for three scores and ten and assured Ogirishi will soon be back to Oba to join his people.
