Mayor Agaba Ojobo: An iroko has fallen
I will be dedicating this week’s column to my uncle, Chief James Agaba Ojobo, Mayor of Udaburu community in Owukpa. The late hero was an unrepentant activist who fought against nepotism corruption in the land. Untiol his demise, he was also a strong member of the Peoples Democratic Party since 1999.

Oh! Udaburu Ogo Ukpoji
I see tears trickling down your cheeks
Like Jeremiah of old
I can see your face swollen
Like a pampered raven
I see the murky cloud of pain and anger
Hovering over your world like idinkichi
Needed not to be told

An iroko has been looped
Yes, it is no longer news
Oyi Onyokwu is dead

It hacks like hacksaw
The sting of death
Sad, hard, bad
Great Adikwu Ojoji
Behold your son,
Fathered by Ojobo olonya gweje
Here he comes
With his staff
Ojotuyela!
That sobriquet
That reminds me of Mama Ukwo
The fearless one,
Is the journey not too sudden?
Not too long,
Comfort took French leave
Now you too?
Another rheum in eyes
The enemies will now laugh at us
The infants will pull down our beards
They will poke tongue at us
The father of the house is more
Now, the rafia fence shall surely fall
Sad to see your fertile mind
Interred in this barren soil of odokro
Tell it to Aneh Adikwu
That Omanyangra (Jerome) is no more
Remind Onyegiri and Ugwu Oriko
That Emema left us too
Whisper it to Ogbeikwu Adikwu
That James Ameh is no longer part of us
Tell it Attah Emure Offio
That Onyikpechi has crumbled
The Triplochiton scleroxylon tree
Has been cut asunder
By followers of the white man religion
If you see Ameh Ogwuba,
Ogira Ochayi
Tell them;
Tears is now our daily meal
We now mourn in sackcloth on quotidian
Tell it to our great fathers,
Omonu Odo and Ahmedu Urah
Our arms have broken
No one to straighten it again
Tell those who have gone before us,
The clipped wings of mother hen
Have exposed her chicks
To the hungry kites.
Adieu the great one
The centre cannot hold.
Treasure Orokpo

A multi-talented individual with a passion for diverse fields, Treasure Orokpo is a trained journalist, skilled cook, and AI enthusiast. When she's not uncovering the latest stories, you can find her whipping up culinary creations in the kitchen and entertainment.

Share
Published by
Treasure Orokpo
9 years ago

Recent Posts

Soaring rice prices threaten Christmas celebrations for Nigerian families

Rice, a staple for Christmas celebrations in Nigeria, has become a luxury this year. Soaring…

1 day ago

Panic as Stage collapses during Odumodublvck’s performance at Lagos concert

Panic erupted on Saturday at a concert in Lagos when the stage collapsed during Odumodublvck’s…

1 day ago

2025 Budget: FG allocates ₦6.36bn for renovation of Tinubu, Shettima’s official quarters

The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated ₦6,364,181,224 billion for the refurbishment and rehabilitation of…

1 day ago

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 22nd December 2024

The black market dollar to naira exchange rate for today, 22nd December 2024, can be…

1 day ago

NNPC debunks shutdown rumors, confirms fuel loading at Port Harcourt Refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has refuted claims that the 60,000 barrels per…

1 day ago

‘We have to find a way’ – Guardiola laments after defeat to Aston Villa

Manchester City finds itself in unprecedented turmoil, with relegation-level form showing little sign of improvement.…

1 day ago