By Njoku Macdonald Obinna
It was Albert Pike, an American author, poet, orator, editor, and lawyer, who once posited that: “ What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. “
The above quote, is a living testament to the life of selfless community service and charity practically demonstrated by the late High Chief Christopher Chukwuemeka Ohuruzo (Ishimmiri Njaba); an iconoclastic leader; a successful industrialist, a serial entrepreneur, a boardroom master strategist, a political enigma, a bridge builder, a lover of God, a jolly good fellow, a loving husband and caring father, as the entire Imo State and Nigerians from all walks of life converged in his Duruobiaku village, Amucha community, Njaba LGA, to pay their last respect to a man whose life was a tapestry of extraordinary achievements, unwavering intergrity and profound service to God and humanity.
The high burial mass at St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish, Amucha, Njaba, presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Tochukwu Ukwuoma alongside other clergymen , was attended by the paraphernalia of the Imo State government led by His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, CON, family members, friends, business associates, political allies, traditional rulers, community leaders, opinion moulders, different socio-cultural groups, and thousands of well wishers as they converged to celebrate the life and times of Ishimmiri Njaba; a rare gem, a precious gift to humanity and a man who had touched many lives very positively in no small ways, while bidding him a farewell to eternity.
During his homily, Bishop A. T. Ukwuoma reminded the faithful of the inevitability of death, thus, the need to live an exemplary life of selfless community service as shown by the late High Chief Christopher Chukwuemeka Ohuruzo, eulogizing the deceased for single-handedly building a befitting place of worship for God, the St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish , Amucha, Njaba, wherein he was received for the burial mass.
Recounting the numerous people- oriented projected executed by the late High Chief Christopher Chukwuemeka Ohuruzo which included a church, community town hall, microfinance bank, facilitated the road construction of Amucha community, awarded educational scholarships to many indigent but intelligent students, human capacity development and peace-building.
The Catholic cleric, Bishop Ukwuoma, however, thanked the deceased for the many roles he played in supporting the church, and also in supporting him when he needed his assistance for a church project, praying God to console the family as he had run his race and kept the faith.
The Imo State governor, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, CON, who attended both the service of songs in Owerri on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, and the Christian wake-keep in Amucha -Njaba, on Thursday, April 11, 2024, was unavoidably absent on Friday for the burial ceremony as he was ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, accompanied by her husband, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN.
In a heartwarming tribute to the Ohuruzo family delivered by the Imo State governor , Sen. Hope Uzodimma, CON, through his Deputy; the governor described his friendship with the late Chief Christopher Chukwuemeka Ohuruzo (Ishimmiri Njaba) as the bond between David and his good friend, Jonathan. He maintained that; “ the late Chief Christopher Chukwuemeka Ohuruzo was a dependable friend indeed, and his death was so devastating to him. “
In his own words, the governor posited inter alia:
“ As a Governor, I know those who are friends of the office. I also know those who are friends of Hope Uzodimma. Ohuruzo belonged to the latter, and there was no guile about him. Even when we did not envisage that God would lift me this high, Ishimmiri loved me. And that is why I mourn him today. “
“ I don’t mourn him because I expected God to keep him forever. I mourn because our plan for each other has been cut short abruptly. For a man who loved life and lived it, it is a cruel twist of fate that he had to depart unceremoniously. “
“ To the wife and children, I will never abandon you. You can only feel the pain of physical separation from your loving husband and caring father, but God will never allow you to suffer as long as I am alive. “
Mourning the late sage, business mogul, community leader and philantropist, Sen. Osita Izunaso representing Imo West Senatorial District (Orlu zone), described Ishimmiri Njaba as an industrialist of repute, whose business empire span the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond. He was a committed leader by every standard, and distinquished himself in several areas of life, regretting that his death has created a huge vacuum not only in Imo State but among his friends and associates all over the world.
Reacting to the demise of late Chief Christopher Ohuruzo (Ishimmiri Njaba), Hon. Barr. Harrison Nwadike, representing Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal Constituency who addressed the deceased as ` Apex leader` stated that he is still in devastating shock over the news of his sudden death on Thursday, January 25, 2024, describing him as a great man who led from the front because of what he stood for while on earth and shined with the big ideas.
Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, who led the leadership of Nwangele APC and mass of the members of his Constituency to pay their last homage to the late High Chief Christopher Chukwuemeka Ohuruzo (Ishimmiri Njaba), saluted his bouyant heart for charity, selfless community service and love for humanity. He stated that the deceased was such a charismatic leader whose inputs, ideas and contributions towards socio-economic and political leadership development of the NINN Federal Constituency and Imo State are still much needed. He regretted that his demise was such a huge loss.
Ikenna Power Okoro, Chairman of Power Consortium Group, a critical stakeholder in the political leadership of NINN Federal Constituency, while eulogizing the late Chief Christopher Ohuruzo for his selfless community service and tenacity for bridge building, regretted that his death was a colossal loss to the Amucha, Njaba community, in particular, and Imo State in general.
In his tribute, Hon. Kingsley Echendu, a former candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the coveted seat of Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal Constituency, onbehalf of his ‘ Together We Can Political Family ‘ expressed deep sense of loss over the death of Ishimmiri Njaba whom he said was more than a political leader to the Isu clan but also a proud illustrious son in whom all are well pleased, asking God to grant him eternal rest.
An Imo leading woman entrepreneur of note and Amazon, Chief Executive Officer, Shirley Supremo Finishings Ltd, Ugoeze Dr. Shirley Okwudimma, poured a glowing tribute on the late High Chief Christopher Chukwuemeka Ohuruzo (Ishimmiri Njaba), describing him as a kindhearted man, loving husband and caring father who dedicated a better part of his life in the service of God and humanity, praying God to grant his good soul eternal rest.
It was quite a poignant moment; one of sober reflections of reality of the inevitability of death, the vanity of life, the emptiness of boast, and the need to live for others through charity, as his Amucha community in Njaba, ndi Imo, and entire Nigeria gathered last Friday not just to bid a good man farewell but also to reflect on his remarkable journey, the profound impact he made on humanity and the indelible legacy he left behind.
The life of High Chief Christopher Chukwuemeka Ohuruzo (Ishimmiri Njaba), was not just a series of events but a crusade for excellence, for social justice and kindness. He was a man who pursued his dreams with relentless vigor, yet always with a deep sense of responsibility to his fellow man. Ishimmiri approached his business with a renewed energy, contemporary mindset, always looking beyond the horizon. His recorded achievements were not just for personal gains but were contributions that advanced the church and humanity. And despite his success, he remained humble, accessible and always ready to give a helping hand to a good cause. A man who loved his wife so dearly and his children very passionately.
He was a friend of both the rich and poor. A man of profound humanity. His sense of humor and zest for life were simply contagious. Ishimmiri Njaba had a unique way of finding joy in simple things, loved the gathering of his kinsmen, displayed his theatrical masquerade dancing skills at any social events, believed in the power of laughter, the importance of true friendship and the value of creating lasting memories.
The epoch-making state burial ceremony turned carnival attracted the high and might as the media lens of 4th Estate Reporters anchored by Njoku Macdonald Obinna captured A-list Imo State government functionaries, senators, federal lawmakers, State legislators, industrialists, which included but not limited to;
The Imo State governor, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, CON, Her Excellency, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, Imo Deputy governor, Chief Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government House, Owerri, Chief Cosmas Iwu, Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Sen. Osita Izunaso representing Imo West Senatorial District, Sen. Patrick Ndubueze representing Imo North Senatorial District, Hon. Barr. Harrison Nwadike representing NINN Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Deputy Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. Emmanuel Okeke High Chief Johnbosco Ozigbu, Ph.D (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga), Ikenna Power Okoro, Chairman of Power Consortium Group, Chief Cosmas Maduba (Odebube Ikenga Isu), The Chief Executive Officer, Chimons Gas Ltd, Engr. Chibuike Achigbu (Akasha Nwata N’ Nkwerre), High Chief Henry Okolie-Aboh, Anambra born Lagos based billionaire astute businessman and Chief Execuyive Officer, West Field Energy Limited, Chief Micheal Onuoha (Eririego of Igboland, Ide Nwangele), Hon. Onyemaechi Kanayo , Majority leader of the Imo State House of Assembly, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, a former Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government House, Nze Tex Ukonu (Nwaka- Ibeya Isu clan), Nze Chinasa Nwaneri (Akunwata N’ Nkwerre), Prof. U.U Chukwuemaeze, Vice- Chancellor, Imo State University, His Imperial Majesty, Eze Dr. T.A. Obiefule, MFR, Igwe of Umuna , HRM Eze Dr. Douglas Okwara (Okwarachukwu IV, Obi of Ebe-Asaa, Head of Isu Clan), Hon. Barr. Chisom Ted Ojukwu (Oyi of Nkwerre), member representing Nkwerre State Constituency, Hon. Dr. C. C. Osuala, Hon. Barr. Emenike Uzor, Legislative Aide to Hon. Barr. Harrison Nwadike, member representing NINN Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Mrs. Uju Onwudiwe (Igolo Njaba), Hon. Dr. Prince Henry Okafor, Nze Ojukwu Casmir (Akaraka Nkwerre), Chief Dr. Batos Nwadike (Oyi of Igboland) and his wife, Chief Chris Okewuluonu, a former Chief of Staff to the former governor of Imo State, H. E Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON, Hon. Dr. Barthlome Okorochukwu, Hon. Mackennedy Emeka, Chief Chris Akuzuruahu (Eze-Mmuo Njaba), Rt. Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Imo Commissioner for Works, Chief Vitalis Ugochukwu Obi (Etiokwu Njaba), Hon.Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu , Chief Political Adviser to the Imo State governor, Chief Barr. Rex Anunobi, among other galaxy of diginatries too numerous to contain in this list.
Born in 1963 to the family of the late Mr. Cornelius Mmezi Ohuruzo and Mrs. Juliana Nwaeruru Mmezi Ohuruzo, late Chief Christopher Chukwuemeka Ohuruzo (Ishimmiri Njaba) lived a short but fulfilled life and is survived by his lovely wife; Lolo Victoria Ohuruzo, eight children- Cynthia, Lilian, Ogechi, Chinonye, Chidimma, Chukwuebuka, Chukwuemeka and Ifeanyi, and three grand children.
Ishimmiri Amucha- Njaba ,
You came, you saw, and conquered!
You were so dearly loved and would be so greatly missed. Keep resting in the bosom of He who has called you to eternal rest.
xxx