Few days ago,the demise of our Royal father HIS ROYAL MAJESTY Obi Christopher Akazue Gbemudu was made public,the ogbeleani of Illah kingdom,oshimili north Delta state.At the ripe age of 93 years,the news of His death was still a rude shock,tears in our eyes never cease to fall,though we need never be ashamed of our tears for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth,overlying our hard hearts.
His Royal Majesty ( HRM) Obi Christopher Akazue Gbemudu II was born on 27th September 1926 in Ossisa, Ndokwa-East L.G.A of Delta State, into the family of Ogbuenyi Akazue Gbemudu and Ogbuenyi (Mrs) Mgbafor AkazueGbemudu (Nee Onyemah) both of Illah in Oshimili-North L.G.A of Delta State. He was the last child and favorite of his mother’s 4 children. That was why his mother gave him the name Obi after her father Obi Onyemah of Ogbe-Uziza quarters, Umutei village, Illah. HRM father was a reputable District Court clerk who served in different parts of the old Midwestern Region (Delta and Edo States) including Ossisa Town. HRM grandfather Obi Gbemudu was the 21st Ogbeleani of Illah and ruled for 14 years 1902 – 1916 as Obi Gbemudu l. Thus the origin of the title Obi Christopher Akazue Gbemudu II.
He started his professional carrier in Kaduna with Nigeria Government Electricity Undertaking in 1949. He left the company in 1958 and joined MessrsDumez Nig. Ltd from 1958 -1963 in Agwu, Enugu State after which he worked as a sales representative with Star Motors Ltd in Onitsha, Anambra State. After leaving Star Motors Ltd in 1968 he returned to his home town Illah during the Civil War. Shortly after the Nigeria civil war 1970, he proceeded to Lagos where he took up a job first with J Allen and later with CFAO Structure where he retired in 1981. On retirement he returned to Illah and started his own small scale business which he sustained until 1998. He had a working experience spanning over 45 years during which he worked with several public and private establishments before retiring to Illah, which gave him ample opportunity to serve the Illah community.
Obi Gbemudu as the ogbeleani Illah build a prosperous and united Illah despite the challenges.He upheld the tenets of our great and noble culture and traditions.which would be sincerely applied for political and socio_economic development of Illah. Illah witnessed tremendous growth in His reign.He always preached unity of Nigeria and freedom of worship for all in Illah.I indeed lack words to describe His personality.I saw in him a king of peace,great humility,loving,caring,easy going,very accommodating,good counsellor and above all religious minded.
The entire Illah community,oshimili north and Delta sate have lost a great man with a heart of gold..
Rest in the bossom of Almighty God..
Obi nwelani kachifo.
JOSEPH ADIMABUA
(Ogbe_uziza quarter umutei Illah.)