Eze Iwuchukwu Laid to rest amid tributes from family members, others … His life was exemplary, says brother

The body of the late Traditional Ruler of Ikembara Autonomous Community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, HRH, Eze (Dr.) Emmanuel Iwuchukwu (Mbara Ama Ikembara) was on Friday, 24th May, 2024, laid to rest in his palace at 77 years.

This was as tributes trailed his departure from his loved ones, including Chief Raphael Iwuchukwu, community members as well as other sympathizers at the event which recorded large attendance.

The late traditional ruler’s internment began with the Funeral Mass presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Rt. Rev Dr. Moses Chikwe, who admonished Christians to always be conscious of the transiency of life so as to strive to live worthily in accordance with the principles that God laid down for mankind.

He extolled the Late Eze Iwuchukwu for being an upright man who conducted his affairs and those of his community with fairness, justice and compassion, and urged those who mourn him to sustain his legacies.

Meanwhile, commendations have continued to trail the late king from different quarters for the positive impacts he made on lives of his subjects and others while alive.

Leading other speakers, Chief Raphael Iwuchukwu, the younger brother to the late traditional ruler while speaking to Ikemuefuna Jewish Blog, disclosed that his late brother lived a fulfilled life.

According to him, the late Eze Iwuchukwu was a mentor to all the family members, and a responsible father and husband.

He added that their father died early only for the late traditional ruler to assume responsibility over the entire at a young age, and sacrificed greatly towards the survival of their family.

Furthermore, Chief Iwuchukwu, said that he learnt a lot from late traditional ruler who sustained the legacies left by their father, as he promised to ensure that the values that Eze Iwuchukwu stood for were maintained in their family and community.

He used the opportunity and admonished the youths of the area to shun negative behaviours, but to acquire skills that would make them useful for themselves, their families and the society at large, as he appreciated all who came to mourn with them.

In his tribute, the first son of the diseased, Prince Ikenna Iwuchukwu, stated: “As we gather here, I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers, calls and kind words. My father’s life was a testament to the boundless blessings and mercies of the Almighty. Despite grappling with multitude of adversities, he defiled every prognosis set forth by the finest physicians.

“A man of indomitable spirit, my father triumphed over challenges that would have subdued the faint-hearted. From surviving the ravages of war to navigating countless perilous encounters in his professional journey, he epitomized resilience in the face of adversity. Though the mantle of adulthood may seem daunting, we pledge to honour his legacy and strive to fill the void he leaves behind. We will celebrate the life of Mbara Ama Ikembara with joyous reminiscences and cherished memories,” he concluded.

In the same vein, the Ikeduru Traditional Institution and Community Policing, in a condolence message signed by Eze Dr. Peter Njoku, emphasized the vacuum created by the demise of Eze Iwuchukwu, adding: “Indeed, Ndi-Eze Ikeduru are grateful to God for blessing them with such a man of peace who left indelible footprints in the sands of time. His life was a great inspiration to many who came in contact with him.

Meanwhile, during the outing service on Sunday, 26th May, the family members of the late Eze Iwuchukwu, pledged to sustain the legacies of the late king, and promised to install solar energy to generate steady light at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Ikembara in addition to providing Adoration Monstrance and St Michael’s Statue.