Skip to main content

OBI AJUFO, THE FIRST OBI IN IBUSA TO EMBRACE CHRISTIANITY

OBI AJUFO, THE FIRST OBI IN IBUSA TO EMBRACE CHRISTIANITY
In that particular year, Obi Ajufo became the most discussed or talked about personality in Ibusa, his popularity had soared through to the villages of the settlement though unknown to him he had made history.
By 1888, the British Missionaries had established a Catholic in nearby Asaba hoping too, to repeat the feat in neighbouring Ibusa. However, all efforts aimed at actualizing it were prevented by the Ibusa people who rejected the new faith. Then there was the Ekumeku Movement, the resistance of European imperialism which involved the entire towns and communities of Anioma. The first phase of the movement started with the Anglo-Ibusa War in 1898 with casualties on both sides and eventual defeat of Ibusa after the British that ordered reinforcement from Lokoja gained upper hand in the battle thereby defeating Ibusa. The defeat of Ibusa was a big relief to the British, which also afforded them the opportunity to establish their dream of the Catholic Church in the town which Rev Carlos Zappa established in that same year (1898) and named St Augustine's Catholic Church. Still the Ibusa people refused to embrace the new faith. Many Ibusa chiefs had been killed in that war, so the chiefs of the town worked secretly hard to ensure that it was rejected at all cost.
In 1901, Obi Ajufo embraced the new religion as well as the Catholic Church thereby becoming the first Obi in Ibusa (Eze) ever, to be converted to Catholicism in the settlement. His conversion was resisted by both the chiefs of the town and his family but he was bent on it. As his family protested, he ignored them. Petitions were put up against his personal decision on the ground of his title but the Obi was adamant. His children announced that they would no longer assist in cultivating his farms but he ignored them; his eldest son threatened him with an axe but he was not shaken. His 12 wives openly threatened him, vowing that they would sleep with other men in public, still he was unshaken. Ibusa chiefs excluded him from the Council of Chiefs because according to them, his mouth could no longer speak the language of their forefathers but Obi Ajufo remained cool in the Catholic fold and in Christianity till his death. And when he died, he was buried in St Augustine's Catholic Church cemetery in Umuafene, Isieke.
Written by: Historian Emeka Esogbue

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DIAMOND JUBILEE AGE: 20 THINGS THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT FRED AJUDUA

DIAMOND JUBILEE AGE: 20 THINGS THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT FRED AJUDUA On January 21 2020, Pen Master paid Chief Fred Ajudua a scheduled visit at his Lagos-VGC Marble Dome Home, a large and imposing house sitting on a hill from where it vigorously engages public views and attention. On entering the house, Pen Master freely walked in and around, in the spirit of the love that always binds the people of Igbuzo. The man, Chief Fred Ajudua often described as the “Architect of Modern Ibusa” is unarguably one of the biggest fish in history to have come out of Ibusa even as it is said that nearly every Ibusa family has benefited from him one way or the other. Beyond what you know about him, there seems many sides you do not know. As the Igbuzo Chief celebrates his 60 th Year birthday, your Pen Master brings you the things you do not know about the highly influential Igbuzo Chief. Pen Master also dug into the Ajudua family photo depository all for your knowledge. Happy reading! ...
2 comments
Read more

A SHORT HISTORY OF OBOLLO CLAN IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

A SHORT HISTORY OF OBOLLO CLAN IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA By Emeka Esogbue Introduction Not many historical literatures on the Obollo people exist for the usual reasons associated with our people who prefer to write the history of mighty and populous peoples already enriched with volumes of historical accounts and records. Thus while there are historical documents on other peoples of Igbo, for Obollo, it is the story of dearth of documents. However, it is within my historical concern that the rich history of this part of Igboland be adequately researched into, documented and preserved for the future generation. I do not hail from this part of Igboland but my historical background, interest and curiosity propelled me towards the acquisition of both oral and written information to put this material together. Geography The various Obollo communities comprising of Obollo Afor, Obollo Etiti, Obollo Eke, Obollo Orie and Obollo Nkwo are strategically situated at the regional bou...
11 comments
Read more

SEE HOW ANIOMA PEOPLE DRESS ON THEIR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE THE ERA OF USING OUR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE TO PROMOTE ATTIRES OF OTHER GROUPS IN NIGERIA IS GONE

SEE HOW ANIOMA PEOPLE DRESS ON THEIR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE THE ERA OF USING OUR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE TO PROMOTE ATTIRES OF OTHER GROUPS IN NIGERIA IS GONE Today is Saturday, conventionally set aside for marriage ceremonies. Awareness on how our Anioma brides and grooms attire themselves during their traditional marriage has fast spread and entrenched. We no longer promote other group's cultural attires because we want them to promote our own instead. I say many thanks to our Anioma cultural advocates on this day because our labours to preserve as well as promote the good cultures of our Anioma society have never been in vain. Noticeable now is that in   time of our traditional marriages, we costume ourselves in Akwa-Ocha which brings out our god-given beauty. A few moments after her traditional marriage in Umuodafe, Ibusa on December 28, inside the Agokei palatial home, I visited former Miss Amaka Thelma Agokei, the bride. I was rather late; but I met this beautiful bride t...
3 comments
Read more