The people of Obollo Orie Community, in Udenu Local Government Area is poised for a historic gathering as the community, the Royal Family, and the Enugu State traditional institution prepare to bid a final farewell to an icon of leadership, His Royal Highness, Igwe Remigius Okechukwu Nwodo, Eze Udo I of Obollo Orie.
The “Last Ofala” festival, scheduled for December 28th and 29th, 2025, marks the conclusion of a life defined by nearly a century of service to Nigeria and the international community. Igwe Nwodo, who passed at the age of 90, was not merely a traditional ruler but a veteran of the Nigerian Police Force, a UN Peacekeeper, and a pioneer of Local Government administration in the old Anambra State.
Born in 1935, Igwe Nwodo’s journey began far from the throne. He distinguished himself early as a disciplined officer in the Nigeria Police Force. His career was marked by high-stakes intelligence work, including service during the first African Heads of State Conference in 1961, where he earned a commendation from the late Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
In 1964, he took his expertise to the global stage, serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the Republic of Congo. His return to Nigeria saw him navigate the complexities of the Civil War and later transit into a pivotal role as a civilian leader.
Known as the “Chief Farmer” and a visionary administrator, Igwe Nwodo’s tenure as the first Chairman of the Isi-Uzo Local Government Council is often described as a “Golden Era.” His administration is credited with:
— The construction of over 230 kilometers of roads and major bridges.
— The establishment and expansion of the Orie-Orba Market and the Obollo-Afor Motor Park.
— Education: The creation of 18 secondary schools and the renovation of post-war facilities.
“He was a man who believed that the best investment was one made in people,” a family spokesperson stated. “His transition from a security expert to an agricultural revolutionary and then a monarch shows the breadth of his commitment to his people.”
The Final Journey and Funeral Arrangements:
The Royal Family, led by Prince Emmanuel Nwodo, has released the formal itinerary for the transition ceremonies, ensuring that the monarch is laid to rest with the full honors befitting his status as Okpara Eze I of Udunedem.
The Schedule of Events:
Dec 28, by 3:00 pm Wake/Valedictory Session at his Palace, Umuosigide.
Dec 29 by 7:00 am, his remains depart the Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Mortuary Nsukka for Udenu and Isi Uzo Local Government Council Secretariat Obollo Afor for a brief stopover, respectively.
10:00 am: Lying in State at his Palace, Obollo Orie,
11:00 am: Funeral Service Vocational College, Obollo Orie
12:30 pm: Interment at his Palace
1:00 pm: Grand Reception at Vocational College Grounds
Igwe Nwodo’s reign as the Eze Udo I was characterized by justice and the preservation of cultural heritage. He leaves behind a legacy of integrity that spanned the colonial era, the first republic, and the modern democratic dispensation. He is revered as the “Architect of modern Isi-Uzo.”
As Obollo Orie prepares to host dignitaries from across the country, the mood is one of celebration for a “fight well fought.” The Last Ofala will not only be a period of mourning but a showcase of the rich Igbo tradition that the Igwe spent his later years protecting.
“He came, he saw, and he truly conquered,” the community leadership noted in a joint statement. “His life was a lamp that illuminated many paths.”
©The Concourse Media Team.
