Obosi, hometown of former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Emeka Anyaoku, came alive as the veteran diplomat, and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme led other dignitaries to honour former Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Marshal Osita Chidota’s grandmother, the late Madam Juliana Obumnwe Chidoka. NWANOSIKE ONU reports
The sheer number of dignitaries was enough statement: it was not just another day in Obosi, Anambra State. Former Vice President Alex Ekwueme was there, as was son of the soil, veteran diplomat and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Emeka Anyaoku. So also were Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, traditional rulers and priests.
They were in town to honour Madam Juliana Obumnwe Chidoka, grandmother of former Corps Marshal of the FRSC Mr. Osita Chidoka.
Some 91 years ago, Madam Chidoka wedded at the Saint Andrew’s Church, Obosi, and went on to deliver and nurture other Chidokas, one of whom would become the FRSC chief as well as a federal minister. In her memory and to honour the church to which they all stuck, Madam Chidoka’s grandchildren built a hall at Saint Andrew’s.
There was more to the occasion. The celebrities used it to rally Obosi residents, urging them to give back to their community. Anyaoku made that point clear.
Obosi is in Idemili North local government of Anambra State.
It was an event that stood out in the community. It coincided with the closing ceremony of the Anglican synod that took place at the church premises.
For Osita Chidoka, it was a monument to the memory of their matriarch and more importantly, as a generational reminder of their incalculable debt to their Anglican roots planted and nurtured by Juliana Chidoka.
“Mama wedded in this church founded in 1882 in 1925 and gave birth to my father in 1926,” he said. “My father’s joy knows no bounds as he turns 90 years in November.”
The traditional ruler of the kingdom, Igwe Chidubem Iweka was not short of appreciation for the Chidoka family for donating a storey building hall to the church in Obosi.
The monarch said the family had made the people of Obosi proud by remembering the matriarch of the family 91 years after.
Also, another son of Obosi, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who was all smiles on the day, told The Nation that it was important to always give back to the society.
He said he equally built a school opposite the church for the community, describing the action of the Chidokas as a wonderful gesture to the church and community.
The gesture, according to the former commonwealth secretary general, brought important people from all walks of life to the community.
Again, he said it was good because it coincided with the Anglican synod hosted at St. Andrews in the community, adding that the community had written its name in gold.
One of the women in the community, Agnes Ibesi told The Nation that the philanthropy of the Chidoka family was unrivaled in Obosi, adding that the former minister also built homes for the less privileged in the area.
“We are not going to forget the family in a hurry because they have helped and lifted some down trodden individuals in the society”
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Dogara was represented by the member, representing Ideato North and south federal constituency in Imo state, Hon. Austine Chukwukere, who praised the Chidokas’ for the gigantic building for the church.
He said the family led by example, while calling on others to emulate them.
The synod and the dedication of the church hall were equally attended by the former governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Nkem Okeke, among others.