IGBOZURUOKE FORUM

As Ejiogu Reginald Kelechukwu, Chief Priest of Overall Deity of Owere Nchi Ise, Ala Owere, speaks to Boniface Alanwoko, facts that illuminate the essence of the Chief Priest, Ala Owere and Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education AIFCE emerge.

When Mr. Alanwoko stepped into the room where the custodian of Ala Owere was seated, he thought he had met one of the sons of the Chief Priest, for the person whom he later realized was the Eze mmuọ, was a young debonair who is academically sound and ready to bare it all.

In this outing, it can be said that, Ala Owere—the deity—was interacting directly with the reporter, excerps:

Sir, may I know who you are?

My name is Ejiogu Reginald Kelechukwu, the head of Ala Owere; the overall deity of Owere Nchi Ise.

What do you mean by the “head of Ala Owere”, how does it differ from other heads/leaders in Owerri, for example, the Eze of Owerri?

I am Onye Ishi Ala Owere (head of Owerri people) by the virtue of being the traditional head, the custodian of the ancestral staff (the ọfọ) of Owere Nchi Ise

I still want to be clear of this issue, what is the demacation between your status and that of His Royal Highness the Eze of Owerri?

Onye Ishi Ala Owere, the custodian of the staff (the ọfọ) of the ancestors of the whole Owere Nchi Ise is the link between an Owerri indigene, his or her ancestor, while the Eze, the the Ozuruiogbo of Owerri is the link between the people  and the different layers of government. Accordingly, it is the government who confirms and authorises the Eze to start fuctioning after giving him a staff of office. Equally, it is the Eze, that government recognizes, and it is through him, that government, gets to the peole when the need arises.

On the other hand, Onye Ishi Ala Owere, is regognised by the ancestors. I want you to recognize that our  ancestors are very much alive and in corporation with the gods of our lands, reach the people through different traditional and citural channels. While the Eze may be delt with or deposed by those who staffed him, irrespective of his subjects’ standpoints, Onye Ishi Ala Owere, is answerable only to the ancestors, gods and to the people whose ancestrial staff he has been entrusted with, and whose traditions and culture he must uphold. Ultimately, Onye Ishi Ala Owere is the deity of the people, through which the gods of the land and the ancestors communicate and conduct activities. One very important thing I want you to understand is that our ancestors are very much alive. They are not only living in our souls but in our genes and what have you.

In any Igbo community or town, the ancestors who set up the place had an agreement with the gods they met or those they brought to that place. It is from these agreements, which the culture and traditions of each community and towns evolve. For reasond based on what I have just said and partaining to the Owerri people, we don’t harm, kill or eat the phytom, we can kill or eat other snakes except that one. We don’t plant or eat ọnu (the three-leave yam). These two are part of the dos and don’ts that is handed down to Owerri people from their ancestors who founded and established the town. Equally, these terms have formed part of our culture and traditions.

Before I came here, I was expecting to meet an elderly man, who has one painted eye with white chalk, or a more scary appearance. But, here you are—a young debonaire looking man with good education and excellent knowledge of issues, what is the gambit?

Well, you may look at it from three perspectives. This is an issue of mentaining a culture. You don’t grow above it or allow your personal indulgience to interfere in running the affairs of Ala Owere. Secondly, there are precedence and modernization. In my ancestors’ days, you would expect to see them live in the forest where the shrine is located. Today, it is different, as urbanization has altered that scenario. Before I finally, assumed the head of Ala Owere, I was a public servant in Port Hacourt, where I lived with my family. When I was chosen by the deity, I have to abandon everything and land here to preside over the affairs of the deity.

While in Port Hacourt, I was enjoying a good and affluent life, but have to give in, when it became obvious that I was the chosen one and must obey the call. Before then there had been many signs and wonders which I ignored to which my son here can attest to. As time went on, members of my family and other stakeholders came to Port Harcourt and compelled me to to take the stool. Indeed, it will be naive for people to think that our ancestors  are dead, in comma or inert; They are not, because, they are active in our bones,veins, in our DNA and the their activities follow laid down rules while their appointments follow bloodlines.

On your question of being educated etc., there is a departure here, as exisgency demands, the man sitting here before you is a graduate—a stature that is needed to perfomed better in the present circumstance—unlike during the time of my father and those before him, who were not.

Do you know why I was insiting on determining your level of education, in recent times, I have met other newly crowned Chief Priest who are young sophisticated and educated, is this a development to counter the notion  where custodians who man Igbo deities are seen as achaic, diabolical and inconsequential?

The trouble we have always had is the arrogant and deceptive activities of the so-called men of God.  These people don’t see anything beyond their nose. They think and act as if everything must start and end with their approval, however, that cannot work and it is good to note that their well-coated ambience are  gradually unveiling for all to see the rot therein.

Without your feud with the authosities of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE) over the killing of the Nmiri-Nwore python, many outside Owere Nchi Ise do not know you,  nor the existence of the deity, Ala Owere; again, on the killing of this python, has it happened again since the episode that involved construction workers who build Wetheral Road?

The unprecedented thing about this killing, is that it took place during the sacred time of Oru Owere, the most important and sacred Owerri festival.

At what time of the year does this festival take place; apart from this recent killing,  has there been another time, the killing of the python happened from the time of the contractors and now?

It is a-two-month festival, from mid June to August, each year. Where my anger comes from is the fact that AIFCE is no stranger to the Owerri environment. It is one of the oldest institution in Owerri community. It knows, accepts and is under obligation to respect the culture and belief system of Owerri, as the host community.

Despite all this, it went on to commit this sacrilege. By now, our cultural and traditional tenets suppose to be added to the school’s curriculum, so that old and fresh students would be abreast with it; that is the only way the college and Ndi Owerri could work in synergy and avoid such ugly incidents.

Each year, Alvan organizes what they call a cultural week. So, if Alvan appreciates what culture is by celebrating it but turns round to violate the same culture and continue to play daft when confronted because it concerns other people, then Alvan is a lawless institution that is equally producing a bunch of law breakers. Consequently, Alvan should have no right to expel or punish any of its student caught in exam malpractice or those who violate the school’s laws in one way or another, because that is exactly what it is doing in this case.

So whoever is saying “it doesn’t matter, this is a Christian institution, Christian beliefs are what matter, we are covered by the blood of Christ” is naïve and very stupid. Look, the greatest mistake the Africans made and still making is to think that there is a different between the Bible and the gun; the Christians who are carrying the Bible and the missionaries/administrators who wear the white-collar clothes and carry guns, are the same people working together.

Once the Christians who carry the Bible and use preaches to entice, win you over, they pass you and the items they acquire, or you surrendered to them in the name of repentance and conversion, to their cousins, the missionaries who in turn engage the administrators who reprimand and condemn African beliefs, while carrying and ferrying African ancestral items and deities to their land. These deceivers and crooks committed unpardonable sins against Africans under the guides of evangelizations and conversions. Over there, they respect and practice their culture to the fullest but here, our overzealous brethrens will castigate anything African as evil.

Is it not appalling that if you want to see what our ancestors were like in those days, you have to travel to various European museums? For example, just recently, the popular American singer, Rihanna, came up to say, her mother once told her she is of Igbo ancestry.  So, if such a celebrated artiste, whose ancestors were sold into slavery in the America, can come out openly today and make such announcement, why can’t we as Africans be proud of our heritage. If you go to the US, there is a place called the Lincoln Memorial Arcade, it is where the statute of Abraham Lincoln, the foremost American leader is erected, Americans and other people visit there to pay homage to the man. So, if Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, an institution that is suppose to promote and be a morale booster to issues like the Igbo heritage, will turn round to spurn our culture, like they are doing in this case, then, it is shameful and regrettable.

There is a saying that he who comes into equity must come with clean hands. The students of this college killed the python because it killed and swallowed their goats. Now, you went to confront them to come for appeasement for killing the python. Would they have killed the snake if it didn’t kill and swallow their goods; and who will pay for the goats?

They caused it. This is simply a case of a snare, meant to implicate the totems. Alvan is domicile within the Nworie River. All that area, from the FMC down to the college and the surroundings are within that river.

A python is a constrictor and not a venomous snake. It has an extraordinary ability to smell foods that are far away let alone the ones that is nearby. It could have perceived the smell of those goats nearby and came out of the river. One of the injunctions to our tenants around the Nworie River is that they shouldn’t expose domestic animals that are unprotected within that vicinity, as it could attract the pythons. The authorities of AIFCE know this, yet they left the goats to entice the python. They must atone for this sacrilege.

There are many pythons in that river, they don’t come out of the river unnecessarily, which is why we don’t have much incidents of attacks on humans or animals. If you must rear domestic animals along that axis, you must ranch or cage them. If the animal won’t stay long, you use grounded pepper dust to cordon of the area from where the animals or animals are kept. Also, immediately they notice an incident like the one that has just happened, they should have immediately called us, as we know what to do to send the reptiles back to the river.

But they said the snakes have been harassing them, what do you say to this?

They are the ones harassing the snakes, by enticing and provoking them. Alvan is a tenant in that area. They are tenants to the pythons who are the occupants of the Nworie River. Okay, if the snakes have been harassing them as they claim, that we the custodians are not aware of, why haven’t they fenced off the area where the snakes always pass to get to the campus?

You have gone to AIFCE authorities to issue them a-seven-day ultimatum for the appeasement rites, have they responded, are you even sure they will?

As the custodians of Ala Owere, we follow laid down rules. We can’t be emotional about traditional issues. We have done the right thing for now by going there to protest with ọmu—the tender leaflet of the palm tree—which symbolizes peace. We are the custodians of Owerri culture and traditions. AIFCE is one of our tenants; we don’t want problems; we want peace and that is why we are patiently and systematically looking for a solution to this incident. Of course, one month has elapsed, we haven’t seen them but we will still exercise patience and follow the rule until when it becomes clear they are not interested in peace.

Another thing is that, as a father, I have school children who are living in hostels. For example, not every student on the campus will knows or may be involve in certain things that happened. Some are scrupulous students, lecturers and officials who observe the tenets and rules of the school authorities and that of the vicinity where they live. So, we put ourselves in their shoes and refrain from any quick process that will activate the potency of the deity. We are allowing ample time and opportunity for all and sundry.  So that those who may not be aware of the incident could become aware of the situation, while those who have decided to engage in impiousness as it relates to this matter, would equally appraise their position.

You can see that emerging chief priest are sophisticate ones, In that manner, the conducts of their engagement between the deities and the people are equally being modernized and allowed to follow laid rules. If it were in the days of my fathers, they would have activated the potency of Ala Owere for actions immediately the ultimatum elapses. But as 21^st custodians, it is our duty to always look beyond an incident so that incidents of fatalities and casualties that may emanate from actions of Igbo deities could be minimize.

This is not the first time this type of incident has happen. In the previous incidents, after the offenders denigrateded and cast aspersions on the Eze  mmuọ, who was my father, they later came for settlement. The case will not be different, they would come to seek for appeasement. Unfortunately, avoidable casualitites and fatalities would have occured before they realize that Ala Owere is not a deity anybody can toy with.

The Igbo culture and traditions are having a hard time. What is the cause and what can be done to remedy the situation?

The probems Igbo Culture are having is due to Igbo stupidity. Among the tree major tribes in Nigeria, only the Igbo disregard their culture and strive to denigrate it.  Ndi Igbo want to become more Catholic than the Pope. The way they practice Christianity in Igbo land, is insincere, shameful and nauseting.

For example, those of us who were born half a century ago, inherited a good platform of Igbo culture and trdition. When I was a kid, my uncles and kinsmen who were married and living outside Owerri, were entitled to a portion of farm land, just like those at home for the annual planting season. Once it was time everyone’s portion would be earmarked and provided. It then depended on the benefiary to either look for a labourer who will do the farming for him, dash it to whoever he likes or sell it.

Our ancestore practiced and passed a wonderful format on how to follow their steps but we throw everything overboard. In their days equity reigned. Greed and covetiousness as we see them today were minimal. Respect and love for a kinsman and the gods they  served were in vogue. They practiced fairness, truth, harmony and lived and died in peace.

But, the Igbo of today, want to be more Catholic than the Pope. The propederant drive of the Igbo Christianity is greed. It is this greed that leads them to commit all forms of atrocities in Igbo land, today. F or example, look at the prolifiration of Christian denominations. If we start a church together, or I employ you as a pastor  and you feel you are not getting your fair share of the spoils, you begin to forment trouble by pedling lies and try to outdo your principal so as to attract more converts as you open your own church.

But why is it,  that people believe these deceivers as you call them and embrace their activities. Why are people nolonger flocking to the deities for solutions and for appreciations as they use to do. Why demonizing the pastors since they did not force anybody to come to them?

Part of it is what I have explained about the atrocities of Ndi Igbo as regards to upholding the tenets of their culture and traditions. Among the three major tribes in Nigeria, the Igbo are the only one that scorn their culture. Do you know that religion is part of a culture. If you spurn your culture, how do you want people to respect an accept your religion? It is for the same reason the Igbo himselves are being religated to the background among the three major tribes.

We the current Igbo generation are to be blamed. The most repulsive side of this problem is that eighty percent of these new-generation churches are powered by forces that are not related to the Christian god. If you are a constant visitor here, you would have seen numerous of these pastors coming here to say they want partner with Ala Owere. They try to con me by saying since they reside in Ala Owere teritory, they would like a partnership with it. This is because, most of these pastors are well read and understand the principles of culture and tradition. They know that such partnership would lead Ala Owere to empower their churches for more converts and better harvests. But I always tell them that you cannot be a beneficiary of Mr. Hawk and still call him an evil bird, as the Igbo would say. If you want to partner with us—fine—but you must renouce your faith. Because if Ala Owere favours you today, you would be the one to stand on the pulpit tomorrow and say all nonsense about Igbo cultre and the same Ala Owere.

So the atitude and failings of the current Igbo generation are the problem. Our bag is full of iniquities and atrocities. Untill the Igbo demostrate a different mindset, our problems will continue to worsen. If you go to most Asian countries, there are days they celebrate their deads ancestors. Like I said our ancestors are not dead and can never be far from us, if the Igbo like, let them continue to listen to the Christian church’s  deceptive propagations or to their develish offsprings, the Pentecostal denominations, as time goes, we will begin to acknowledge the truth.

Let me tell you, if you are from a family that keeps record, check the pictures and characters of your past parents. Those of you who are alive today, would realize you share certain  traits with them. Our ancestors are alive and they are in our genes. When I went to do my youths’ service duty in Port Harcourt, I left here with an almost empty small bag. When I get there and after my assignment, I settled there, worked hard and with the blessings of god and help of my ancestor I propered and built a house. Now if by the time am gone and my grandsons occupies the place as an iheritance, tomorrow he or his wife will follow the Christians and begin to castigate and demonize his ancestors. Another issue we always overlook is that of identity. We all answer our fathers’ names. Who are they?  How would you say you have a disconnect with your ancestor whose name you bear?  As we follow these fraudulent  Pentecostal pastors to abuse our ancestors, whose bequest and largesse we still enjoy and survive on, how do you think we will have peace or prosper. So I advise Ndi Igbo to go back to where they hang their wrapper and pick it up.

One final question sir, The Igbo would say, “He, who claims to be a healer of whitlow disease must possesses perfect fingers. As you are the Ezemuọ, why is your immediate family practicing Christianity? 

I understan and appreciate your last question. Before I become the Chief Priest, I use to attend church with my family. When I was informed that I had been choosen to be the next Ezemuọ, I vehemently refused and tried to stop it with numerous church prayers and Christian injuctions, but when everything failed, and the troubles and preasures continued, I acquiesced.

Everything cannot change over night. For example, my children attend Christian schools. Schools are agent of socialization. Religions are equaly agents of socialization. I woun’t force them to join me immediately. With time, they will  see the light, by then, nobody will tell them to cross to the tent where truth prevails.

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