ASHAKA – The Ogude family in Anyama, Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State have been remembering their father, grandfather and great grandfather, the Late Alfred Edune Ogude who died on May 31, 1965. He was the Okpala Ukwu of Ibrede clan (Ibrede, Anyama, Anwai, Iyede Ame among others) and the Igwe of Anyama.
A statement issued in Ashaka by the Ogude family and signed by his son, Nicholas Chukwuyenum Ogude, a copy of which was made available to The Nigerian Observer yesterday said that “their late father who hails from Anyama but lived in Ashaka was a philanthropist, devout Christian, caring and loving father and husband.
“An ideal African care taker of the extended family and all that knew him,” Nicholas Ogude said his late father was a Senior Clerk of the prestigious Oil mill in Ashaka and a member of Tax Board directors of Mid West State Nigeria. He was the first president of of Ndosimili Federal Union Ashaka now Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State.”
A leader of the NCNC in Aboh Division in the then Mid West State, the late Alfred Ogude was an interpreter to the great ZIK of Africa, Late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, first President of Nigeria. Alfred Ogude was also the president of customary court Ashaka as well as a senior member of Native Authority under the leadership of the Obi of Aboh, the highest authority of chiefs. He was also the Chairman of Board of Directors of Saint Paul’s Commercial Secondary School, Ashaka.
He is also being remembered for contributing immensely to the development of Ashaka, especially the building of the two main secondary schools in Ashaka- Mater Dei and Mary Magdalene.
It will be recalled that the late Alfred Edune Ogude was murdered by some Ibrede citizens over a disputed land between Anyama and Ibrede people known as Anoh. The Late Ogude was in his mid 40s on May 31,1965 when the death merchants came calling in the middle of Ase Creek in broad daylight. He was just on his way in a boat from the survey of the said Anoh land following a court order which was in his favour. He was accompanied by four government licensed surveyors and four of his relations when they were brutally attacked
“On the approach of Ibrede people who were aboard several boats armed with dangerous weapons, Edune Ogude was dispossessed of his double barrel gun even at his request for self defense by surveyor, Mr Richard Akpojaro who made sure that he had no access to his gun. This made self- defense impossible for him and rendered him vulnerable to his assailants. This accelerated the callous act of man’s inhumanity to man against him, a phenomenon incredible yet has been seen. Richard Akpojaro fell into the river and got drowned in the course of struggling for the gun. The other 3 surveyors and his 4 relatives came out alive.
“The news of his death shook Aboh Division and Mid West as it was published in The Nigerian Observer in early June 1965. This left expressions such as “Irreplaceable Vacum”, “The Mighty Iroko Tree Has Fallen”, “Tradition Has Received A Mighty Blow On The Face”…. recalls his son, Nicholas Chukwuyenum Ogude.
“Papa, it’s like yesterday in our minds. May your soul Rest in Perfect Peace. Amen” the family statement stated.
The Late Alfred Edune Ogude is survived by wives, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren