By: Ike Philip Abiagom
The Ogbuenyi title in (Ala) Illah Community involves a traditional practice in which a particular male has metaphorically killed a cow. It has been emphasized that cow in the traditional sense symbolizes the mother earth. The Ogbuenyi process is complex yet, necessary in our society where it is practiced. However, it is called “Alor” in communities like Asaba, Ibusa, Akwukwu-Igbo and others.
The Alor come with integrity, honour and authority for some traditional reasons. Alor is an expensive title with rigorous ceremonies that require efforts and money to embark on especially in individual capacity. To be an Ogbuenyi in Illah, one must be a male and must have lost his father to death. It is the loss of the father that symbolizes the manhood status in him. Although age is not a factor here, it is an abomination for anyone to share Alor status with his living father. What is derivable from it is that the rites of Alor does not recognize anyone as a man in the presence of his father since it is the demise of the father that thrust one with fatherhood and accompanying fatherly responsibilities.
Ogbuenyi Chidi Emelue, the Dublin based business Man is being conferred with the Alor Title (Ogbuenyi)in Ayaji Quarters, Illah in Oshimili North Local Government of Delta State. In Illah Alor title (Ogbuenyi) has some well cherished expectation, not fighting in the streets, must not be found publicly drunk or misbehave, shall not steal or be found guilty of any misconduct, involve in criminal activity as doing any of the foregoing would tantamount to demeaning the traditional office and the honour that characterizes it as well as watering down the esteem of other traditional title holders in Illah community.
Ogbuenyi Chidi Emelue,is eminently qualified considering the fact that he lost his father some years ago. Since then has never allowed the situation to depress him, rather he focused on the realisation of his life ambition. Infact, the condition that he must be fatherless before he can be qualified for the title made him to once more regret his father’s death. As disclosed by him, he would have preferred forgoing the title, and seeing his father witness his achievements.
On Saturday 11th January, 2024, history was made in the Ayaji Quarters, Illah, when Ogbuenyi Chidi Emelue join the elitist elders’ club which is the Ogbuenyi Ala. However, His Quarter discovered that something was missing in his life which he must achieve in order to further move higher. Considering this, the community found Ogbuenyi Chidi Emelue worthy of Alor (Ogbuenyi) title, and for him to accept it, without postponement, a town crier was assigned to announce the intention of the members of his traditional council, and the date of the ceremony.
According to one of the High Chief from Ayaji quarters, with Emelue’s excellent performance, developmental strides, very mature attitude and human dispositions, the people could no longer wait for him to grow up higher traditionally coupled with his status as an asset to the people of Ayaji Quarters, and his kinsmen in particular.
Going down memory lane, we are reminded why the traditional history of Illah says, that until and unless one becomes an Ogbuenyi Ala, he remains strongly and very solidly a member of the community’s workforce, in order words, the person shall actively participate in all community’s menial jobs and youth’s group activities such a carrying of corpses/caskets and digging of graves during burial ceremonies as well as other community errands, among others. ‘But today Ogbuenyi Chidi Emelue escaped all these as he has really bought the exalted status of an elder in the community with his money as he can conveniently and comfortably sit in a meeting with elders in all traditional, customary and social occasions, take all vital decisions affecting the lives, welfare and development of his people as an accomplished community leader’’.
Before he clinched the title, Emelue diligently went through the traditional rigors which started with the customary preliminary hurdle, which is known as Igbu Egwu-Ogwa’’, which is the first part of the initiation process and determines his suitability, followed by other traditional matters including the official fixing of dates as well as provision of the statutory requirements needed to actualize the ambition of the aspirants. He was formerly received by the Council of Chiefs at the palace of the Royal Majesty accompanied by his families,friends and well wishers. Following the confirmation of the alor title at the Royal Majesty Palace, He was celebrated on his way home with traditional music and drums.
As expected, he went through days of traditional ceremony, which involves provision of hundreds of sizeable tubers of yams, cows, lavish cooking of foods and quantum supply of assorted drinks, Apart from payment of high impressively specified sums of money that makes the title an exclusive privilege for few persons who are capable as well as other prerequisites needed to make one an elder in the midst of others in the society.
Ogbuenyi Chidi Emelue,thanked God for making it possible for him to witness the event, saying that it was a thing of joy to belong to a group where God’s grace made it possible for one to be. He thanked His Royal Majesty, the Diokpa, leadership and people of Ayaji Quarters, his family members, friend for their support which made the title taking a success.
He appreciated his wife, children and members of his family and assured that the title would spur him to be of greater service to his village and the Illah community.