OBITUARY: OMINYI-JAMES AJA And His Extraordinary Life

Written By Genesis OGIRI & Peter OJOKO 

The passing of Pa Ominyi-James Aja on November 16, 2023, marked a profound moment of sorrow for many communities, particularly for the people of Akwunda-Ikwokwu Ito. His death elicited a festival of tears, as the news spread like wildfire, leaving a significant void in the hearts of those who knew him and benefited from his wisdom and guidance. 

Pa Ominyi-James Aja, was born January 15, 1903, in Akwunda-Ikwokwu Ito to the family of Aja Alobo, ANYOMIRI of ABILEGA, passed away peacefully at his residence on November 16, 2023, at a good Old Age. He is survived by four of his eight children (five sons and three daughters) and was predeceased by four children. He was married to three wives.

Ominyi-James Aja, a remarkable figure who dedicated his extraordinary 120 years to community peace and development, joined his ancestors on Thursday, November 16, 2023. He thrived against adversities that marked his way from childhood, survived storms, and championed the culture and tradition of Igede Land

Pa Aja, who was revered not only for his age but also for the depth of his knowledge, was considered a living encyclopedia of Igede history. His contributions to the community were invaluable, as he dedicated much of his life to preserving the culture, traditions, and stories of the Igede people. Many turned to him for counsel and insights into their heritage, making his loss feel like the extinguishing of a vital light in the community. As residents and families gathered to mourn, they shared memories of his kindness, strength, and the countless ways he had touched their lives.

 Pa Ominyi-James Aja's legacy will undoubtedly live on, as those who loved him continue to honor his memory by preserving the rich history and traditions he so passionately championed. This outpouring of grief serves as a poignant reminder of his impact and the enduring connections within the fabric of the Igede community

Ominyi-James Aja's life was indeed a remarkable journey, marked by the profound meaning of legacy . As the only child of his father, he navigated the intricacies of life with unique experiences and challenges. His ability to multiply his lineage speaks volumes about his dedication to family and the bonds he nurtured throughout his life. Living to witness the growth of his expansive family, 52 grandchildren, 80 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren, underscored the depth of his impact on his descendants. Each generation represents not only the continuation of his lineage but also the values, traditions, and wisdom he imparted. 

Ominyi-James Aja’s legacy serves as an inspiring reminder of the importance of family connections and the joys that come with nurturing relationships across generations. His life story is a testament to the enduring nature of love and the significant role that one individual can play in shaping the lives of many. As his family continues to grow, they carry forward his spirit and teachings, ensuring that his influence remains woven into the fabric of their lives.

Ominyi-James, a member of the Ikpa-Iri age group, lived a full and meaningful life marked by humility, self-discovery, and leadership. A respected systemic farmer, he was counted among his close contemporaries Upele Peter Acham of (ECHORI community), Alome Ako, Eje Umoetu  Ijoke, Agogo Oji, Adoga Uche, Adima Ode Ukwayi, and Imala Ohuye, all of whom predeceased him.

Late Ominyi-James was a great bridge builder who contributed immensely to the development and preservation of cultural heritage of Ikwokwu land.  An astute cultural administrator and  historical technocrat, who ascended the throne of Akwunda  spiritual Deity.  A guide of his people. He was a true custodian of the rich culture and traditions of his community.

The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living”.-Marcus Tullius Cicero. This is true because good men hardly die, they literally live forever in the hearts and memories of all those numerous lives they have impacted positively while on earth!

Our father is gone, we are in mourning mood, it is time to look ahead and work better on those things he spent the greater part of his life to build and maintain in terms of  culture and tradition, he was an encyclopedia of history and culture especially, that of  Igede. He was of course History and Culture personified.

OMINYI Aja fought many battles, most times conquering. He was intentionally tough and brutal, apparently due to his experience, which shaped his determination to prevent the injustice 

The late Ominyi-James was a Spoke Person of Akwunda Community for decades  and he played a pivotal role in Community Peace. He brought integrity, colour and glamour to the traditional heritage to the admiration of many in the Community and beyond. 

One thing that stood for the late Ominyi-James was his readiness to stand by whatever he believed in irrespective of the controversy such a position might generate. Such is one of the virtues of a purposeful leadership.

He played a key role in establishing the LGEA primary school in Akwunda-Ito, leading a delegation to the Otukpo Native Authority to successfully petition for the school's construction.

Like many great leaders, Ominyi-James was a multifaceted individual. To his family, he was a pillar of strength and a devoted provider. Within his Akwunda community, he served as a community mobilizer and a highly skilled farmer. He embodied the community's epic journey of self-discovery and self-actualization.

A brave and multi-talented man, Ominyi-James wasn't one to shy away from hard work. He supplemented his income by crafting hoe handles for farmers, showcasing his industrious nature. During the rainy season, people from surrounding communities would gather at Ominyi-James's house to buy his handcrafted hoe handles.

Ominyi-James valued talents, especially creative Hunting and insightful thinking. Many times when he travelled to farm, he was in his quarters to keep hunting Animals with his systemic hunting Technique call 'AWURI' while away from home working in the fields to hunt animals and provide for his family.

Ominyi-James  life's adventures started in his early years. He was born into a humble family, he has experienced the sublimity attached to such birth as a child. It said that his father was enriching him with the required ingredients of tough adulthood, which he perhaps had foreseen.

Despite lacking formal education, Ominyi-James possessed a profound and encyclopedic knowledge of history, particularly Igede land traditions. His father's death derailed his planned studies, but his erudition shone through in his insightful interventions on historical and traditional matters.

He was very much at home with the history of virtually every Communities in Igede land. Hardly could he be found wanting in any aspect of Igede tradition and norms going by the richness of his contributions to whatever subject he was to discuss.

“Going by his candour, erudition, acumen, charisma and bravery, Ominyi-James raised the bar of Peace Advocacy in Akwunda land to a very high pedestal. His type is not easy to come by,” 

In  his private realm, he was a doting father. Despite living a life of Farmer, he enjoyed his life, married many wives and fathered many children, and often danced in the midst of ordinary people, who admired and feared him.

Late Ominyi-James stood out as a voice of forthrightness in Community affairs and he was as well a fervent promoter of mutual tolerance and understanding not only among the diverse people who lives in his domain but also across the Communities

Ominyi-James was remarkably royal and graceful in appearance and a delight to watch when he spoke or displayed his elegant traditional dancing prowess. He would walk to his drummers his preferred beats and songs, all philosophical and a reflection of historical occurrences.

He epitomised the culture and tradition of the Igede and stayed committed to the traditional religion, carefully ensuring that the effects of modernity did not erode the culture and tradition of his people. He declared that was the bond he had with his ancestors and of course, his life purpose.

He was a repository of Igede traditional history and made several interventions to resist distortion of history, especially regarding chieftaincy matters. Even many Igede people, who would wish he was gentler, credited him for his defence of culture and tradition. The Igede may have lost the last of their cultural heroes.

He was extraordinarily courageous. He offered himself as a champion of his people. He was loud against threats of insecurity, openly assured youth  to protect themselves against external aggression. 

Although,  Ominyi-James’s passage is like a dream, especially as he left us at a crucial state in our Community’s history when his wise counsel and rich experience are greatly needed, I would urge you and all the members of his immediate and extended family to take solace in the worthy legacy and his mark on the history of this Community he left behind. In fact, we ought to give gratitude to God for his worthy life.

“May God grant his family, the good people of Akwunda land and the entire Ikwokwu Communities the grace to bear the heavy loss of his death. May the soul of the dear departed rest in perfect peace”, 

Apostle Genesis ogiri, concluded.