Bukola Afeni
The Oko community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State has fixed October 9, 2025, for the burial of its late traditional prime minister, Onowu Oko, Ichie Martin Ezeosim.
The announcement was made in a statement by the Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee of the Onowu Oko Burial Committee, Chief Reuben Muoka.
Ezeosim’s passing was earlier announced by the traditional ruler of Oko, HRH Igwe Prof. Laz Ekwueme (Eze Ijikala II) and his cabinet, alongside the Oko People’s Union (OPU) and the family.
According to the statement, funeral rites for the late Onowu, who was second-in-command to the Igwe of Oko, will begin with a Christian burial ceremony in his country home in Eziabo Village, Oko, before a reception at the Alex Ekwueme Civic Centre.
The statement reads: “The late Onowu Oko , the traditional Prime Minister, who is the second in Command to Igwe of Oko, died at the age of 78, with a string of remarkable contributions to the development of the community.
“The funeral rites for a befitting burial of Onowu Oko, have been set for the Alex Ekwueme Civic Centre, Oko, after a Christian burial ceremony in his country home in Eziabo Village in Oko.
“A committee for the official burial of the late Onowu, led by a member of the Oko Council of Chiefs, Chief Larry Iloh, and other prominent members from all segments of the Oko community, have been set up to oversee a very befitting ceremony that will involve the participation of government officials, the entire Oko community and their friends.”
Igwe Ekwueme described the late Onowu, who died at 78, as “an illustrious, reliable and hardworking community leader who contributed immensely in many facets of the community’s development and leadership.”
He urged the committee to ensure that the community hosts befitting rites for the late traditional prime minister.
President of OPU, Nze Sunday Nwafor, also paid tribute, describing Ezeosim as “humble Christian, with a personae, bravery and carriage that are worthy of emulation in the community.
In his message, Chairman of Onowu Oko Burial Committee, Chief Iloh, said the Community, on behalf of Oko Community, owes a lot of gratitude to the late Onowu whose contributions are invaluable.
He promised that the committee will leave no stone unturned to ensure that Oko sons, daughters, and friends of the Community, turn up to pay their last respects to the late leader.
