It was an atmosphere of sustained love and family togetherness on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State as the Descendents of Aghaeze (Umu Aghaeze) gathered together for their 88th family reunion and Fellowship.
The Umu Aghaeze Family of Onicha-Olona which has Major General Raymond Ochei of the Nigerian Army and Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly as members of this family with over two hundred other members, has a unique tradition of gathering every year for the purpose of family reunion.
This year’s family reunion which was a five day event commenced on Thursday, March 28 with registration of Family members who arrived Onicha-Olona from across Nigeria and abroad. It ended on Sunday, March 31 with family thanksgiving at the Church of Ascension, Onicha-Olona and Prayers offered by the most senior elder (Diokpa) of the Family.
The day two of the Family reunion, which was on Good Friday, March 29th, held at El-Olam Hall, Major General Raymond Ochei’s residence in Onicha-Olona, was indeed a unique one. It afforded the entire family the opportunity to gather in a Family fellowship where in no small measure, the Aghaeze family showcased their Christianity offshoot through praise and worship to the Lord God Almighty. A sermon was also delivered by Pastor John Fejuku also a member of the family, thereafter prayers offered to God for the Aghaeze Family members worldwide.
It continued immediately after the worship encounter with a speech titled, “Umu Aghaeze: A Historical Journey Through Time”, delivered by an illustrious Son of the Family, Major General Raymond Ochei.
Gen. Ochei in the speech dwelled extensively on the past, present and future of Umu Aghaeze Family.
He stated that the Umu Aghaeze Family Reunion was a gathering used in celebrating their family, their progenitors, their history, and rich cultural heritage as well as their uncommon achievements, courage and good examples. He also said the gathering was an opportunity to celebrate their spirit of brotherhood and volunteerism.
“We also celebrate our patriotism and triumph, our compassion and love for ourselves and fellow citizens, our generosity and finally, the new generation of young men and women who are going to keep the flag of our great family name and honour flying.
“As a family, we have decided to travel this family path again during this season of Lent. As we all know, family reunions present great opportunities to reconnect with our siblings, share our common stories, and create new memories as well as bond like a family. It also affords us the opportunity to appreciate the uniqueness of our family and to plan for the future,” General Ochei added.
The Nigerian Army General who revealed that the children of Aghaeze are people from different backgrounds which he noted remains the foundation of their lives and being, and emphasized it was a privilege to be a part of the Aghaeze Family, even as he appealed to the family not to forget to celebrate their heritage, and engage with family members they do not know or have not seen in a very long while, including those they see frequently
While chronicling the Aghaeze bravery roles played during the Ekumeku movement of the 17th Century which remains the biggest and deadliest war in the history of Anioma people (Delta North), he disclosed that their progenitor, Aghaeze who he revealed left Benin Kingdom to Onicha Olona, had three children named: Ochei, Anikwue and Okechukwu.
Giving an overview of the heroism and bravery of the descendants of Aghaeze overtime, General Ochei stated that their forefathers were liberators who emancipated their people from the oppressive neighbours and foreign powers. He said around the 16th Century, the Aghaeze Family gained ascendancy for being the leading light in nearly all the inter-communal clashes of that era. A feat, he observed, could be replicated in present times through non kinetic means because of changing times.
“The Aghaeze family could therefore increase its various charitable and intervention activities aimed towards winning the hearts and minds of people within the community.
“Encourage family members who are well placed to continue with their commendable people oriented programs that will benefit the family and a vast majority of our people.
“We should ensure that the dignity and honour of the family is upheld at all times. Replicate the bonding and togetherness of our forefathers and create a sustainable communication platform, “Major General Ochei noted in his recommendations
While preaching love, cooperation and positive family relationships, Major General Raymond Ochei, said the journey ahead of them was tough but insurmountable, so they must reinvent their family and themselves now, adding that “It’s a moral debt we owe our ancestors and our younger ones.”
“This is the only way to sustain the legacy and rich tradition our progenitors built and preserved over the years,” He stated.
Shortly before he delivered his inciseful speech, Major General Raymond Ochei, in a chat with journalists, said the Aghaeze Family Reunion event was started around 1936, about 88 years ago.
“The reunion started around 1936 by our forefathers. To them, there was a need for all members of the Aghaeze Family to gather themselves to network, plan ahead for the future; know their past mistakes, present and come out with modalities for the future. Since that time till now, it is something that we don’t joke with.
“So you find out that over time, every Easter, anyone who has Aghaeze blood must be around for the Easter celebration. We don’t miss it. Right from when we were born. You may miss Christmas, but if you miss Easter, you’ll have to go for a DNA test. We were born into it, and it started in 1936. What we do is that after every four years, we do what is called a reunion.
“That reunion, everybody that has our blood – if you are a lady, you are married, you come with your children; if your children are married, they come with their children’s children. If your children’s children are married, you come with their children’s children,” The General revealed.
There’s the story of a nonagenarian, 93 years-old man who lives in the United Kingdom. His maternal grandmother was the daughter of Aghaeze. To express his commitment to the meeting, he sent money to someone to buy a Ram, which was presented as his contribution to the reunion meeting.
Importantly, the Aghaeze family is a Christian family and speaking about the family’s strong Christian roots, the General said:
“Ochei (first son of Aghaeze) in his wisdom had denounced traditional African religious practices and embraced Christianity after all his conquests after all his achievements. He became a model of Christian charity as a strong member of St. Peters Anglican Church in Onicha-Olona. So, no one was surprised when he donated our family land to the Catholic Mission, even as an Anglican member, when the catholic Church eventually arrived in Onicha-Olona.”
Major General Ochei also recalled an incident that occurred in the 1980s, which had to do with Ichinmo (taking of traditional title).
“On that day, the issue of Ichinmo title-taking was raised by a member of our family who desperately wanted to be initiated into our town’s clan of red cap chiefs. This family member wanted to know why no one had deviated from the instruction of Ochei, our grandfather, who had outlawed the Ichinmo title in our family due to his Christian faith. I still remember the look on Pa Samuel Ochei’s face as he responded swiftly: “We remain committed and united on the stand of our father, Ochei Aghaeze because we are Christians, and we have no fellowship with traditional practices. If we go against his instruction, we will all regret it. It is a no go area.”
Major General Ochei traced the Aghaeze family tree to Bini kingdom. He said: “There’s a family in the ancient Bini Kingdom known as the Igbedion family. Igbedion was the father of Diagbor. Diagbor gave birth to Aghaeze; Aghnaeze now gave birth to Ochei, the first son, Anikwe and Okechukwu. This is the umbrella. Now, I, (major general Raymond Ochei, I’m a direct grandson of Ochei, the first born of Aghaeze.”
Answering a question, the General said himself and the former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, who showed prominent presence at the Aghaeze Family reunion, are first cousins.
The event concluded with a family dinner where there were sumptuous meals and assorted drinks.
