A lot have been said about late Sir Desmond Ogugua, the former traditional ruler and imperial majesty of Eziudo 1 Ancient kingdom in Ezinihitte Mbaise, Imo State.
He was one of the greatest traditional rulers ever in Imo State and across Igbo land. During his reign, he was credited with developing his place, made a lot of human capital investments, mostly on the youths of his place.
The photo of the car in this piece is the 1979 Mercedes 280 SE model, which was used by the late HRM Eze (Sir) Desmond Ogugua of Ezinihite Mbaise, during his first outing in 1979 after his coronation as king (Eze of Eziudo 1 Ancient kingdom in Ezinihitte Mbaise).
During a recent interview, his personal driver gave an account of how good and benevolent the late traditional ruler was during his reign and while alive. According to his narration, the late traditional ruler sent a lot of youths from his kingdom abroad, both for studies, work, etc.
He also revealed that many of those who benefited from the late Monarch’s benevolence and large heart have become so wealthy today. Such that some are millionaires and billionaires today.
Surprisingly, he did not just train people in school to study any how courses, there are those who studied law, engineering, etc, according to the accounts of the Driver.
The driver talked about how the late Eze has been like a God to his life, including adopting him as a son, helping him to build his own house, married and trained his children, of which he is happily a grand father at the moment.
The driver said he has been driving him from 1994 till his death in 2019, and has remained in the Palace till date. Further, the driver revealed that even after the death of Sir Desmond, that he’s still a very active member of his family, and nothing has changed even after his death.
Then he showed the secondary school built by him for the education of his people, as part of his numerous human capital investments and development projects for his people.
(signpost of the said secondary school built by the late Monarch for his people)
It was even said that upon his demise, his people wept inconsolably, simply because of his relationship with his subjects, how good and precious he has been to him, such that they haven’t experienced from anyone else.
During his time, he was an active and founding member of the famous People’s Club of Nigeria, which has great personalities like late Chief Stephen Osadebe and Chief Oliver De Coque as its founding and active members as well.
(From left: The personal driver of the late Monarch and the CEO of Creative Lord TV)
His funeral ceremony in December 2019, he received lots of eulogies from people from all walks of life, to tell you about the kind of man he was. Dignitaries at his funeral were massive, including former Governor of Imo State Ikedi Ohakim.
Others include former Minister of Science and Technology, late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Sen. Bright Nwanne, late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former Minister for Labour and Productivity, Mr Emeka Nwogu, and too many others.
Following his coronation in 1979 along other traditional rulers in Imo State, Dr. Desmond Ogugua has been on the throne for about four decades (40 years), yet remained steadfast in his benevolence towards his people.
Funny enough, he’s reported to be a very wealthy man, who unlike others who use their wealth and connection to oppress the people, he used his own wealth to develop his place and his people. Take a visit to his place and interview people, you will be amazed at how much he is still loved by his people owing to the good things he did for them while he was alive.
Why we equally eulogize persons like this is for others to learn from them and emulate their footsteps and lifestyle. To understand that life doesn’t revolve around how wealthy you are are, how wicked you are to your people, how oppressive and draconian you are.
But how good you are to people, how many lives you have changed and impacted positively.
