Echoes about Eramha lgenepo Ateghie.
By Anthony Ogedegbe
For some of us who grew up within the Congo territory (Ughiagbai) in the 60s, Igenepo was a man that we all respected for his industry and uncommon entrepreneurship spirit. His first public popular appearance in Congo as many of us can recall was during the early period of the Nigerian – Biafra war. Igenepo had spent most of time as a very successful business man in northern Nigeria. He owned food commodity and transport business. During the Araba in the North when the Easterners were being targeted for genocidal operations, Igenepo used his trailer vehicle to evacuate many southerners and Ibos who were particularly targeted for annihilation. He successfully evacuated his family and properties and arrived home safely with his trailer. During the celebration of his safe arrival home, many of us rode on the trailer to Iraokhor singing and thanking God for the protection and safe arrival of our own. It was from Igenepo that we got first hand information about what was pending as far as the Gowon – Ojukwu saga was concerned.
Not quite long, Igenepo traveled back to the North again according to information to assist in the evacuation of more Ibos who were being massacred. It was in this process that he was arrested and his trailer confiscated and used to convey soldiers to the war fronts when full-scale hostilities began. He escaped being conscripted into the Nigerian army and came back without the trailer.
As a man with the spirit of never – give up, he relocated to Auchi to start all over again in order to survive until he finally relocated home because of old age. His life and temperament was no doubt shaped by the experience during the civil war when he lost his business in the North and had to start all over again.
His love for other Nigerian language especially Hausa was very deep and passionate. Anytime I come to the village, my first point of call naturally will be to his house so that he can refresh the Hausa language He loved so dear. He was very friendly and serious with anything he laid his hand to do. Igenepo will be remembered as a man who trusted only himself may be because of his life experiences. He was my very respected elder. I will surely miss him. My condolences to his family.
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Philip Orbih
May his Soul Rest in Peace.Thank you for this very interesting part of him we never knew.
All I recall of him is his Honda Roadmaster Motorcycle that he rode so confidently in the Village.You can easily identify when he is approaching by the sound of his Motorcycle. And of course his grocery store which I personally patronized growing up in Ogbona.May his Soul Rest in Peace.
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Wilson Asekomhe
May the soul of Eramha Igenepo rest in perfect peace. He was one of the earliest enterprising business men from Ogbona. Big brother Tony has written a perfect tribute on him. It was his diligence that stood him out at Auchi, near Public Field, where he had settled to start his business afresh. He was truly a never-give-up breed of a man. Adieu!
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Archbishop Fidelis Itsuokor: Truth be told, Eramha Igenepo was an astute businessman but not a philanthropist as presented here. He conducted his business like an Ibo man. He was transporting the Ibos back home during the war at a great cost, not for free. He had gone about twice. The third time he was caught by soldiers led by Murtala Muhammed, and the truck was seized and burnt, he was arrested by the soldiers along with his assistant driver, one Mustapha from Auchi, and his motor boy at the time, Alasa Ainabor. They were mistaken for Ibo men and were to be killed by the soldiers, but were rescued by Murtala Muhammed, who was the commandant, when they ( Igenepo and his boys) spoke Etsako to themselves and Murtala heard them. He told the soldiers that they were not Ibo and rescued them, but in anger, the soldiers set the truck ablaze. This was the story as told by Mustapha, the Auchi man. Up till his (Mustapha) death, he was a close friend of Igenepo when he was in Auchi. Eramha Igenepo was no doubt a good man.
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Alyegbeni Precious
Eramha Igenepo, the only man wen no de play with money and business, this man can speak English Jesus, if you bring any nonsense money to his shop, first of all he will spell his name for you before my man very funny man, rest in peace sir
