The Nigerian Village Square - Francis J. Ellah: Tribute To An Unrepentant Igbo Traditionalist

Francis J. Ellah: Tribute To An Unrepentant Igbo Traditionalist

Written by Ossie Ezeaku

Monday, 28 April 2008

Also See: Interview with Senator Ellah from May 2005

Every man is created for a purpose to which he represents. Man's sense of mission on earth is not only measured by his articulation of the ideals which he believes in, but also by his tenacity to defend those ideals. Men fight for different causes, and whatever may be their nature, these causes eventually define the individual's place in history. In Nigeria as in elsewhere, each of the public figures, living or dead, has one thing or the other that he would be remembered for.

The passing recently of Ogbuehi, Chief, Senator Francis Ellah, Eze Nwadei of Ogbaland in Rivers state, has marked yet another turning point in the geo-politics of the post-war Igboland and Nigeria in general. The Ogba high Chief, besides his active involvement in the Nigerian national politics, where he was once a federal minister, was as well involved quietly in the struggle to resist the corruption of his identity.

The drive by some of his Rivers kinsmen to differ from other Igbos on ethnic identity was consistently known to have been repudiated by the high Chief, and to which he and his fellow traditionalists had fought long hard to show the need for assertiveness in their domain..

Down the path of his honourable life, the virtues of doggedness, clear vision and principles were consistent with Senator Ellah, even as he resigned his membership of the Nigerian Senate in 1984 following issues of conflicting interests. He was one of the premier voices on the methodology of oil revenue allocation to the bearing communities. Chief Ellah was a graduate of History at the University of London (University college, Ibadan).

Responding against the backdrop of the incendiary nature of the question of who is an Igbo in Rivers state, and the variety of the dialects, the Senator once said, " We have described this before; I told you an Igbo is an Igbo. If you look at the language, culture, etc, these are some of the things that determine an ethnic group. I'm a student of History. I started from the known to the unknown. Being an Igbo, I started with Igbo History, and then studied other ethnic groups".

After his years in the public service where he rose to become the Head of the Civil Service in Rivers state, he ventured into private business and eventually got to his pinnacle. Upon founding the Ellah Lakes Plc, he sat on the board of many organizations until his sudden death.

Chief Ellah's wisdom and intellect were universally recognised, and which, on many occasions had brought upon him the burden of representation on very serious matters concerning Ndigbo in Nigeria. A rare privilege enjoyed by the likes of Chief Justice Chukwudifu Oputa or His Majesty, Prof. Chike Edozien. With the passing of Chief Ellah and others such as Chiefs MCK Ajuluchukwu, Sam Mbakwe, Akanu Ibiam etc., the number of these rare breed of people is fast on the way out, unless something drastic was done to change the psychology of leadership in Igboland.

It would be recalled that Chief Ellah was nominated by the Ohaneze to attend the 2005 National Political Reform Conference in Abuja, and had been consulted severally on the lingering dispute that is currently tearing the organization. He was also responsible for the opening of the Biafran mission in the U.K during the 1967--70 Nigerian/Biafran war.

The life and times of this great Igbo son, a true bridge-builder, is worthy of special celebration by all sons and daughters of Igboland. The thoughts and prayers of all should, at this difficult moment, be with his family. Chief Ellah was reported to have died on the 23/4/08 at the age of 80 of what was believed to be natural causes. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Robot Robot is offline
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	# 1 Down the path of his honourable life, the virtues of doggedness, clear vision and ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot\| 28.04.2008 07:23

cdimkpa cdimkpa is offline
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	# 2 Didn't know that Francis Ellah has passed on. This is one of the few Nigerians I respected. May his soul RIP. Posted by cdimkpa\| 28.04.2008 08:03

Kelechi Kelechi is offline
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	# 3 With the likes of Senator Ellah as mentor, there is little surprise the Igbos in Rivers State are doing very well today. He indeed was a hero who refused to accept a different identity because of contrived geopolitics. Even in the face brutal marginalisation of Ndigbo he stuck to his beliefs and campaigned for cohesion among Igbos regardless of boundary. Ndigbo will indeed miss this unique and illustrious son. Sadly there is dearth of leaders to keep the flame alive! Posted by Kelechi\| 28.04.2008 12:39

b4best b4best is offline
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	# 4 =Robot;4295010940>Down the path of his honourable life, the virtues of doggedness, clear vision and ...Read the full article. Thanks so much for this article. I am completely in shock at this moment as I write this, given that I know him well. My grandfather and his father are from the same family in Omoku. I use to call him uncle Ellah, as a young girl. Gush, this is so painful. The last time I saw him alive was at my father's burial ceremony. He had walked in to greet my mother. He had on a red cap, with a traditional white shirt- still looking genteel as usual. I think I greeted him in my native dialect- given that before that day, I had not seen him in ages, and I didn’t think he would remember me again. He greeted me with a smile and nodded his head slightly as I bow in greetings. He was still looking well and even young for a man of seventy. I remember him fondly and will miss him so much. I had visited the family house at Old G.R.A in Port- Harcourt, so many times, and so many years ago. I was barely seventeen then... Him and his wife were really kind to me, and even treated me like a daughter. The last time I visited, he had played the piano for me- that’s after seating down to eat with him and his wife at the dinning table. I remember going home that day, to tell my mother that I had just dinned with Uncle Francis. She thought I was joking. But he was so fund of me- in fact, twice he had sent his driver to pick me up, after he learnt I came to the house, but missed them. I can still remember the song he played that day. It was "The Sound of Music.” I was so blown away, that, he could play so well. I remember visiting his lake as a young teenager in Omoku, when it just open. I watch as a teenager- men and women dancing- while the fishermen dive into the lake to catch cat fish with their hands. Two of his three sons were my buddy while growing up- I haven't seen them in ages. I am so, completely in shock of this news. I can't even breathe as I write this... When growing up, I thought, I will marry his kind. I mean, literally. I had always seen in him, qualities of the kind of man I will one day marry when I grow up. He always encouraged me to read my books, and wanted to teach me how to play the piano. His first and third son, were so kind to me. I am grateful though, for knowing his family- since he did live a very fine life. Yes, he was a man of a different kind, a rare breed. I am so proud to have known him. Posted by b4best\| 28.04.2008 16:17

Chekereke Chekereke is offline
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	# 5 One by one, the titans are passing on, but we do not have those to replace them! Sen F.J. Ellah will always be remembered for his steadfastness and sincerity. What shall we be remembered for? R.I.P Senator Ellah Posted by Chekereke\| 29.04.2008 08:12

Last Updated ( Monday, 28 April 2008 )

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