Candidate of heavenly Jerusalem

During Senator John McCain’s funeral in Washington DC, his friend Senator Joe Lieberman delivered a moving eulogy of a man he described as principled, who lived for a cause greater than his life.

McCain and Lieberman shared a common vision of Jerusalem which they often visited and like many people likened to the heavenly Jerusalem; it was the shining city on a hill. a holy and historic city, a visionary symbol all people share of the heavenly Jerusalem representing the destiny and hope of all believers in Christ, the desire of all people.

Again after reading Samuel Johnson’s Rasselas, the Prince of Abyssinia, I got to know the 18th century author was trying to raise money to give his mother a befitting burial. The novel and the issues of life it provoked were one in which mankind is perpetually in search of the ideal life where a prince tired of his palatal opulence, desires to be a shepherd while he man living in a mansion wakes up and wants the life of a tramp.

Between Liebermann’s Jerusalem and Rasselas representing the wavering cravings of earthly man, I met a man, my father in-law who was a representative symbol of the heavenly Jerusalem, a disciple of Christ content and defined by his heavenly journey.

A prince and a king at different times, Isaac Okwara Onoh, borrowing from Lieberman and Obama, lived a principled life, fought a cause greater than himself and has no doubt earned a home in heavenly Jerusalem.

We can only remember him now by all that he did. Papa’s pet name for me was Ndee and he had such names for everyone down to the great grand kids.. He was always grateful to God for rewarding him with good health, a strength and schedule that kept him busy and focused. He had an answer and advice for every given situation. He once stated what sounded like the obvious. If you have opted to be self employed, learn to save because you are nowtraditionally unlike a man on paid employment.

During my traditional wedding, he took me to where the elderly women were seated reminding me these women now tired and worn out, were once the beauty of the land, doted and pampered by their beloved husbands. The message sank, Papa updated his diary every morning after breakfast. His visitors came and went and his time was strictly allocated for every given situation. There were no idle moments. He took time to craft birthday letters and cards for his children, reminding them of the uniqueness of their births and the progression that has followed their growth over the years.

When Mama was admitted at UNTH Enugu , Papa was there with her for the several weeks she stayed under the supervision of Prrof Aghadi, the celebrated cardiologist. I had arrived Enugu very early in the morning and saw him by her side. Apparently he kept vigil in the hospital as the situation demanded and it happens so often he did not return to his temporary home in the city.

They both relocated to Rev Dr and Dr Oluchi Torty Onoh’s home, the University of Nigeria (UNN) manse as Mama .was convalescing. The Aro Centenary preparation was on going. Papa and Prof .Ijeoma who taught History at the UNN, gratefully granted me an interview on Aros, their history-yesterday, today and tomorrow.

On reflection, I believe the columnist of Omu Aro newspaper could have qualified to be a visiting or guest lecturer of any university in Nigeria or overseas given his numerous lectures, writings and knowledge as well as publications. That road was not taken. My interview with Papa and Professor Ijeoma, the Eze Aro, Eze Ibom Isii and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, formed part of The Guardian newspaper pull out for.the centenary. It was huge and celebrated in the newsroom though the search for the location of Ibn Ukpabi, the powerful Aro deity’s shrine, .proved abortive. The reward was an expose of a potential Aro museum for posterity.

In all this, Papa was robustly involved telling his massaging stories of the great Aro slave trade, the .routes and the activity of the church missionaries against fetish traditions in minute details.

Before now, after ascending the throne of his forefathers as Ezeogo XIII. of Agbagwu, I sat him down for a full page interview with ‘The Guardian and he took me to his early beginnings, a journey into the past, the beautiful and the rough patches of an adventure series. I learnt about the past Ezeogos and Agbagwu as a kindred whose journey from the anals of oral history is well documented. He also passes as an archivist, and documenter in Aro-ontology. Apparently Papa’s father was .an ordained missionary partly fired by Mary Slessor’s works in the Lower Niger. I was not privileged to be told the love life between Mama and Papa. I had the opportunity to ask somehow it did not happen. But Papa and Mama were love birds who loved travelling together except for those obvious moments of ‘Onoh on Tour,’ a phrase coined to describe Papa’s active moments as a health inspector.

Mama and Papa’s 40th wedding anniversary was celebrated with the pomp it deserved. Again. It was in a manse at the Duke Town Presbyterian Church where Rev Torty

Onoh resided as the minister in charge. A video documentary was part of the evening’s celebration giving cause for joy.

Their most cherished moments were witnessing the wedding of their children and the arrival of the next generation of the dynasty.

Papa and Mama were together in Port Harcourt-the home of Elder Onoh and Elder Mrs Nene Onoh as she witnessed the gradual withering of the evening of her life. Back to Agbagwu, Mama lay on Papa’s laps as she bade him good night.

Indeed the God on the mountain was their God in the valley.

The way Papa took care of Mama backed by his children was the way Papa was taken care of in his closing chapters. He was famously quoted as saying he .built Seven Houses when a curious interloper wanted to know his property spread as a mark of success.

Yes his seven investments from. Elder Onoh Onoh, late Rev. Agamnetochi Onoh down to Princess (Dr) Nnennaya Onoh, Deaconess Ugonma Nduka-Nwosu, Elder Okoroji Onoh,. Rev Torty Onoh and Ojukwu Onoh.

And with their wives and husbands, Elder Nene Onoh, Elder .Ugo Onoh, Deacon Nduka Nwosu whom he called ‘my beloved son in whom I am well pleased,’ Rev Zinny Onoh, Dr.Oluchi Onoh, grand .children and great grandchildren.

After that memorable slip in the midst of. Covid and while on active service, nature gave its .subtle hint. Papa took .each day .gladly as it came, often reminding all that his joy .was his .good health from his creator even in old age.

We were all .surprised when Papa’s .skin bloomed like .that of an unfolding toddler. His boarding pass, his spiritual flesh had been.delivered.

He never suffered any one gladly. Thrice he called a meeting to discuss his exit, thanking all for taking care of him.

In the words of the Christian hymn: Papa is only remembered now by what he has done.