The setting was the Unity Hall, a moment of great expectation for pilgrims, each quietly holding their different hopes. Then, the clear voice of Senior Apostle Sylvanus Okorote sounded a crucial instruction: “On this pilgrimage, you are expected to have a partner. Throughout the journey, you must always stay by your partner and, of course, you will share a room with your partner.”
It was then that Hon. Aneke Ifemeni, an elder on the trip, beckoned to me, saying, “Egugbo, you are my partner on this journey.” This was how I got to stay closer with Hon. Ifemeni.
For more than a week during the pilgrimage to Israel, we stayed in constant proximity, discussing everything from family and business to the draining nature of politics.
In every conversation, his belief was clear: the word “impossible” did not exist in his lexicon. He was intensely spiritual during the trip, active in all ceremonies, and often insisted on me; the unofficial photographer with a trusty iPad, documenting every spiritual, historical, and social site.
Much of this experience is chronicled in my book, The Experience.
The remains of Hon. Aneke Ifemeni were laid to rest last Saturday at his country home in Onicha-Ukwuani, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State. Like any truly great and impactful man, opinions about him varied: some saw a good man, others a complicated one, but all acknowledged that he lived a life that profoundly made its presence felt.
Before his political career, Ifemeni was a reputed high-flying businessman. His office complex, the imposing Ifemod House on Allen Avenue in Ikeja, Lagos, stood as a testament to his success. He was a force in the Nigerian entertainment scene, having managed several musicians, and notably serving as the Nigerian Manager for the Makossa music maestro, Kofi Olomide.
He entered the political limelight in 1991, shortly after the creation of Delta State from the defunct Bendel State, contesting for the Delta State House of Assembly with a distinct, grassroots-oriented campaign style. While many roads in Ndokwa remain earth roads to this day, Hon. Ifemeni rolled out bulldozers, opening up vital link roads to communities. His electrifying campaign was not just intimidating; it was effective. He won the election and went on to emerge as the first Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly.
Hon. Ifemeni never truly accepted defeat. He was relentless, applying all means to achieve his desired political results, holding several appointments over the decades. However, a new chapter opened when former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa appointed him as Special Assistant on Agricultural Matters. It was here that Ifemeni found his most distinct and proud identity: advocating for the cultivation of coconut.
His zeal was so infectious that in some circles, he became affectionately known as “Mr. Coconut.”
This passion did not wane. When Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori took office, he appointed Ifemeni as his Senior Special Assistant on Agricultural Matters, a role that further reinvigorated his mission to transform Delta into a coconut hub.
He was not just an advocate; he was a proud farmer, once noting the Delta soil’s suitability for rice, which led him to own a rice farm, a mill, and rice packaged under his own name.
Hon. Ifemeni was also known as a true friend of the press, flowing naturally with journalists and a frequent face on television and radio programmes.
The news of his death was met with unusual silence, particularly within political circles. He was buried on Saturday at his country home, a house whose location, was a testament to his trailblazing nature. As a great mobilizer and a controversial-yet-natural politician, even his death was shrouded in a sense of mystery for many.
The funeral ceremony was thronged by family members, admirers, critics, and the political establishment he served. Among the familiar faces were his close friends, Hon. Chugabby Onwuka and Mr. Uju Udeme.
The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, led the government delegation, accompanied by Hon. Charles Emetulu and former members of the Delta State House of Assembly, including former Speaker Hon. Emma Okoro, Hon. Kris Njiokwuemeni, and Hon. Akpdiogaga Emeyese.
In his tribute, Deputy Governor Onyeme said, “We recognize and eternally appreciate his indelible contributions, particularly his historic role as the first Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly.
“Chief Ifemeni’s wisdom and dedication to the upliftment of our community and our state will be greatly missed.”
Elder statesman, Rear Admiral Mike Onah, OON (rtd), who took Hon. Ifemeni as a son, spoke passionately about the deceased.
From the burial site to the reception venue, the ceremony was peaceful, leaving many in a pensive mood, reflecting on the life of a great man and the inevitability of their own mortality.
Hon. Aneke Ifemeni, popularly addressed as Ezeadiebuo or Ogbuiji, lived his life fully and died at the age of 65.
Though death is an appointment all mortals must keep, his memory will long remain with those he influenced—for better or worse.
May the soul of Hon. Aneke Ifemeni and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
The writer, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, is the Senior Special Assistant, Media to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme.
