Osita Agwuna
no
1951 – Osita Agwuna (December 22, 1921 – 2007) Eze of Enugu-Ukwu (1958 -2007)and Igwe of Umunri (1960 -2007)
In the 1940s, Osita Agwuna was an anti colonial activist and under the leadership of Malam Habib Raji Abdallah, he was deputy president of the Zikist Movement.
The Zikist movement was as a radical political group founded in February 1946 by young enthusiastic Nigerian nationalists. They opposed colonial rule and urged concerted action to overcome colonialism.
Most of these youths did not benefit financially, all they wanted was a united and independent Nigeria.
On October 27th 1948 Osita Agwuna along with Oged Macaualy (son of Herbert Macaualy) Anthony Enaharo, F.U Anyiam, and H.R Abdallah (Pres. Of Zikiest movement) took part in a meeting were Osita Agwuna gave a lecture “A Call For Revolution”
Malam Habib Raji Abdallah (President of the Zikiest Movement) also gave a speech stating that they declared them selves free citizens of Nigeria holding no allegiance to any foreign government, bound by no law except native law and the law of nations – most importantly Nigerians were urged not to pay taxes to a foreign government, stating “you pay, they use that money to perpetuate their domination over you”
Soon after that meeting they were arrested for sedition. Agwuna was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment;
Oged Macaulay and F.U Anyiam received a year each;
H.R Abdallah 2 years;
Enahoro received 6 months
Agwuna would later become the Eze of Enugu Ukwu, in 1958 and later Igwe of Umunri in 1960.
He established Obu Ofo Nri Museum as a repository of the cultural heritage of Enugu-Ukwu and other Nigerian communities.The museum was established before the Civil War and parts of it was destroyed during the war.
Photo – After his release from prison. He is shown here on the day he delivered a sermon at the National Church of Nigeria – Aba 1951
