BY SUNNY A. DAVID
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has explained his father’s extraordinary family, revealing that Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu took over 30 wives and fathered 108 children as a response to the intimidation he suffered in his community.
The Governor says some wives were later dismissed for failing to bear children, leaving 19.
However, only 19 of them are currently with him with 108 children, while 21 of the children including Governor Nwifuru are graduates.
He said his father got rich unannounced through his hardwork as a notable farmer which made members of his Agbaja community to envy him, intimidate him and humiliate him.
Governor Nwifuru stated this at the weekend during the coronation of his father as the traditional ruler of the newly created Oferekpe Agbaja autonomous community.
The Community which has 17 villages, was created this year through the law passed by the State House of Assembly. It was carved from Agbaja community.
The coronation attracted former Governors of the State, Sam Egwu, Martin Elechi and David Umahi as well as other stakeholders of the State.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, the Governor, described his father as a hard-working man, noting that his father was humiliated by his relatives, neighborhoods, and the entire community as he was excelling above his equals.
This, according to Governor Nwifuru, earned his father loneliness till he began to marry wives, to be his companions and helping hands in pursuit of his dreams.
Mr. Nwifuru further described his father as a hospitable man who loves his wives, children, relatives, and neighbors, adding that currently, 21 out of his children have become graduates.
“My father’s decision to marry many wives was influenced by the intimidation and humiliation he endured from villagers in his quest for greatness,” the Governor stated.
Governor Nwifuru urged his father to use his position to foster peace, equity, and justice within the community and never to use the position to revolt against those who might have erred him in the past.
“Do not use this revered position to seek revenge or perpetuate injustice… rather, let it be a symbol of unity, fairness, and service to humanity,” he advised.
