By Uche Chukwu, Awka
The Chairman of Odumma Awka and Otu Ndi Akajiofo Awka, (Awka Traditional Priests), Tochukwu Nwosu has claimed that two notable blacksmiths from Awka were instrumental to the fabrication of Buckingham Palace gate.
He said the two blacksmiths were Sir John Uzoka and Sir David Nwume both of Agulu quarters, Awka. He disclosed that the gate was located within Borough of West Minster, London, England.
Nwokoye observed that the ingenuity of the duo of Nwume and Uzoka was discovered by the then Principal of St. Paul’s College, Awka, Rev. George Basden who recommended them to participate in an exhibition in Wembley, London, England in 1905.
He contended that his kinsmen who participated in the London exhibition created the Buckingham Palace gate, a task he hinted was given to Broomgroove Guild of Applied Arts to design.
Uzoka died in I938, ten years after Nwume’s death and both were recognized and honoured with the British highest award of Member of British Empire (MBE).
He spoke to newsmen in Awka in a pre-Ukwu feast to celebrate homecoming of traveling Awka blacksmiths who sojourned across Southern Nigeria and parts of present North central zone of Nigeria to ply their trade home to thank and honour Ukwu god and ancestors for journey mercies.
Nwokoye lamented that the decline in the celebration of Ukwu feast was informed by “under cover” politics of keeping Awka blacksmiths and Igbo technology ingenuity down.
He said this was coming on the heels of unprecedented successful production and effective deployment of Ogbunigwe mass killer bomb during the 1967 – 1970 Nigeria-Biafra War.
Nwokoye contended that the fear of international super- powers and federal government is that Awka blacksmiths could be the cluster hub for developing Ogbunigwe .
He cited the case of anti-Awka sentiment expressed with the coming of a colonial military man, Major Moorehouse who came to Awka on invitation of Agulu quarter to support it quell attacks by Amikwo quarter both of Awka, resulting in the imposition of British Rule on January 5, I905 when Wayling, a Briton became first Distinct Officer
According to him, Major Moorehouse ordered Awka people to surrender all forms of guns weapons and ammunition used in the Amikwo – Agulu war and destroyed them at Oye Nwa Ofufe market square, a native market in Umuogbu village, Awka.
The Akajiofo Ngene Agu Umudioka noted that the colonial administration came with guns for gun boat expedition on one hand while Christian missionaries came with the Bible for evangelization on the other hand.
He said they subjugated Awka on- Igbo African to brutal force, coercion and
forceful acceptance of Christian religious faith. He said this led to watering down of traditional religious influence and erosion of traditional values.
