The burial of Professor BIC Ijomah, first student’s union president of University of Nigeria, first vice chairman of National Union of Nigerian Students during the pre-independence days, witnesses dignitaries from all walks of life at Abo in Ndokwa East of Delta State.
The internment which witnessed unprecedented crowd and dignitaries, celebrated the life of an intellectual, community leader, educationist and philanthropist.
The Deputy President of Nigeria Senate, and political leader of APC in the South South, Dr Ovie Omo-Agege who physically honored the event, described Prof Ijomah as a father to all.
According to Senator Omo-Agege “A governor friend of mine commented that we celebrate death but I tried to explain to him that we don’t celebrate death but a life well lived, and we try to keep them by our side until such a time we are ready to let them go”
“Prof was our father and our political leader, and a friend of my father, who was a Chief Judge. Prof was always reminding me about Justice, Justice every time we discuss. I want to condole with you and your siblings and the people of Abo, Ndokwa East and the entire Delta State for this loss.”
He assured Hon Ebifa Ijomah that as member of the APC political family, he is not alone in this time of mourning, and assured of the support of the APC as elder brothers in the state.
The Governor of Delta State, Patrick Okowa was represented by Prof Patrick Muoboghare (Commissioner for Higher Education) described Prof Ijomah as a man whom he had rare privilege of interviewing few months to his death.
He described him as a good Christian and good manager of men and resources who put his people first above self. He assured the family of the ever ready support of Governor Okowa of Delta State.
The Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Prof Charles Arizechukwu Igwe in his speech describes Prof as the father of students’ unionism in University of Nigeria, and the first Chairman of UNN Alumni Association. Prof Igwe described late Prof Ijomah as an academia, intellectual, activist and devout Christian who ought for excellence all through his life.
Prof Igwe led other Vice Chancellors, Professors, and former Students Union Presidents of University of Nigeria in singing the University Anthem in honor of a worthy colleague.
A former students Union President in University of Nigeria in the early nineties and Director General of Igbo Mandate Congress, Rev Obinna Akukwe, descried Prof BIC Ijomah as a front-line activist who paved the way for robust activism within the students unionism especially when the military were harassing Nigerians.
The President Students Union Government UNN , Enugu Campus , Comrade Ugbuja Obinna Henry described Prof Ijomah as an epitome of intellectualism whose footsteps in University of Nigeria we are following.
The Secretary General SUG UNEC Comrade Oluchukwu Valentine Uchenna said that they also learnt dialogue first before protest from Prof.
The Director of Transport SUG UNEC Chukwu Obaji Ikenna said that they are still imitating Prof Ijomah’s welfarist system which he introduced into students activism even in UNN.
Hon Ossai Ossai ( Ndokwa , Ukwuani Federal Constituency), Hon Chika Ossai (Commissioner for Lands and Surveys and. Urban Development) Chief Godswill Obielum are among top politicians in the state who witnessed the internment.
Prof BIC Ijomah was a Professor of Sociology and Anthropology in University of Nigeria and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. He has served in various capacities in government and was an adviser to late General Sanni Abacha. He is survived by his spouse and successful children.
The University of Nigeria has a B.I.C Ijomah Centre for Policy Studies and Research dedicated to his effort in the field of sociological and anthropological research.
He is survived by experts in various endeavors including Emmanuel, Azuka, Obiosa, Nwachukwu, Ebifa, Emeka, Nwanyiuzor, Nneka, Eziafa,Ogugua, Uju, Christabell, Rita
