By Kennedy Mbele

Amudo, a serene community in Ebonyi State, was recently brought to the global limelight as the entire world watched, with apt attention, the elaborate burial ceremony of the late Chief Stephen Orogwu Nwebor, father of High Chief Peter Chibuike Orogwu, popularly known as Odumba Worldwide, who died at 92.

The event, aptly described as a celebration of life, was indeed a gathering of who is who in Nigeria, particularly from the South-East. Ebonyi State Governor, His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, his predecessor, Hon. Minister of Works, Engineer Dave Nweze Umahi, a former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, oil mogul/philanthropist, Engineer Arthur Eze, senator representing Ebonyi Central, Engr. Kenneth Emeka Eze, and senator representing Ebonyi North, Onyeebuchi Nwebonyi, were there to grace the occasion. Other VIPs at the event included renowned business tycoon/socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, CEO Enviable Group, Chief Ituma Chkwuemeka – Enviable, Founder, Ugota Group, Dr. Darlington Ugota, 2023 PDP gubernatorial candidate in the state, Chief Ifeanyi Odii, Architect Christian Asaga, Royal fathers, Ezza Elites; a highly respected social group in the area, celebrities too numerous to mention, over 8 prominent gospel music singers including: The Lamb, Chioma Jesus, Gozie Okeke, Apostolic Administrator, Catholic   Diocese of Abalakiki, Most Rev. Ernest Anaezichukwu Obodo, alongside no fewer than 40 Catholic priests. Needless adding that the serene Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, contained almost thrice its capacity as private jets of various makes, sizes and capacities   landed almost every 10 minutes, especially on the day of the event.

Nwebor, aka Super, father of 12, including the liquor magnate, High Chief Peter Chibuike Orogwu, aka Odumba Worldwide, whose acquaintances describe as a chip of the old block, was born in 1933 into the family of the late Mr. Nwebor Alo and the late Mrs Maria Alegu Nwebor of Amokpu kindred in Anumaocha Amudo, Ezza South Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

He was baptized in the Catholic Church and remained a devoted Catholic throughout his journey on earth. His parents had seven children; six boys and one girl. Like his siblings, Super, who was the fourth child in the family, did not attain formal education. He was a hardworking man who believed and practiced prayer with hard work. He traded in items such as fertilizer, wrappers, medicine, etc.

He was known for his ability to attract and retain customers’ attention through energetic promotional shows.

During such shows, young Super would display his physical strength by lifting up heavy objects with one hand, effortlessly; an exercise that earned him the accolade Super Power, ‘Super’ for short.

When he took to transportation, where he became a household name in the 1970s, he became very popular in the entire Eastern Region; Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Imo, and even Cross Rivers as well as Akwa Ibom States.

His hard work, perseverance and uncommon strength earned him a lot of respect in the sector, region and environs.

Nwebor married Mrs Elizabeth Nwebor from the family of   Mr Nwafor Igwe and Mrs Nweke Nwafor (now late) of Umu Anyigor family in Ezzama community, Ezza South LGA but lived in Amakporo Village, Onicha Igboeze Onicha LGA, Ebonyi State.

Their marriage was blessed with 12 children: six boys and six girls, among whom is High Chief Peter Chibuike Orogwu, aka Odumba Worldwide.  

He was also blessed with grandchildren, great grandchildren and wonderful in-laws, including one of the most vibrant politicians in the area, Honourable Abraham Ome Chukwu.

Super was a fearless and courageous man who loved and protected his community with all he had. He never allowed thieves to operate in Amudo. On one occasion, while pursuing thieves, he was shot, yet he continued the chase until he caught them, disarmed them and handed them over to the appropriate authorities.

On another incident, men of the underworld tried to snatch his vehicle from him, he resisted them and struggled with them until they fled the scene. His bravery which defied local comparison earned him the title “Ebube Dike 1 of Ezeta Ugbala Kingdom” – the glory of a hero or a strongman; a title he cherished and guarded jealously.

Chief Stephen Orogwu Nwebor played major leadership roles in Amudo Community. He was the first Town Union President of his community, as well as the Pioneer Chairman of the highly esteemed   Amudo Vigilante Group; a vibrant security team that was known throughout the old Anambra State and beyond. Till date, Amudo community is still enjoying the achievements of this group, particularly in the area of peace, security and conflict resolution. He also worked tirelessly for the economic development of the community. To be more precise, he introduced the popular National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, into the community,  thereby creating orderliness in the ever rowdy motor parks in the area. Again, Super was very instrumental in bringing the first rice milling machine into the community. This enabled rice produced in Amudo and environs to be fully processed within the community, a fit that empowered farmers in the area.

In sports, Super was a great wrestler whose back never touched the ground. ‘Oka mgba’ (the greatest wrestler) Azu eru ali (One whose back never touches the ground) and of course, Amalanze the cat were some of his enviable titles bestowed on him by Amudo, Ezeta Ugbala Kingdom, as a result of his unequalled wrestling ability. Needless adding that many feared challenging him because of his antecedent.

Be that as it may, this writer recalls   watching Super Nwebor in action on one occasion: Amudo’s 1980 New Yam Festival; an annual event that features young men of 8 and above engage in wrestling competition at the community playground. That day, Super was the referee. As a great wrestler, he was always entrusted with the responsibility of managing the exercise and ensuring that no wrestler throws his opponent hard on the floor.

It was already getting to evening that day when a short man, later identified as a great wrestler from Afikpo, walked into the arena and challenged ‘almighty’ Super to come and wrestle with him. Super quietly conferred with his assistant referee who agreed that he takes up the challenge on the ground that he would observe the rules religiously – not to throw his opponent hard on the floor.

As the drums beat, the arena was cleared for the duo, the air charged as observers chanted various motivating songs.The Afikpo man was already at the centre of the playground waiting for Super who shifted to a corner to roll up his trousers and probably remove his shoes. As soon as Super returned to his opponent, he seized the man’s hand with his right hand. For over 2 minutes that was like eternity, efforts by the man to release himself cut no ice until Super let go of him and headed to the drummers where he signalled them to raise the tempo of the drum beat. With the tempo raised, Super took a few dancing steps and quickly returned to his opponent. Hardly had Super held the man’s hand tight, when the man knelt down. “The game is over” announced the referee”. The Afikpo man was surprised when he was told that he had lost the game by kneeling down. He said he didn’t know that was the rule of the game and pleaded with the referee to allow them continue. The referee agreed and ordered them back to the arena. Engaging each other fiercely, Super again, grabbed the man’s hand, he tried to kneel down again but Super quickly pulled him towards self, lifted him up with one hand, placed him on his shoulder and danced to the drummers while the referee ran after him, helplessly. Throughout the exercise, Super used only his right hand. At that point, a great woman, Mrs Christiana Okwuru, danced graciously to Ebube Dike 1, pulled out a giant can of powder and emptied it on his body.That was perhaps his last wrestling, about 46 years ago.

Politically, Super was a member of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, where he maintained his status as an elder.

As a devoted Catholic, he served God faithfully and expectedly, when his health deteriorated, the Parish Priest, St Pauls Catholic Parish Amudo, Rev. Fr. Solomon Nwankwo, administered on him, the last sacrament in line with Catholic faith on November 1, 2025; a date Catholics celebrate the feast of All Saints. The following day, November 2, also observed as the feast of All Souls, Great Super reluctantly but respectfully answered his creator. Till date, many see this rare coincident as very symbolic.

Indeed, Ebube Dike 1 was a great man; strong, courageous, and deeply committed to his faith, family, and community.

Amudo community will always remember him for his unparalleled strength, good leadership style, love for his people, as well as unwavering courage and commitment.

An elder in the community who preferred anonymity described Super as a freedom fighter, explaining that the community is determined to uphold his enviable legacies even as they pray to God for more of such a man and his illustrious son, IamBabyOku, the man who sent tongues wagging across the globe when he raised burial activities to the proverbial Olympian height, particularly as his father’s gasket reportedly gulped a whopping N150m.