BRIEF FAMIY BACKGROUND OF CHIEF G C O AFIAWARI

BRIEF FAMIY BACKGROUND OF CHIEF G C O AFIAWARI

 

FAMILY HISTORY IN BRIEF 1

Chief GCO Afiawari was born into the family of Chief P A Afiawari the don. Chief P A Afiawari was a man who loved the things of this life and he lived it. He had eighteen wives, several concubines and many servants and slaves to attend him in his daily ministrations.

He acquired land properties large enough to constitute villages of their own. He would do anything possible to ensure the safety and prosperity of his descendants unborn. When his first son was born he named him Governor chuks oyema Afiawari in anticipation that he would rule over the estate he was creating.

FAMILY HISTORY IN BRIEF 2

HE migrated from Udoni where he was the king to Ase and immediately became the Agwuamanoyia of Ase. With these dual offices he became the custodian of the traditions and customs of these lamds. Since it was not uncommon for men of such standings in those days to involve in riyuals to protect their estate, this Chief created his own gods and should his protégés adhere to his principles, prosperity and long life would be theirs but should they do otherwise then they were creating problems for themselves as these gods would do everything possible to frustrate their effort. The man died in the year 1944.

FAMILY HISTORY IN BRIEF 3

Chief GCO A fiawari was inclined to his father’s style of living. He did not follow his principles either. He left home and travelled to many distant lands and finally settled down in Benin City. He attended the C & s movement church and became Senior Apostle emeritus.

He gave much time to praying and meditating.

By the time he returned back home, and haven been persuaded by one of his sons the Reverend Father Chuks Afiawari, he converted to the catholic church but still retained his Pentecostal beliefs as he had been thouroughly briefed with materials from one of his sons who takes delight in the things of the after life.

FAMILY HISTORY IN BRIEF 4

Chief GCO Afiawari had three wives and seventeen chilgren. The first child is Chief Ambrose Afiawari the Don. A more comprehensive biography of the Afiawari’s can be found in the history book written by Emmanuel Afiawari as he heard from the lips of Chief GCO Afiawari himself.

He lived a successful life. He fought many battles with the forces of darkness and triumphed over then all gloriously. He finally departed this sphere of existence at the ripe age of 108yrs. Although he requested that neither traditional rights nor fanfare should be given to him, the people amongst whom he dwelt respected the traditional rights request but used much fanfare to celebrate the burial of their Agwuamanoyia as different groups from surrounding towns and far and wide came to bade their final farewell to the man whom they all loved. God bless us all.

 

                                                         NO TO IDOLATRY

The congregants were in a joyous mood. This was their day and they were ready to celebrate it to the maximum. Everyone was expected to participate. No exemptions whatsoever was allowed. The items to be used had already being prepared. These consists mainly of foodstuff and life poultry and ruminant animals to be offered in the yearly sacrifices they perform to the spirits that dwell in the River Ase.

It is believed that in exchange the gods of the river will shower blessings of prosperity, protestion and long life on all of them. The officiating priest arrives and the people formed a procession to the river. The ceremonies haven been performed, they returned back home for the all night feasting that was bound to ensue.

NO TO IDOLATRY 2

Chief Governor Chuks Oyeama Afiawari haven retired from his office in the city for some years decided it was time to go back home and dwell among his own people. On arrival he was immediately installed as the AGWUAMANONYA AFIAWARI OF ASE. This position as well as being the King of the Udoni’s had been left for a very long time by his father the elderly Afiawari.

As the Agwuamanonya he was the king maker of Ase, the regent and the custodian of the ancient customs and traditions of the people. He determines the dates for activities to occur and provides leadership and direction for them.

NO TO IDOLATRY 3

Sitting in his house he watched the people come in and after the customary salutations, they presented the object of their quest; He should fix and announce the date for the yearly sacrifice to the water gods.

“There will be no such thing this year and henceforth” he announced.

“What?” the exclaimed greatly astonished.

“Yes, when I was not around you people worshipped as you choose but now henceforth there will be the worship of only one GOD, the one who haven created the earth now reigns in glory in the celestial sphere.

NO TO IDOLATRY 4

 

There are very many churches in this land, each of you should choose the one that suits his style and worship there, but as for idolatry, there will no longer be such thing. The waters of the river has been given to us to use for both domestic and commercial activities and should remain so. We will not worship any spirit of any sort again.” He finalized.

Though not fully convinced the people left but decided to trust in the wisdom of their Agwuamanonya for he was more intelligent and older than them all. Each man went and began to worship the LORD GOD ALMIGTY as they knew how best to do it. So great was the change that no native doctor or voodoo priest remained in the town.

NO TO IDOLATRY 5

Now the spirits that control the rivers of Ase are very malevolent. No one despoils them of their sacrifices with impunity. Without delay they began theyr attacks. Once given permission to Satan to try a man, he can easily turn the world’s greatest man to the world’s most miserable.

So from one trial to another they continued their onslaught against the Chief GCO Afiawari. Being made to experience that which normally a man of his status shouldn’t pass through, the man continued to follow the enlightens he had received from on high. Had he wanted he could easily have compromised but he thought it better to suffer reproach for Christ than to glory in the riches and pleasures this world.

NO TO IDOLATRY 6

In return for this faithfulness the Lord God Almighty gave him precious gifts that the world cannot give. He outlived all his brothers and peers despite the fact that many of these joined secret cults for long life and prosperity. He was taken away from this earth at the age of 108 years.

In the later stages of his life though he was above 100 years he was still very strong and moved about without walking sticks and eyes been keen as ever he would visit his church members ministering to their every need, yet he was not a pastor.

NO TO IDOLATRY 7.

Those who are sick he simply prays for them and in most cases they get well. Those who needed anything he provides for them from his own resources. Above all these, he started receiving visits from angelic beings who tells him of things to come.

He informed his children that one day he would send for them all and they must come to him. After that two years later he would pass on to the spheres where spirits dwell. It was done exactly as he predicted. He passed on at the ripe age of 108 years. To God be the glory.