Pains of Separation: Longest serving Anambra monarch dies, wife follows

The Umuezawala community in the Ihiala local Government Area of Anambra state has been thrown into mourning following the death of their traditional ruler, Ogbuefi James Chukwudolue and his wife, Janet in quick succession.

It was gathered that late Janet, who was too close to the king, could not bear the pains of the separation died a few days after.

Having mounted the saddle of his community in 1964, Ogbuefi Chukwudolue was said to be one of the longest serving traditional rulers in Anambra state.

In a statement by his son, Okey Chukwudolue , he said the king and his wife would be buried the same day in memory of the love they exhibited in their life time.

The statement read in part, “The remains of one of the longest serving traditional rulers in Igbo land, Chief James Agukwu Chukwudolue and his wife, Lolo Janet Chukwudolue will be committed to mother earth the same day.

“Chief Chukwudolue was for 55 years the traditional ruler of Umuezawala, Ihiala in Ihiala local Government Area of Anambra state.

He was arguably the longest serving traditional ruler in Anambra state, having mounted the throne as Ogbuehi of Umuezawala in 1964.

“Ogbuehi Chukwudolue died at the age of 89 after a brief illness; his wife, Janet, who apparently could not bear the pains of the separation followed a few days after.

He said the three-day burial activities of their patriarch and matriarch would be heralded by the beating of the traditional uhio music to announce their transition to eternity while the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi diocese, Bishop Hilary Okeke would preside over the burial service.