Aniocha North mourns as Ntanwu dies

By Patrick Ochei

For days now, the people of Aniocha North have been mourning one of their own, Interstate (Ntanwu), who slumped and died on Friday night of 26th August. He was a nice, hilarious official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Aniocha North Branch.
He was known for his usual way of calling passengers to board the Union's bus where works at the Lagos Park in Issele-Uku.

Late Ntanwu

Lagos travelers had always had to board vehicles at the Park because of the way and manner Ntanwu would convince them to board a bus at the Union's Lagos Park, usually shouting, "Ojuelegba oooo, Eko Idumuota oooo, etc."
Apart from being funny and clownish, Ntanwu was always dressed in the Union's uniform as a mark of respect and honour for the job he was doing. He was proud to be an 'Agbero', he was never embarrassed being called an 'Agbero'. This is a job he had done for decades, and it was dignifying for him so long he was not stealing.
Above all, he was a committed family man. He cared and fared for his family even in death. Even when his wife left him with about six children, he carried on with pride, becoming both a father and a mother to his children.
Ntanwu hailed from Ogbeowele Quarters of Issele-Uku, and until his death he had a history of peaceful coexistence with his kinsmen. Though he died a poor man; but he was one of those whose death was a big blow and whose presence would be greatly missed.
From the stable of the Union Chairman, Comrade Marshal Okwudili, the National Union would greatly miss Ntanwu for his diligence and commitment to duty.
Meanwhile, information has it that his body was deposited in mortuary, pending when the Union would release a date for his burial. The source had revealed that his burial is the responsibility of the National Union.
Until his burial, it remains a good bye to this Ogbeowele son who had traversed the length and breadth of this country, speaking at least four languages - Pidgin, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo. Even until his death, his mother tongue still fluctuated in his intonation. He was also known for catapult shooting. Adieu Ntanwu, the Omonla 1 of National Union.