Alex OttI, governor of Abia State, has asserted that it is more rewarding to celebrate people while they are alive than at death.
Governor Otti stated this during the 75th birthday celebration of Chika Chukwunonso Okpala, A.K.A Chief Zebrudaya Okoro Igwe Nwogbo Alias 4:30, of New Masquerade, a famous NTA comedy series, by the Abia State Government at Government House, Umuahia.
Okpala is a Nigerian actor, comedian, and veteran in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
He was popularly known as Chief Zebrudaya, a nickname he got from his role in New Masquerade, a TV comedy series, which aired from the early 1970s and 80s.
Governor Otti described Okpala as an icon who made his mark in the early days, pretending to be an old man.
“So, why are we doing this? This is not the first time that we are celebrating our people. This government celebrates excellence. We celebrate people who have added value to the society.
“It is in our DNA to celebrate our people. We believe it is more rewarding to celebrate people when they are still alive,” GovernorOtti said.
While eulogizing Chief Zebrudaya, he thanked him for the pioneering role he played immediately after the civil war through the New Masquerade TV series, for bringing Igboland to the limelight, and for comically redefining and inventing his own English language, thereby bringing joy and happiness to homes.
“Thank you for that pioneering role you played immediately after the civil war. Many people in the room may have been too young at that time, but at least, must have heard. Others may not have been born, but may have heard.
“It is what he and his crew bequeathed to the younger generation that gave rise to the big industry today called Nollywood. A lot of people may not remember that what you have as Nollywood today started in Pound Road, Aba,” he added.
He regretted that people had lost most of those things that started from Igbo land, amid hope of restoration, while announcing a plan by his administration to build an entertainment village.
“We have in our programme a plan to build an entertainment village and new Abia Stadium City.
Some people said that it is a big dream, but then we must dream. And, if you don’t dream, you are dead. So, today we have a site for the Abia State Stadium City. We have a site for the Abia Medical Village. We have started construction for the Abia Airport, the runway is currently being built,” Otti said.
The governor vowed that nothing would stop the realization of the dreams, while reechoing the well-established stance of his administration on the origin of birth. “As long as you live and work or have anything to do for the state, you are from the state”.
While declaring that Chief Zebrudaya had been adopted as an Abia man, Otti revealed that the “New Masquerade started from NTA Channel 6 in Aba and was exported to the rest of the world. So, great things happened here.”
He explained that the problem of the world is not money but a lack of ideas, stressing that money follows good ideas and also thanked everyone who came around to join him in celebrating Chief Zebrudaya Okoro Igwe Nwogbo Alias 4:30.
Otti revealed that he came in contact with Davies Ofor, A.K.A Clarius Mgbojikwe (one of the prominent characters in the New Masquerade), through his daughter, Ola Davies Ofor in 1995/96, who wrote a script and came to his office in his previous life as a banker.
“After looking at the script, decided to sponsor it and produced a movie called “Abused,” which was rated as the most expensive movie in Nigeria at that time, staring famous Nollywood stars like Kenneth Okonkwo and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, among others”Otti revealed.
To the joy and applauds from the crowd, Governor Otti announced that a friend of his and an Abia son who was following the event online and was so excited seeing Clarius and Zebrudaya, said that he would be gifting N5 million to Clarius and N10 million to Zebrudaya.
The governor further disclosed that Paulson Kalu, veteran musician, who would be turning 80 later this year, Uma Eleazu, and his wife, who would equally be turning 95 and 85 years old, respectively, later this year, would also be celebrated.
Okpala, the celebrant, earlier in his speech, expressed his profound gratitude to Governor Otti and the Abia State Government for celebrating him.
He disclosed that he reached out to all governments in the South-East to help him mark his 75th birthday and Governor Otti was the first to respond.
He disclosed that whatever he realized from his birthday celebration would be dedicated to supporting fellow artists who are now incapacitated.
He further said that what Governor Otti had done for him would give other artistes hope that one day, they would be celebrated as the Abia State Government celebrated him.
He stressed that artistes in Nigeria are hardly celebrated and called on other state governments and Nigerians to emulate what Governor Otti had done by celebrating those who had made impact on the society while they are still living.
He added that, if he dies today, he would feel fulfilled and thanked God that he was being celebrated while alive.
Chief Zebrudaya Okoro Igwe Nwogbo Alias 4:30 disclosed that the New Masquerade was a creation of the late James Iroha, a.k.a Giringori Akabogu, who hailed from Abia State, contrary to belief that he was the creator.
The 75th birthday celebration featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN)/Nollywood, who commended Governor Otti for leading the way in celebrating artistes and those who have impacted the society, special music interlude, book launch, unveiling and review, screening of an episode of the New Masquerade, cutting of birthday cake and other activities marking the event.
