Onuoha, Otum

Elder Otum Onuoha was born around 1875 in Elu Ohafia, in Abia State, Nigeria, to Nna Onuoha Mba, his father, and Nne Ole Obuolo, his mother. He married Mrs. Grace Eke Uwa.

Otum attended adult education classes where he learned how to read the Igbo Bible. He was converted to Christianity by the early Church of Scotland missionaries who came to Ohafia in 1911. He later became their interpreter and was ordained as the first elder in Ohafia in 1917.

Elder Otum started the church in his compound in Obu Ndi Imaga in Elu Ohafia. He served as a church elder for about 40 years in his hometown, Elu Ohafia. He preached vigorously against the killing of twins and the ill-treatment of their mothers. He fearlessly campaigned against the worship of idols and the inhuman practice of head-hunting. The church he started has won many converts and still stands today. Elder Otum is still remembered and respected as a faithful Christian leader who endured many insults and abuses from pagan chiefs in his effort to spread the gospel among his people in Ohafia, in Abia State, Nigeria.

Emele Mba Uka

Sources:

Oral interview with Elder Kalu Okoro, uncle of Elder Otum, Presbyterian Church, Elu Ohafia.

Information was also drawn from the biography of Elder Otum written after his death.

This article, received in 2001, was researched and written by Rev. Dr. Emele Mba Uka, a Project Luke Fellow, Professor of Theology in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at the Federal University of Calabar, Nigeria (UNICAL).