₦airaland Forum

Another Igbo Billionaire, Onwa Global Buries Father With 200M Copper Casket, Draws Crowds in Imo

It was a total shutdown in Umualaoma community, Ideato LGA of Imo State on Wednesday as Chief Stephen Arinze Ibeh, popularly known as Onwa Global and Chairman of SAFIC Industries Ltd, laid his father to rest in a grand funeral ceremony attended by top business figures and dignitaries.

The deceased, Chief Stephen Ozuome Ibeh, a respected community leader, died at the ripe age of 86.

The burial rites began with a vigil mass on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Umualaoma. A requiem mass was celebrated on the 20th of August at the same church by the Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Okwuoma.

The carnival-like funeral event drew a large turnout, including several billionaire industrialists from the South-East and over 40 different club.

The ceremony has also sparked widespread conversation over the casket used for the burial.

Rumors circulating online pegged the cost of the copper casket at about N130 million. Others argued that given current inflation, the price could now be close to N200 million.

Some observers noted similarities to a copper casket reportedly used by Chief Orabuchi, popularly known as Panteka for his in-law’s burial in Anambra State over two years ago.

Information shared by APAMS Funeral Ltd on its official social media pages confirmed that the Ibeh family purchased a copper casket from the company. However, APAMS did not disclose the price.

APAMS Funeral Ltd has been in the news in recent years for providing high-end caskets for several prominent burials.

Other notable families said to have used the firm’s copper caskets include Zenco, and Babyoku.

A source who attended the burial confirmed that Chief Stephen Arinze Ibeh might have made more than 5 billion naira from the burial considering the number of clubs that attended.

A club that attended the event was seen carrying a cheque dummy of N100M while some individuals were reportedly seen giving out as much as 20M naira

Community members described the burial as a reflection of Chief Ibeh’s standing in both business and community circles, while also reigniting debate about the rising cost and display associated with high-profile funerals in the region.

Source : https://newsmaxxng.com/another-igbo-billionaire-onwa-global-buries-father-with-200m-copper-casket-draws-crowds-in-imo/

Omorr, this one too loud

Poor man pikin

Does this make any sense , it’s possible he has not given his father such money while he’s alive but look at him using his father’s death to put unnecessary pressure on others and one person will put himself on unnecessary pressure to do sure or more

It’s high time we change this mentality, Ronaldo got married some few days ago just in a parlor and no unnecessary show off , this need to stop it’s doing more damage to the youth and society at large than any good


And pls let not make this a tribal thing

Any idea what products and/ or services the company sells/provides

Chief Stephen Arinze Ibeh, popularly known as Onwa Global and Chairman of SAFIC Industries Ltd

Exactly what I used to buried my grandma last year
But I bought it 270 million naira

Funny how people run business, cheat others, fight and kill each other. Only to buy a thing like this that wud be buried on the ground

Helpfromabove1:
Does this make any sense

never!
wetin u expect across d river?

No it doesn't but it's a normal thing in the east

Helpfromabove1:
Does this make any sense

Everyone na billionaire for East.

hope the casket will be guarded 2/4/7 forever cos iron condemned and. criminals will dig it up

Must be a great father. I like that.

Bloggers and fake story. No be only 200m na 2 trillion.

anonimi:
Any idea what products and/ or services the company sells/provides

Hop is not what am thinking .

Apams is making money in the east where nobody expected such.. The man should also hire securities that will secure the grave after the burial. Something fit happen.

Good for him. However he wants to bury his father is entirely his business. But I will be angry with him if he didn't take proper care of his father when he was alive, and if there are so many people in need, in his community that he ignored.

All of them na billionaire.
But nobody dey see dem for Forbs or any global rating.

Abegi.
If I come from that side, dem for dey call me billionaire by now ohh....

Anyway only someone with ill gotten money does such...
I hope the casket will raise his dead father or automatically grant him VIP access to heaven.
How much be Queen Eliza casket again

Well is people's choice to spend their money however they want.

After all, they worked hard for it.

But considering the situation of the country, this will go a long way in adding value to the living.

As I said, it's their money; they can spend it any way they wish.

Eba50:
hope the casket will be guarded 2/4/7 forever cos iron condemned and. criminals will dig it up

Exactly


Please take a moment to write a quality post with at least 20 characters.

anonimi:
Any idea what products and/ or services the company sells/provides

I know where you are going. Lol
Is a good question

Septagon:
Everyone na billionaire for East.

A lot of poor people do burial of their loved ones, and doesn't make it to the media, so those that have the money, appears on media, and you think that is how the Igbos all claim to be rich?

Helpfromabove1:
Does this make any sense

Each to his own.

It's his money, let him burn it if he likes

anonimi:
Any idea what products and/ or services the company sells/provides

Oil and Gas. Our oil and gas marketers

Copper casket makes me remember a story I once read about burying dead people and the hypocrisy of the living

In the story of Uloko, a wealthy and ambitious man is obsessed with money, social status, and public recognition. His brother, Chigo, returns from Tanzania and becomes uncomfortable with the materialistic and corrupt society he finds around him.

Uloko spends beyond his means in order to impress people. He gives large donations mainly because he wants publicity and recognition, and he dreams of becoming a member of the Igwe's cabinet. His father, wife, and brother repeatedly warn him about his lifestyle and his growing debts, but he refuses to listen.

Uloko's desire for wealth eventually leads him into serious trouble. His debts increase, his relationships suffer, and he becomes involved in a dangerous attempt to make money through ritual means. He later becomes seriously ill and realizes that his friends and admirers have abandoned him. Before his death, he regrets refusing to listen to the people who genuinely cared about him.

His father's burial is also presented as an example of ostentation and hypocrisy, although Uloko had neglected his father while he was alive, he insists on an elaborate and expensive burial against his father's wish for a simple one.

Major Lessons

1. Materialism and Greed
Uloko believes that wealth and possessions are the keys to respect and success. His obsession ultimately destroys him.


2. Hypocrisy and Public Show
People often care more about how they appear to society than about doing what is genuinely right. Uloko's lavish donations and his father's expensive burial demonstrate this.


3. Corruption
The novel exposes corruption in business, government, and society and shows how the pursuit of wealth can lead people to compromise their principles.


4. Failure to Listen to Good Advice
Uloko repeatedly ignores advice from his father, wife, and brother. His actions symbolizes people who have ears but refuse to listen.


5. The Consequences of Greed
Uloko's excessive borrowing, desire for status, and dangerous pursuit of money eventually bring about his downfall.



What Can You Learn

1. Wealth should not become more important than human values.

2. We should listen to sincere advice before it is too late.

3. Do not live your life simply to impress other people.

4. Genuine kindness is more valuable than public displays of generosity.

5. We should respect and care for our parents while they are alive, rather than trying to impress people with an extravagant funeral after they die.

6. A good name and a morally upright life are worth more than wealth and social status.

How did you know the casket is 200m ?

Naso
You mean copper plated abi.
Anyways, rip.

Maybe the 200million include the casket, logistics and catering services

You will forever be bless by our lord for this one of one comment.

Newton1045:
Funny how people run business, cheat others, fight and kill each other. Only to buy a thing like this that wud be buried on the ground

Gotocourt:
Omorr, this one too loud

Poor man pikin

Waste of money
Waste of money

1. I hope he spent up to one-tenth that amount on the man when he was still alive!

2. I don't see "big" burial events as some good done to the dead; they're mere funfare for the living!
3. Burying 400 million naira on the ground is economic sabotage!

My problem is that with all the money 💰 paid to Apams as a funeral director, they can't spare inconsequential % to make good attire for their staff that carry out this job. Niggaz be looking like a carpenter made their COAT and cap. Tufiakua... no class at all

They would have moulded statues of me, calling me a multi trillionaire

That casket isn't up to 20 million. Maybe 2 million sef.

Exousiang01:
All of them na billionaire.
But nobody dey see dem for Forbs or any global rating.

Abegi.
If I come from that side, dem for dey call me billionaire by now ohh....

Anyway only someone with ill gotten money does such...
I hope the casket will raise his dead father or automatically grant him VIP access to heaven.
How much be Queen Eliza casket again