• Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Owerri, Imo State.

It was simply a moment of monumental cultural rebirth, traditional renaissance, and communal jubilation as Ogwuaga Abba Autonomous Community in Nwangele LGA, Imo State, received a brand new traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Eze Obinna Nwachinemere Akwiwu (Dim Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba); years after the passing of Eze (Justice) G. G. I. Ojiako, KSM, CON, CJ (Rtd), (Dim Ohamadike l of Ogwuaga Abba), 1932- 2018.

On the invitation of the Imo State Government under the proactive leadership of His Excellency , Sen. Hope Uzodimma , CON, Nze Obinna Akwiwu (Oshimmiri lll of Abba, Oshimmiri Ukeje of Abba), alongside 65 other traditional rulers designates, seated at the state expanded Exco Chambers on Saturday , March 21, 2025, was officially issued a staff of office as the duly recognized traditional ruler of Ogwuaga Abba Community in Nwangele LGA. The highly anticipated event was witnessed by a cross section of Imo State business captains, government functionaries, and traditional rulers which included High Chief Tony Chukwu, Engr Ifeanyi Okoroigwe, Chief Barr. Nnamdi Anyaheie, Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government House -Owerri, Chief Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu, Commissioner for Lands, Urban Planning & Development, Chief Barr. Rex Anunobi, Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Sen. Osita Izunaso,
Representing Imo West Senatorial District, Hon. Chief Mrs. Rubby Emele, Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, among others.

The eruption of communal celebration that ensued when HRM Eze Obinna Akwiwu (Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba) was recognized by the Imo State governor, His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodinma, and his eventual coronation on Sunday, March 22, 2025, is quite symoblic as the Ogwuaga Abba stool is among the few traditional stools that is revered and venerated in Imo State and beyond, not just for the clout, profile of HRH Obinna Akwiwu and sacredness surrounding it , but also because of its rich and long history of producing great people, well established industrialists, seasoned technocrats, and the size of the domain under the influence of the traditional stool , which has earned it a lot of respect and glory.

Ogwuaga Abba people are well educated, respected, exposed, and also wealthy and I trust that the new traditional leadership will bridge every gap, bring together the aggrieved, mend walls where necessary and unite all for the common good of the community since the new traditional ruler, HRM Eze Obinna Nwachinemere Akwiwu, being magnanimous in victory, has declared: No victor, no vanquished, extending hands of fellowship to his beloved younger brother and respected community leader, Chief Sir (Dr.) Okezie Akwiwu.

The traditional stool of Ogwuaga Abba Autonomous Community in Nwangele LGA, Imo State, no doubt, is highly revered. A community that has produced legendary prominent citizens in the likes of late Chief Stephen Ohakwe Akwiwu of blessed memory, late Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Akwiwu SAN, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 1st Republic, Chief Mishael Akwiwu, the late Chief Engr. Hillary Ike Ozigbu (O.E.C Engineering) and the late HRH Eze (Justice) G.G.I. Ojiako, KSM, CON, CJ (Rtd) (Ohamadike l of Ogwuaga Abba) amongst several other prominent men, too many to mention.

In the new era and dispensation; we also have illustrious sons in the likes of High Chief Johnbosco Chukwuma Ozigbu, Ph.D (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga), Justice K.K. Ojiako, Chief Sir Jeff Uju (Akurulo of Abba), High Chief Paul Ozigbu (Nnanyereugo of Abba), Chief Ken Okoha (Owelle of Abba), Chief Engr (Dr.) Kenneth Ebubeogu (Ubawuike of Abba), Chief Azubike Akwiwu, Dr. Kizito Chijioke Ojiako, Chief Kingsely Ozigbu (Ide of Abba), Chief Chukwuma Ojiako, Prof. Frank Ojiako, Chief Henry Ofoegbu, Chief Chuks Alakwem, Chief Ugo Ozigbu and many others that have etched their names in the sands of history through dedicated selfless community services , uprightness and practical empowerment initiatives through job creation.

From observations across both days of celebration, highly commendable is the cross – fertilization of ideas from HRM Obinna Akwiwu’s strategy group led by Chief Barr. Stan Chike Ofoma, Chief Ugochukwu Ozigbu, Chief Barr. Martin Achuonye, Chief Chuks Alakwem, Chief Ben Mbanaso, Chief Chinedu Alakwem, Chief Bona Akwuiwu ( President General of Ogwauaga), Prince Emmanuel Akwiwu and Prince Arinze Akwiwu that incubated and strategically planned the well executed activities that heralded the traditional coronation ceremony starting with a stopover at the St. Stephen Anglican Church, Ogwuaga Abba; a first point of call for HRM Eze Obinna Akwiwu, as he led a retinue of his colourful entourage for a thanksgiving mass where he dedicated his staff of office and letter of recognition to God, praying for a renewed strength, leadership resilence, tenacity, and wisdom to lead the good people of Ogwuaga Abba with the fear of God, equity, fairness, and justice.

With different cultural groups on display, and well over 100 gunshots salute that were released in the air at the various designated locations to accord the Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba a heroic welcome and grand reception like the great Zik of Africa, a true testament of a man who is at peace with the people and a reflection of an elder statesman, and a respected businessman and community leader nay traditional ruler loved by his people, as the obviously elated Eze Obinna Nwachinemere Akwiwu (Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba Ancient Kingdom) embarked on an immediate tour of appreciation to the various villages in Ogwuaga Abba community; visa viz: Dimagu, Mbara Uhuala, Uriabia, Amato and Ukwubemgba, waving at them and also receiving cheers from the women, elderly, the youths, traders, artisans, as well as passers-by who came out in their numbers to thank God Almighty for a day like this, while celebrating the cultural diplomacy, royal regalia, and charismatic traditional leadership of the newly coronated Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba to the glory of God and for posterity. The road tour ended at the ancestral home of the Akwiwu dynasty in Chief Stephen Ohakwe Akwiwu’s home where members of the entourage paid homage to the late icon and took photographs.

Highpoint of the event was the arrival of Ndi Nze N’ Ozo Abba, Nwangele traditional rulers led by HRH Eze (Hon.) Uzoma Boniface Onunenyi (Ekiti ll of Ekitiafor Abba), HRM Eze (Dr.) Ndubueze Ejiogu (Kara of Umunakara),His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Sir. E.F.N.I Akano, JP, KSJ, OF (Eze Isu), HRH Eze Ndubueze Maduabuchukwu (Uburu ll of Abba), HRH Eze K.C. Onukwuri (Ozu na Umozu); also rrepresentatives of the Imo State Governor, His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodinma, which included: Hon. Chief Mayor Emenike,
Commissioner for Environment & Sanitation.
Hon. Chief Mike Akwiwu , SSA to the Governor on Open Places & Parks, Prince Charles Mbachu, former Sole Administrator Nwangele LGA, Chief Martin Uzoma, former S.A to the Governor, High Chief Maurice Onwukwe,
former Coordinator, Nwangele South Development Center, members of the Eze’s cabinet, heads of the various villages in Ogwuaga Abba, the women group and other social groups as they were all seated for the traditional ritual of the coronation conferment on HRM Eze Obinna Nwachinemere Akwiwu as the Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba, dutifully performed by Chief Kerian Ikeata, Traditional Prime Minister of Ogwuaga Abba, Chief Eddy Okoroha, Chairman, Ogwuaga Abba Council of Chiefs alongside qualified representatives of the villages that make up Ogwuaga Kingdom.

To Chief (Dr.) Okezie Akwiwu, a respected leader, a man I love and hold in high esteem, may I passionately appeal that you listen to the voice of reason and work with your newly crowned Eze to move the community forward.

To the keypad warriors and paid media hirelings who only feed on crisis and survive by controversy, just know that your assignments ended the day His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma, CON, officially recognized and handed over staff of office to Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba to saddle on the throne of his forefathers even as he warned against causing any further crisis going forward. Doing the contrary, is declaring war against your ancestors and the Imo State government under His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Hope Uzodinma, CON.

Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Media Consultant|Newspaper Columnist|Public Analyst|PR- Expert|
Publisher,

4TH ESTATE REPORTERS