.Reels out achievements
By EDISON Okereke
The traditional ruler of Ogbor Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, His Royal Highness Eze Dr Matthew John Ekereleonyeonwu Onweni (Onye Isiala II) has been thanking God almighty for giving him the grace, life, good health, and protection in his forty (40) years on the throne and active service to mankind.
Onweni who was a deputy chairman emeritus of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, and one-time chairman, Traditional Rulers of Okigwe zone, in an interview with Daily Nigerian Horn, expressed profound happiness over the success of the event and noted some high points of his reign with the help of his people.
Said he, “Today is my 40th year on the throne. I’ve seen a lot since then. But I thank God that I’m alive today in all of this.
“Within these forty years, we’ve done a lot for our people. We’ve attracted tarred roads, NDDC solar-powered lights, a secondary school, government-sponsored scholarships for our youths. We had planted palm trees from which we’ve been getting money now to support our families, he stated.
While calling on the government not to relentl on the issue of insecurity, the Eze pleaded with the government for 500-KVA electricity transformers, good roads, more solar-powered lights for his community.
He stressed the need for government to properly organize elections in communities and do away with interim, ad-hoc leaderships, pointing out that it is the properly elected constitutionally empowered executives in communities that can address the needs of the people.
He commended senator Ndubueze’s efforts in the zone and pleaded with the people to give him a second chance in the Senate, adding that the difference will be clear.
Eze Onweni thanked everyone who contributed towards the success of the ceremony.
While flagging off the reconstruction of Eze Onweni’s ultra-modern one-storey palace, Hon Greg Owuamanam who represented senator Patrick Ndubueze on the occasion said, “On behalf of distinguished senator Patrick Chiwuba representing Okigwe North in the Senate, I flag off the reconstruction of the building, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost….”
Owuamanam pledged the senator’s continued support towards the completion of the new ‘Obi Eze.’
The former member representing the good people of Ihitte/Uboma Local Government in the Imo State House of Assembly, in a chat with Daily Nigerian Horn, urged the people of Okigwe senatorial zone to harken to the plea of Eze Onweni to vote for Ndubueze for a second tenure in the Senate and wished the Eze the best of luck in whatever thing.
In another interview, the member representing the good people of Isiala Mbano state constituency and Deputy Majority Leader (APC) in the State Legislature, Hon Sam Okwubanego Osuji, expressed happiness that the Eze is celebrating in good health and attributed it to his possession of good heart and preparedness to serve his fellow human beings.
While praying to God to continue to bless and guide him, the lawmaker said the Eze had ruled Ogbor well.
Promising to sink a borehole in the area in honour of Eze Onweni, he congratulated him, saying “Forty years is a significant historical number.
“I congratulate you, our traditional ruler. It is not easy to achieve 40 years on the throne,” adding that the Eze has demonstrated capacity in his kingdom.
The commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Mrs Ruby Emele, who was represented on the occasion by her ministry’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs Patience Ogujiofo, recalled in a chat with Daily Nigerian Horn, that Eze Onweni was the first traditional ruler in Okigwe zone that honoured Mrs Emele with a traditional chieftaincy title.
“I want to give the Eze kudos for deeming it fit to celebrate his 40 years on the throne,” Mrs Ogujiofo stated.
Most of the Eze’s subjects and guests expressed their solidarity for their Eze and wished him well.
While praying God to continue to guide and bless him, his fellow traditional ruler of Ugirinna Eze Marcellus Agbaka ((Nna 1) stated that it was not easy to attain 40 years on the throne, that he was on the occasion to tap blessings.
“At 40 years on the throne, he is very, very strong and agile. So I came to tap from his blessings. It is very, very rare to attain this age in kingship,” he stated.
The chairman of the occasion who came back all the way from the U.S. especially for it, Chief ABC Madu (Ohamadike), noted that the Eze’s style of leadership was bringing peace and progress to the community. On behalf of his family, Chier Madu bade the Eze success in his projects.
A former president-general emeritus of the community, Chief Fabian Okochi (Ugwumba) described the anniversary as unique.
While urging the Eze not to relent on his good work, Okochi prayed God to give him more grace on the throne.
The Vice chairman of the Planning Committee, Chief Ugonna Theo Duru (Akaraugo) and who said he introduced the ‘Eze Logo’, reached out to the public for the special ceremony, among other things, noted that the upgrading of the palace to a one-storey building was a collective decision of sons and daughters of Ogbor at home and in the Diaspora.
He solicited their continued support towards the completion of the project on time, to enable its commissioning in September or October as expected.
Hon Chukwuemeka Anyanwu, Chief Innocent Ekwufulem, Hon Tony Nnanna, and many others added their voices in good-willing their Eze.
The project handler, Chief Ikukuoma, in an interview with Daily Nigerian Horn, assured that the building will be completed in October, “by the grace of God.”
In addition to the 40th enthronement anniversary, the community used the occasion to unveil a logo for, and flagged off the foundation laying of Eze Onweni’s new palace.
The ceremonies attracted sons and daughters of the community home and abroad including all the villages of the community who were well represented.
Among those present were Professor Jude Nzeako.
The outing featured free speeches, cultural dance music, traditional masquerade dancing, and other forms of entertainment.
