Nwangele Traditional Rulers Confer ‘High Chieftaincy Titles On Maurice Onwukwe, Engr. Paul Ozigbu & Others

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA

The Igbo chieftaincy titles are honourable and are conferred on illustrious men and women, who have distinguished themselves in community service.  

Some of these chieftaincy title receipents, through their philantropic disposition had built roads, attracted construction of roads in their communities, built markets, instituted scholarship programmes, empowered some young men and initiated  developmental community projects. Others served as trusted and honest agents of peace in their various communities as well as being bridge builders between the community and the government at all levels.

From the above backdrop, on Monday, 4th January, 2021, Nwangele Council of Traditional Rulers ably led by His Royal Highness, Eze Godwin Ndubueze Ejiogu (Eze Kara of Umunakara ),  conferred a well deserved but  rare prestigious ‘High Chieftaincy Title’ on an illustrious son of Nwangele LGA, Imo State, a political warlord and boardroom strategist, a real estate mogul and respected community leader from Umudiagba village in Abajah Autonomous Community, Hon. Maurice Onwukwe (Imeh na eme Nwangele); who is now dressed in a royal toga and addressed by his prestigious chieftaincy title as High Chief Maurice Onwukwe alongside his amazing wife, Lolo Mrs. Francisca Oby Onwukwe.

 The event, which had in attendance his family members led by Chief Eugene Adiele Onwukwe (Omeziribe of Abajah), the two union President General, Engr. Ugochukwu Diala Iheanacho, Abajah community leaders from the various villages, Women Wing of Abajah Town Union, politicians across party divides, friends, well wishers as well as allies, who suspended their programmes for the day to honour a man, who has contributed immensely at the grassroots towards the  enthronement of State lawmakers from Nwangele LGA.

High Chief Maurice Onwukwe, is no doubt one of the progenitors  and brains behind Chief Ugonna Ozurigbo’s political emergence and sustained relevance in the Imo State political landscape before detractors sowed a divisive wicked seed of rift between the two age long political allies.

Nevertheless, High Chief Maurice  Onwukwe has continued to wax even stronger in the political firmament of the most strategic LGA in Imo State, while using his formidable grassroots structure, strong presence, reach, contacts, network and mileage to prove a point that he is undisputably relevant in any political arrangements, negotiations, peace making and community building within his circle of influence.

Conferring the High Chieftaincy title on Hon. Maurice Onwukwe, His Royal Highness, Eze Ndubueze Godwin Ejiogu, Traditional Ruler of Umunakara Autonomous Community,  alongside other traditional rulers unanimously poured libations as they released royal blessings of  God’s protection, guidance and direction on High Chief Onwukwe, who they described as a beloved son in whom they are well pleased. 

A former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and a Special Guest of Honour at the event, Rt. Hon. Amaechi Nwaoha, while in a private media chat with renowned Media Consultant, Njoku MacDonald Obinna, saluted the consistency, leadership commitment and steady growth of Hon. Maurice Onwukwe, who he said “started from the grassroots to become one of the respected political leaders in Nwangele LGA”. He described him as a goal getter, whose eyes are always fixed on achieving results in any business and political adventures.

Among the lucky recipients of the prestigious ‘High Chieftaincy Title ‘ confernment by Nwangele royal fathers included Amalgbo born industrialist and doyen of hospitality business, Chairman |CEO of Immaculate Hotels Ltd, High Chief Edward Emeanuo and Abba born road construction giant and respected community leader, Engr. Paul Ozigbu (Nnanyereugo of Abba), who was also accompanied to the historic event by his beautiful wife, Lolo Mrs. Ngozi Ozigbu, Chief Kyrian Ikeata,  Ogwuaga Abba Regent, Chief  Bona Akwuiwu, a former Commissioner in Imo State during the Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha’s administration, Chief Obinna Akwiwu (Oshimmirri III of Abba), Chief Zubby Akwiwu among other community leaders.

 Chief Dr. Batos Nwadike (Oyii of  Igboland), Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Imo State Governor, His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodinma, while granting audience at the event stated: “Hon. Maurice Onwukwe is a strong force in the politics of Nwangele LGA, and has contributed immensely towards its social re-engineering. He is an illustrious son of the LGA, whom I am proud to be associated with,  thus, my attending his Chieftaincy title confernment with my entire family” he concluded.

Speaking during an interview with 4thestatereporters.com, the highly elated recipient, Hon. Maurice Onwukwe (Omereoha of Umudiagba), expressed joy over the rare honour bestowed on him by the traditional rulers in recognition of his contribution towards church development, service to humanity and political exploits in the area. He however, promised never to let the royal fathers down as he would continue to be an agent of peace and development in Nwangele LGA.

  The colourful event, which attracted cream of Nwangele leadership and friends across the state, had in attendance the Deputy Speaker of Imo Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, His Royal Highness, Eze Godwin Ndubueze Ejiogu, HRH, Eze Boniface Uzomah Onunenyi, HRH, Eze Ndubueze Maduabuchukwu (Uburu II of Abba), HRH Eze Sir Noel Chikaodinaka Chukwunenye,  Ezeugo1 of Awo Ohii Dim Atta Autonomous Community Ikeduru LGA, Imo State.

Others included Chief Paul Duru, Chief of Staff to the Imo Deputy Speaker, Chief (Dr.) Okey Onyejiaka, immediate past Transition Committee Chairman of Nwangele LGA, Engr. Chris Ukommadu, Fin. Sec.  Amaigbo Unity Forum, Chief John Anosike, Hon. Chief Ikechukwu Ojiakor, God’s vessel of honour, Pst. Maurice Obinali Ohaka, Prince Chris Akano (Isu Holdings), among other dignitaries. 

 For his deep love for Igbo tradition and social anthropology, the epoch-making event also featured masquerade display and bongo music as all in attendance had more than enough to eat, drink and even take home. 

No doubt, Monday 4th January, 2021, has gone down in history for the Onwukwes in Umudiagba village, Abajah Community, Nwangele LGA, as a colourful and memorable day the royal fathers honoured their illustrious son, High Chief Maurice Onwukwe as a beacon of hope in community leadership and socio-cultural development.

Njoku Macdonald Obinna, Media Consultant|PR-Expert,
with his high flying media crew were around to give the event some vibes and well deserved coverage, vintage 4thestatereporters.com.