Eze Eziakonwa celebrates coronation anniversary with pomp, pageantry

From Everest Ezihe, Okpala

Photo 1: HRH Eze Obinna Eziakonwa, his Ugoeze(Wife) and cross section of distinguished personalities that graced the occasion.

Photo 11: HRH Eze Obinna Eziakonwa, his Ugoeze(Wife) and members of his cabinet been cheered by the people. Photos by Mrs. Chinenye Chuks Nwokeji.

Last weekend the ancient but peaceful Okpala Autonomous Community in Ngor Okpuala Local Government Area of Imo State was in festive mood as his,HRH Eze Obinna Eziakonwa (the Asaa 1 of Okpala Autonomous community), celebrates with pomp and pageantry his second coronation anniversary.

The well attended historic occasion was held at the play ground of the community’s Central school in conjunction with the Ama Asaa Development Union, and other critical stakeholders of the famous autonomous community.

In his welcome address, Eze Eziakonwa expressed gratitude to God for His grace and mercy upon the community and solicited for His enduring peace,love and unity of purpose.

While thanking members of his community for their steadfastness as well as all those in attendance especially the eminent personalities, he vowed of his patriotic commitments in ensuring peace, stability and progress of the community while soliciting for God’s guidance and help.

The Royal Father pointed out that the peace existing in his autonomous community is because the people are cordially united, progressively minded, productively resourceful, God fearing and law abiding, however, he further thanked God that majority of the critical stakeholders in the community have queued into his dream of making Okpala a better and peaceful place to live.

Hear him, “our God has been so good to us in this community, as you are aware, we were here exactly two years ago for our coronation and since then you have been playing commendable roles in support of our activities.

” It would interest you to know that within the period, we have had Obiri Ama Asaa built and furnished at our community headquarters Umuagwu, this was constructed by two of your daughters in Diaspora, to which we are very grateful.

“The security architecture has been upgraded, and equipped with modern gadgets so as to enhance the performances of the community security outfit. Permit me to commend the establishment of a standard Health Centre at Umukabi by member of the ADU in Diaspora . The proximity to health facilities has in no little measure enhanced timely access to health care by residents of the community.
“Scholarship awards to indigent members are also part of what has occupied us this period, this has been facilitated by the Michael Eziakonwa Foundation in conjunction with Sir Geo Nwankwo, our illustrious and distinguished son”.

The reverred monarch who noted that his two years rulership as Eze has witnessed robust peace and significant developments, progress and socialization therein, said , “I feel very very elated because the support and encouragement given to me by my people is massive.
” I have patriotic people around me , we are going to move the community forward by improving the infrastructural architecture, for now , we are going to improve both roads, health center among others, my people in Diaspora, my chiefs and prominent people in my community are working towards developing our community, and the sky is actually our starting point ”

In a vote of thanks, Sir Geo Nwankwo one of the patriotic sons of the community, expressed satisfaction over the success of the event, and commended the people of Okpala for coming out enmass to celebrate their day and two years rulership of their beloved traditional ruler.

Nwankwo enjoined Eze Eziakonwa to always lead with the fear of God lifestyle rooted in love , peace and unity, emphasizing that the strength of a Kingdom is not determined solely by its leaders but by the collective efforts of the followers.

He also advised him on the need to be empathetic and humane saying that all about leadership is service to the people.

Earlier on his speech, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Alabekee Chikwendu VC, the Okenze of Okpala Autonomous Community and a Professor of Education in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri said this is the first time an Eze is not coming out from one particular family.

Hear him, “all the times, since 20, 30, 40 years ago the traditional ruler of the community has been coming from one particular family, so we have been fighting against this cultural anomaly, it was looking as if we are slaves, it’s unconstitutional, but this time around, we were looking for even a goat to take it away from them , fortunately for us , somebody we did not even expect, instead of a goat, a patriotic human being came and emancipated us from this age long cultural and traditional enslavement.

“We are patriotically bound to support the traditional ruler because he represents the wishes of the people and like the biblical David, he courageously emancipated us from the hands of Goliaths that were oppressing us”.

“We choose 27th December each year for the celebration because it was on 27th day of December that we coronated him as our traditional ruler, so we resolved to hold unto it. And the significant of this celebration is to bring all our sons and daughters both home and abroad together to cheer up and share in the general joy of the community because there’s strength in unity, also there is need for cohesiveness so that we can push along because Okpala is centrally situated “.

The ceremony which witnessed special kola nut presentation welcome song and cultural display, also had in attendance HRH Eze (Engr) Sir Fred Nwachukwu Ogboro 1 of Ngor/Chairman Ngor Okpala Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Prince well .O. Nwaogu Alum 1 of Alum Ancient Kingdom, HRH Eze Sir Chris Anaele, Eze Oha 111 of Ntu Autonomous community among others.