•Ugwulangwu community in Ebonyi seeks Solomonic wisdom for new king, Eze Ohazurumee
From Wilson Okereke, Afikpo
Allroads led to Ugwulangwu in Ohaozara, Ebonyi State on January 10, 2025, when thepeople rolled out the drums to celebrate their king. They werejoined by friends and well-wishers from far and near.
The sing song of the daywas ‘Eze Iga Adi o,’ translating to ‘long live the king.’ This rent the air as almost everybody focussed on one beautifully decoratedsetting where the new traditional ruler of Mgbom Ugwualangwu AutonomousCommunity, Eze Frank Ivoh Agueze sat with his wife, the Ugoeze. People paid homage to the stool in various styles with many bowingbefore the king. And he blessed them as they came.
Atdifferent directions, traditional displays were going on with various troupestrying to outdo one another. Thepeople prayed for Solomonic wisdom and the longevity of Methuselah for the ruler as well as the unity of his subjects.
It was the coronation of Agueze, the Eze Ohazurumee (Nnamoke II)after he had received certificate of recognition and staff of office from government.
Chairman, Planning Committee, Chief Sunday Nwaji, said that the community comprising 14 villages was firstly ruledby Eze Ikegwu Aja shortly after its creation in 1998 by the then militarygovernment.
Hestated that following Aja’s death, the community stayed about 11 years withouta ruler until November 2023, when they unanimously elected andcoronated Agueze: “The processes of the election were very transparent and credible as theopen ballot system was used.”
Nwajicommended government of Governor Francis Nwifuru forproviding the people with the opportunity to choose and celebrate theirtraditional ruler. He assured their unalloyed support to the government.
Adirector in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction,Barry Odii, chaired the occasion. He described the 11 years of the vacant stoolas an unpleasant period noting that history was made with the coronation:
“I amappealing to our people at home and diaspora to support the traditionalinstitution in all aspects to enable the people piloting the affairs excel. Today’sevent is remarkable and I believe that from time to time, we will be coming tocelebrate the achievements of the traditional ruler.”
FormerCaretaker Chairman, Ohaozara LGA, Ogbonnaya Anegu, who received the title ofOgbuzuru-Oha 1 described the emergence of the traditional ruler asan act of God. He praised the community for the maturity at play in electingthe traditional ruler: “Today marks the coronation where many personswere invited from many parts of the world to come and celebrate what God hasdone for us.”
Anothertitle recipient, Maurice Ebere Okorie, said the award was a result of hisimpact in both community and human development. He expressed gratitude to thepeople for the recognition: “I was the first person in the entire Ugwulangwu toobtain first class in any field of study many years ago. I also enjoyed somany Federal Government scholarships. Additionally, I have encouraged manypersons to go to school and on that note, they believe that people’s fortunecan change through education.
“Ihave sponsored many persons both in businesses and education and paid hospitalbills, though, I usually do them discreetly and these should be the reason forthe title, Igodo.”
President-General, Ezeoke Chima Pacesetters, Chief JonathanAloke (Ajadike na Nkeomere Omeozo), appreciated the community for recognisinghis impact in the society through the organisation and promised to support thetraditional ruler optimally.
ChiefObinna Okoroafor conferred with the title of Afunwa Elotanna said the conferment was an offshoot of his father’s legacies inconjunction with his own philanthropic gestures. He appealed for peace in thearea.
Whenthe man of the moment, Agueze, spoke, he thanked God for the success of theevent and appealed for the cooperation of the aggrieved persons for the unityof the community: “Those who have felt aggrieved through one way or anotherabout me, I am begging them to forgive me, if it requires visiting the personin his home for reconciliation, I will not hesitate to do that.”
Hepromised to rule with the fear of God by representing the community at alltimes. He poured encomiums on the governor and other officials for theaccomplishment.
Ina chat with Daily Sun, traditional ruler of Onicha Igboeze AutonomousCommunity, Ferdinand Nwujor, noted that traditional rulership was burdensome. Headvised his counterpart and friend to always discharge his duties without fearor favour while praying that he reigned with honour and dignity:
“I want him toalways make consultations from the elderly men and women before takingdecisions on sensitive issues.
“Eventhough, he is crowned but he cannot do anything without adequate support by hissubjects. I am urging them to always provide him with all the assistance.”