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); after years of protracted tussle over a worthy replacement of the late 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; a historical watershed event that should put to an end the claims and counter- claims of who is the authentic and duly recognized traditional ruler of Ogwuaga Abba people as encapsulated and sealed in all official records of the Imo State Government gazzette.
At this juncture , therefore, anyone parading as the traditional ruler of the good people of Ogwuaga Abba other than the duly recognized and traditionally coronated HRM Eze Obinna Nwachinemere Akwiwu (Dim Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba), is not only living in self delusions, but also should be seen as a chronic imposter since no community or a pepople can have two traditional rulers sitting on one throne at the same time. Ogwuaga Abba people are well educated, respected, exposed, and also wealthy. And I trust that the 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 vanguished, ` extending hands of fellowship to his beloved younger brother and respected community leader, Chief Sir (Dr.) Okezie Akwiwu.
However, 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 Uzodimma, and his eventual coronation on Sunday, March 22, 2025, is quite symoblic that 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 and sacredness surrounding it , but also because of its rich and long history of producing great people, well established industrialists, seasoned technocrates, and the size of the domain under the influence of the traditional stool , which has earned it a lot of respect and glory.
The traditional stool of Ogwuaga Abba Autonomous Community in Nwangele LGA, Imo State, no doubt, is highly revered. A community that had produced iconoclastic and legendary prominent citizens in the likes of late Chief Stephen Akwiwu of blessed memory, late Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Akwiwu, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Ist Republic, the late Chief Engr. Hillary Ike Ozigbu (O.E.C Engineering), the late HRH Eze (Justice) G.G.I. Ojiako, KSM, CON, CJ (Rtd) (Ohamadike l of Ogwuaga Abba), Publisher of 4th Estate Reporters, Njoku Macdonald Obinna , succinctly captured.
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, and many others that have etched their names in the sands of history through dedicated selfless community services and practical empowerment initiatives through job creation.
Highly commendable is the cross – fertilization of ideas by the likes of Chief Barr. Stan Chike Ofoma, Chief Ugochukwu Ozigbu, Chief Barr. Martin Achonye, Chief Chuks Alakwem, Chief Ben Mbanaso, Chief Chinedu Alakwem, Prince Emmanuel Akwiwu, Prince Arinze Akwiwu, and Nze Morgan Chikezie that incubated such strategically planned and well executed activities that heralded the traditional coronation ceremony starting with a stop over 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 colorful 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 troupe 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 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 regale, 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 where their great grand fathers were laid to rest, as the children assembled to thank them for keeping watch over their affairs here on earth, praying for their continued ancestral watch over their families , children, and great grand children, as Eze Obinna Akwiwu (Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba) returned back to his root to thank the ancestors.
Highpoint of the event was the arrival of Ndi Nze N’ Ozo Abba, Nwangele traditional rulers , representatives of the Imo State Governor, His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodimma, 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.
While the leadership jigsaw and tussle for a credible replacement of the late Eze (Justice) G.G.I. Ojiako, KSM, CON, CJ (Rtd) (Ohamadike l of Ogwuaga Abba ) lasted for over 4 years; there were a number of notorious mischief- makers who played the devil’s advocate script. And just like the proverbial devil that fishes in troubled waters; ‘Ndi ori na crisis’ , those who feed very fat on controversy, lingering court cases and communal crisis, have sworn to challenge both the Imo State government, this unassailable victory for Ogwuaga Abba people and posterity as it marks a new beginning of cultural renaissance, a right step towards ensuring reconciliation , restitution, peace, unity, brotherly love, and prosperity.
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 reasoning by shaming the devil and his cohorts in human forms who may wish to drag you into litigation against this victory for the Akwiwus and the good people of Ogwuaga Abba. These mischievous self imposed special advisers do not mean well for you should they continue to advise you to keep fighting your elder brother , HRM Eze Obinna Nwachinemere Akwiwu (Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba).
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 Uzodimma, CON.
May the peace of God prevail in Ogwuaga Abba Ancient Kingdom.
Long live, Ohamadike ll of Ogwuaga Abba.