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By Moses Akaigwe
In contemporary African culture, where succession to the traditional throne is not by royal bloodline or eligibility from a designated ruling house, the process of selecting a new occupant could be fraught with crises and, as recent cases have shown, could lead to bloodshed or end in the court of law.
But, in Adazi-Ani, a fast-rising kingdom in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, what could easily be described as an exemplary and seamless royal transition has taken place, with a successor to the vacant throne, Chief Chinedu Benson Madubuko, OFR, recently unanimously selected without rancour.
The emergence of Chief Madubuko, a highly regarded entrepreneur, industrialist, philanthropist and Chairman/CEO of De Chico Group, as the people’s popular choice, was further given a stamp of authority with dispatch by the Anambra State Government.
This was because, on February 20, 2026, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo presented him with a certificate of recognition, urging him to continue to make impactful contributions to the development of his town and the state.
Today, all roads will lead to Adazi-Ani as people from different parts of the country and abroad join the indigenes on the occasion of the coronation of His Royal Majesty (Dr.) Chinedu Benson Madubuko, OFR, as Eze Chinechendo 1 of Adazi-Ani Kingdom and the celebration of his first Ofala.
Perhaps what made the seamless emergence of the De Chico Group founder as the popular choice a model for other towns was the unanimity of purpose demonstrated by the people of Adazi-Ani in deciding – without even one of the 10 villages dissenting – that he is the one the crown fits.
The essence of this evidence of unity and display of oneness of purpose was captured in a carefully penned eulogy by the Chief of Staff to Eze Chinechendo, Engr. Ikechukwu Okafor, in which he brought to the fore that, apart from the official title of Eze Chinechendo 1 of Adazi-Ani, the new traditional leader is also fondly called Eze Ohazulunye.
Okafor recalled that when the town’s first traditional leader, Igwe Robert N. Nwankwo, Ogene 1 of Adazi-Ani, joined his ancestors on March 30, 2024, his departure left a void that needed to be filled. Thus ensued the search for a worthy successor.
And predictably, all eyes looked towards Chief Madubuko, who had become a towering leader, a man of the people, a bridge-builder, a benefactor, and a custodian of culture and progress.
Okafor further went down memory lane: “As the search intensified, the name of Chief (Dr) Chinedu Benson Madubuko repeatedly emerged among the people as the man whose life, character, achievements, and devotion to community service uniquely qualified him for the sacred responsibility.
“Yet, in humility, he consistently rejected all appeals and resisted every attempt to persuade him to accept the throne.
“The entire community united in prayers, believing that divine providence had prepared him for such a time as this.
“In the early hours of December 12, 2025, after deep reflection, prayers, and what he described as a divine call, Chief (Dr.) Chinedu Benson Madubuko accepted the responsibility to serve his people as their traditional ruler.”
That well-thought-out decision and the successful conclusion to the process of succession paved the way for today’s monumental milestone event, expected to put on display, with pomp, the best of Adazi-Ani’s cultural heritage.
One of the prominent indigenes who expressed excitement over the historic occasion was Chief Oliver Okpala, a veteran journalist and National President of the Nigeria League of Veteran Journalists.
He described Chief Madubuko’s ascension to the traditional throne at this time as divinely ordained, expressing optimism that his reign would usher in peace, unity, progress and prosperity for the people of Adazi-Ani.
Okpala also expressed confidence that Eze Chinechendo 1 would protect and promote the rich cultural heritage of Adazi-Ani, describing the monarch as a respected philanthropist whose integrity, dedication to service and commitment to excellence have made a positive difference in the lives of many people.
Indeed, the story of the De Chico Group founder’s philanthropic gestures and the way he has impacted the town is legendary. A serial benefactor, he has been generously funding community amenities and championing education by sponsoring numerous scholarships for local students.
In one particular instance, on Sunday, April 4, 2021, Adazi-Ani went agog when Chief Madubuko invited prominent Anambra indigenes to commission 16 asphalt-concrete roads with neatly cast drainage and markings.
In addition to visibly transforming the town, the network of roads, which was the first phase of such amenities, has enhanced safe driving, connected various parts of the town and, in some cases, led to neighbouring communities.
By the time the welter of construction works was over, he had completed a total of 21 roads spanning approximately 14.62 kilometres across the three clans of the town, complete with modern precast drainage systems.
His charitable deeds and De Chico Group’s many footprints on Nigeria’s economic terrain caught the attention of The Sun Publishing Ltd., which bestowed on him the prestigious honour of Entrepreneur of the Year at the next edition of The Sun Awards in 2022.
Chief Madubuko has made notable contributions to education through his philanthropic support for tertiary institutions. He funded and constructed the 700-seater Chief Zephaniah & Lolo Susanna Madubuko Auditorium for the Faculty of Social Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and also funded the entrance gate of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
In recognition of his contributions to entrepreneurship and humanitarian service, Nnamdi Azikiwe University conferred on him an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Entrepreneurship and Humanitarian Services at its 18th Convocation on May 31, 2024.
Through the Zeph Care Foundation, established in 2017, Chief Madubuko has supported unemployed youths, widows, indigent students and other vulnerable people. Between 2017 and 2021, the Foundation empowered over 704 beneficiaries in Port Harcourt with about ₦67.6 million in financial assistance.
He later extended the Foundation’s humanitarian activities to Adazi-Ani, committing ₦100 million over five years to community empowerment. From 2021 to 2025, hundreds of beneficiaries received financial support ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦1 million.
All these must have been interpolated to earn him the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
Born on September 15, 1963, the new monarch hails from Ikenga Village in the town. He attended St. Peter’s Primary School, Adazi-Ani, and Kenneth Commercial and Technical College, Port Harcourt, and earned a B.Sc. in Management Science from Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.
Starting as an LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) re-filler and vinyl record/cassette trader, he expanded into Emenite roofing and ceiling materials before venturing later into the fabrication and nationwide distribution of aluminium profiles, stone-coated roofing sheets and other building materials.
He is happily married to Mrs Chinelo Madubuko, and they are blessed with children.
Today’s majestic inauguration is expected to usher in a new dawn in terms of the development and upliftment of the town.
The reign of HRM (Dr.) Chinedu Benson Madubuko, OFR, as Eze Chinechendo 1 of Adazi-Ani Kingdom, is expected to sustain and rev up the momentum of enduring peace, unity, prosperity and progress in Adazi-Ani and beyond.
