•Gov Mbah has shown utmost dedication to the people’s welfare

From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

Igwe Dr Simeon Osisi Itodo, a first-class traditional ruler in Enugu State, is the Ezeoha 1 of Aji community, Essodo kingdom, Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North LGA.  Now 38 years on the throne, the former Grand Patron, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council,  in this interview,  shares his thoughts on royalty,  governance in Enugu State and other issues as he prepares for Ofala festival and public presentation  of his biography.

How did you emerge as a traditional ruler of your people and community?

Unlike these days when there is too much rancour and in-fighting for the selection of a traditional ruler in most communities, it was not like that during our time.Thirty-eight years ago when the then military governor of old Anambra State, Col. Robert Nnaemeka Akonobi  gave the approval for the enthronement of traditional rulers in the four village quarters of Enugu-Ezikeoba  (Essodo, Ezeodo, Umuozzi, Umuitodo,) there was no stiff competition with anybody. I was unanimously chosen by my people who gave me their full support. That was also when the late Igwe J. O Mamah of Ifesinachi Transport was also elected as the Ohabuenyi of Ozzi kingdom. Essodo kingdom then was comprised of communities like Aji, Ufodo, Umuogboagu, Umuagama, Umuogboulo and Umuogboinyi and it was people from these communities that approached me to step out for the throne.

Looking at the journey so far in the last 38 years, what can you say about the royalty and leadership?

The journey so far has been so good and fine, and we give God glory for all things; first for life, because He is the one who gives and takes life too. Most of my contemporaries in the old Nsukka zone are all dead but we are still here, not by my power. We have also recorded growth and development in many ways since then. All the communities I mentioned earlier were part of the Essodo larger community but today almost all of them have their own traditional rulers and are standing on their own as autonomous communities.  They are five in number now and their autonomy was what gave rise to the Essodo kingdom today. This Essodo kingdom comprises all the cabinet members from the various autonomous communities. We meet thrice in a year and it has been so good. That we now have five traditional rulers in Essodo instead of only me is a sign of progress. I have also risen through the ranks over the years in the traditional rulership council of Enugu State to the extent that I once acted as the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council before I was made the Grand Patron.  Looking back, we have made progress, development wise.  Before, our people were not connected to the national grid in electricity supply when we started but all the autonomous communities today have public electric lights and even public water supply.

What are the defining moments of your leadership and the golden memories you cherish so far that gladdens your heart?

There have been challenges, trials and triumphs too but we thank God. Government has been supportive of development projects in our rural communities and this is exciting when you look at where we started. Before, there was nothing like tarred roads in our area but today, you can see the interconnectivity of communities with access roads while private individuals are today constructing roads without even waiting for government. We complain that things are hard in Nigeria today but if you still look back to where we started, you can see that standard of living has improved greatly while poverty has been dealt with that today, many people do various exploits on their own. Seeing the transition from where we started to where we are today gladdens my heart and I believe that we can even do more going forward.

How would you describe the relationship with government, traditional rulers and the people of Enugu state?

It has been very cordial, rewarding and enriching. Government has been very effective in the affairs of the traditional rulers in Enugu State. The traditional rulers’ council in the state is structured in a way that ensures effective delivery of expected duties and functions. There is a council for the entire state while there are zonal structures across the three senatorial zones of Enugu North, West and South. This has made our work seamless and very effective because we interface with government most times. Enugu State government under Governor Peter Mbah is very much dedicated to the welfare of the traditional rulers and people of the state too. The new proposed 2026 budget in Enugu State also took care of the welfare of the traditional rulers and the governor has taken practical steps and actions to back up his commitment to the welfare of the royal fathers.

Are there other ways you think government can do more to impact on governance at the local communities and also enhance the status of traditional rulers?

It is important that traditional rulers be accorded a constitutional right and backing. This has been subject of debate and discussion since even the Second Republic and I think it should be made a reality now. If the traditional rulers are given constitutional rights as a law of the federation, it will give them the morale to perform their functions and roles effectively the more. When you talk about insecurity in Nigeria, the traditional rulers are supposed to be the chief security officers of their communities but they are handicapped to a large extent because there is no constitutional backing for them to assume that role in essence. They play the role more like advisory because there is no solid footing for such assignment. It is risky to assume some roles which you don’t have any solid backing for.  But nevertheless, the traditional rulers have been playing their role at least to ensure that their community remains peaceful and organised.

You are preparing for a grand Ofala festival after 38 years on the throne. Why have you not celebrated Ofala for a long time now?

Ofala festival of a monarch is not an everyday thing. It involves a lot of factors-physical, spiritual and psychological. You also hold an Ofala hinging on something tangible to celebrate. I’ve marked the new yam festival severally and on a low scale but it is not a grand ceremony like the Ofala. So this time, we decided to roll out the drums to usher into the New year on January 2nd   next year this grand Ofala festival and thanksgiving. I felt that I’ve come of age on the throne because 38 years is not 38 days. I decided to use this occasion to mark the unveiling of my biography, my life story, the trials and triumphs etc. I also have the intention of establishing a trust fund to create an indelible legacy in the whole of Enugu-Ezike town as a whole after the ceremony.

What are we expecting from the grand celebration?

There are many exciting line-up of activities and the array of distinguished personalities who shall grace the occasion. The most significant and historic of them all is the planned royal visit and pilgrimage to Ufu Ezikeoba. This is the symbolic fountain of Ezike-Oba, the progenitor of Enugu-Ezike town. The first traditional ruler in Enugu-Ezike, Eze nwa Onoja sent me as an emissary to that Ufu Ezike in Ekoyi, a boundary between Enugu-Ezike and Iheaka people. I represented him then and we later divided into four autonomous communities before we grew to 36 communities. I am going back there in a historic move because there is a historical tree planted there by Ezikeoba himself. We have ancestral land there and these things have historical meanings and symbolism which the present generation doesn’t know. We go there on a pilgrimage and the funny thing is that some youths rose and wanted to annex the historical land and covet it for their personal use. They even dragged us to court to contest ownership of the place but we defeated them because facts are sacred.  The people of Ekoyi who wanted to annex the place later realised their folly and came back for peace. We had an amicable settlement and demarcated boundaries there, which is binding on both communities. Presently, the historic land has been shared according to communities in Enugu Ezike who are in correct standing with the elders in council of Enugu Ezike led by the oldest surviving man known as Onyishi Ezikeoba.

So who are the expected dignitaries expected on the Ofala Day?      

The Ofala ceremony has the backing of the people of Enugu Ezikeoba in Diaspora and Igbo-Eze North Youths for Development.  Members of this group are coming home in their numbers and will also accompany me to the Ufu Ezikeoba pilgrimage.  There are some eminent personalities who shall be conferred with deserving chieftaincy titles. These are people of unquestionable character who have been screened by the relevant government agencies and cleared by even the Secret Service for the honours. The Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah is the Special Guest of Honour that day. He is coming to see his people while our people will also welcome him in grand style. Other government functionaries in Enugu State and beyond are also expected, including first class traditional rulers like the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe.

What is your message to the government and to your people as you mark this milestone?

The Enugu State Government and the Governor, Dr Peter Mbah should be praised and supported immensely to succeed more and more. His administration has made significant and profound impact in governance with solid achievements. His Smart School Initiative is a novelty which we have not seen before now. Our community Aji is a beneficiary and when you behold the school, you will marvel. The project is an example of a legacy project. The development cuts across all parts of the state and we can only say kudos to the governor and to let him know that our people are solidly behind him. 

The road renewal project of the governor is also making serious impact. I discovered that good road network promotes accessibility and also prevents criminal attack by the marauding herders who kidnap people. Governor Mbah is a security expert and he is deploying all arsenals in his disposal to combat insecurity in Enugu State. My message to the people is for them to support Governor Mbah fully to succeed and do more. When someone is doing all these for the people, who else will you turn to and support other than an incumbent who has justified the confidence reposed on him by the people?