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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Isiali is one of the communities in Ozuitem clan in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. It became an autonomous community in 2012, with late Eze Charles Udah as its first traditional ruler.
•Eze Onyemachi and wife
Following the death of its first king, the community mourned him for seven years, after which Eze Ocy Onyemachi (Ama 111) was on December 28, 2020, chosen to replace the late king.
Isiali is not only the epi-center of Ozuitem, because of its strategic location. It was gathered that it has also produced many great warriors over the years, across genders.
On December 28, 2023, Eze Onyemachi, said to be the youngest traditional ruler, in terms of age on the ascession to the throne in Ozuitem clan, held his coronation with pomp and ceremony.
Addressing his subjects and guests during the event held at Ozuitem Central School, Eze Onyemachi recalled with nostalgia, the bravery of his forefathers whom he described as great warriors and and their virtuous women.
He said: “Truly, we celebrate Isiali women, they dare where others sometimes can’t. These brave and yet loyal women of Isiali-Ozuitem have written their names on the marble that cannot be erased.”
Mentioning some of the women and the roles they played, Eze Onyemachi said with every sense of pride: “Within the ranks of Isiali-Ozuitem women, we boast of producing some of the leaders of the famous ‘Aba Women Riot’ of 1929 in the persons of Oyidiya Chukwu, Agunwa Mbah, Udeh Ireonu, Agbogho Ojukwu, Eke Okemiri, Njugbo Oji, Obaji Ibuisi and Ori Abaegbu.
Others include Ejere Ebe, Nkasi Onyeji, Uzoma Awucha, Eriji Nwaokoro Ozukwo, Oleka Oru Ohaukwu, Ovungwo Ndionyenma, Akpulaonu Okagwu, Amabua Ojoemelam, Ozuruonye Egwuonwu, Ugonma Igbombah, Ogereoma Omerimba, Erinma Emetole, Erinma Ndubuisi, Ugonma Away and Enyidiya Umezuruike.”
In extolling the exploits of these great women, the traditional ruler said they represented what the women of Isiali-Ozuitem can do in the face of danger and injustice.
Eze Onyemachi equally has words for the men folk. He said: “While we have a recent past and present, may I inform our guests that our forefathers are the bravest you can find in the Ozuitem clan.
“With brave and melodious artistry, Isiali-Ozuitem delivers the ever-eye-catching war dance by our men and beautifully crafted and rendered Amaka-Eku music/dance by our women.
“This captivating and melodious war dance music was brought to Isiali-Ozuitem by the charismatic Ebe of Ndiebe. These heroes and heroines of the past are truly who we are.”
Recounting events that culminated in his ascension of the throne of his forefathers, which he described as tortuous and sometimes stressful, Eze Onyemachi said he never dreamt of becoming a traditional ruler.
“I didn’t know I would ever give a thought of accepting to serve as your paramount ruler. That was the last thing on my mind and plan. On that eventful Sunday morning when that call came from my people, I laughed it off and gave thousands of reasons why I would not accept that honour. A lot went through my mind and I felt I was not ready to face the heat and task associated with that office,” he disclosed.
He said it took him over one year and six months to come to terms that he could not run away from the constant pestering of his people anymore. He caved in to their demand and was crowned on December 28, 2020, as the Ama 111 of Isiali-Ozuitem.
Eze Onyemachi said that although his ascension to the throne may be most recent, but that he has worked assiduously to “reinvent and reintroduce the undying and never-back-down spirit of Isiali-Ozuitem.”
To ensure security is strengthened in the community, the monarch informed that the community’s vigilante service has been reorganized and made to work more effectively.
He used the occasion of the coronation to emphasize that the doors of the community are wide open for business and indicated her readiness to partner with all development agencies who seek a reliable host. He thanked all who honoured the invitation for his coronation, including those who joined the occasion via live video streaming, particularly members of Stake High Counsel of Stafford Virginia, USA Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Those who spoke at the coronation ceremony included DIG Azubuko Udah (retd), Dr. Ken Anyalechi, PG, Ozuitem Development Union (ODU) and Chief Onwuka Egwuonwu, chairman of the occasion. They all extolled the good qualities of the traditional ruler.
They spoke in unison that for the short period Eze Onyemachi has been on the throne of his ancestors, Isiali-Ozuitem has changed for the better and urged him to continue to rule his people with the fear of God.
One of the highpoints of the ceremony was the conferment of chieftaincy titles on 32 deserving members of the community and people from other places.
