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The ancient Kingdom of Udi, in Enugu state, on December 31, 2023 got a new traditional ruler, known as Igwe.
He is Samuel Aneke, a retired deputy controller of Customs, who was the traditional prime minister of the community until his installation.
Aneke succeeded Chris Ogakwu, who died in 2020.
Secretary to the Igwe’s cabinet, Simeon Eze, administered the oath of office on Aneke, yesterday.
At a church service at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Ernest Obodo, asked the traditional ruler to see his ascension to the throne as a call to service, urging him to discharge his new responsibility without fear or favour and to see all indigenes of Udi as his subjects.
“You are, therefore, lucky to have been chosen as a man to sit on the exalted traditional throne of the Udi,” Obodo said, adding: “Your educational qualification, operational exploits, and social connection have placed the people of Udi in your care.”
Responding, Aneke appealed to the indigenes to join hands with him to restore the lost glory of Udi ancient kingdom.
He also appealed to politicians to be united, irrespective of political party affiliation, to attract government attention and infrastructural projects to the town.
Installed as the fourth Okwuluoha (spokesperson) of Udi ancient kingdom, Aneke thanked the people for finding him worthy of sitting on the traditional throne and promised to work towards uniting them as an indivisible entity.
According to him, the community would not witness much development and progress if it does not speak with one strong voice.
Aneke pledged to collaborate with the state government and wealthy individuals from Udi town to ensure youths were empowered economically through job creation.
The traditional ruler lamented that many youths and able-bodied men in the community were largely unemployed, saying he was worried about the development.
“I will ensure the peace existing in the town is sustained by all means. There should be equity and fair play; I will make sure everybody enjoys his or her right in this town.
“One of my priorities as the traditional ruler of Udi town is to ensure security of lives and property, which I consider very important,’’ Aneke said.
The retired Customs officer vowed to serve the town wholeheartedly by maintaining peaceful co-existence among the people.
In an interview, a prominent son of the community and Chairman, All Progressives Congress in Enugu State, Ugochukwu Agballah, described the coronation as a dream come true for the town.
While noting that Aneke was the people’s choice, Agballah revealed the traditional ruler was the first, in the history of Udi, to emerge unopposed as its traditional ruler
He promised to galvanise support of other indigenes of the town to enable the traditional ruler to succeed as the Okwuluoha IV of Udi ancient kingdom.
The high point of the event was the oath of office taken by Aneke, the presentation of the certificate to the Igwe’s cabinet members, and the conferment of chieftaincy titles on selected individuals.
