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The other day, Iho Dimeze ancient kingdom of Imo State rolled out the drums, and spread the red carpet, to celebrate its culture, heritage and values. It also used the opportunity of the celebration to put additional feathers on the cap of one of the illustrious sons of the community for his excellent disposition and value-addition to the society.
That day, Benjamin Chizoba Unachukwu, a seasoned engineer, was crowned and admitted into the revered council of traditional title holders of the community. The historic ceremony, which held at the Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Stadium, Iho Dimeze town, during the Dimeze Day Festival, attracted accomplished men and women from different spheres.
From the fringe of the Sahara to the Atlantic coastline, men and women, young and not-so-old, descended on the venue, showing their stuff. Bespoke attires were on display. Exquisite jewelry adorned necks. Embroidered velvet Isiagu shirts with red caps representing authority were paraded. Fashionistas stunned in matching designer shoes and bags. A whiff of perfumes rent the air. Old money and new wealth had a warm embrace.
The conviviality of the atmosphere was profound. People felt deeply connected, relaxed, and and made merry. Unachukwu was looking like a stack of cash. The senator representing Owerri West Senatorial District, Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi was among the dignitaries that graced the occasion.
Sitting there, Unachukwu evoked images of sparkling brilliance, celestial wonder and radiant joy as he was accompanied by his beautiful wife, Adaeze, to be coronated. Indeed, Unachukwu’s profile has risen greatly over the years as he impacts society with his deeds. Someone remarked that the event was “a defining chapter in the life of the accomplished professional, whose transition from the corporate boardroom to the palace square symbolises a harmonious meeting of contemporary expertise and deep-rooted traditional values.”
Come and see an intricate blend of culture and modernity, where traditional values, customs, and heritage coexist and interact with contemporary advancements and lifestyles. Rather than allowing modernity to erase tradition, this blend created a hybrid as both elements influenced and transformed each other.
Today’s people performed the routine of their forebearers with a touch of elegance and sophistication. In a way, they were saying their culture cannot die, their culture is their pride and they must preserve it.
His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Martin Chieze Amaku, Dimeze II of Iho Dimeze Ancient Kingdom, performed the royal assignment. He conferred on Unachukwu the prestigious title of High Chief Nwatayanachiyadinamma I of Iho Dimeze Ancient Kingdom. In the same ceremony, his wife was honoured with the title Lolo Udochinyerem of Iho Dimeze ancient kingdom, further cementing the family’s place within the cultural fabric of the community.
Nwatayanachiyadinamma is not an everyday affair. It’s a unique title in terms of content, character and cultural significance. It means someone who is in a robust relationship with his God.
“The chieftaincy title, deeply rooted in the customs and values of the community, represents trust, leadership and service. It was conferred on Unachukwu in recognition of his outstanding professional achievements, commitment to community development and sustained contributions to youth empowerment.”
To be sure, Benjamin Unachukwu is from a lineage renowned for engineering excellence. With more than four engineers in the Unachukwu family, his elevation reflects a long-standing tradition of discipline, service and leadership.
Speaking after the coronation, Unachukwu expressed profound gratitude to the monarch and people of Iho Dimeze for the honour. He described the title as a call to deeper service and responsibility. He pledged to uphold the kingdom’s values, promote youth empowerment and contribute to peace, unity and sustainable development.
A seasoned professional, Unachukwu has built an impressive career spanning information and communication technology, engineering services and entrepreneurship. He is the Director and Chief Executive Officer of B&J Medical Diagnosis Limited, B&J Engineering Services Solutions Limited and B&J Bush Farms, with interests across healthcare support services, engineering solutions and agribusiness.
Beyond business, he is a passionate advocate of youth empowerment. He is the pioneer of the One Youth, One Skill initiative, implemented through his non-governmental organisation, CEO Entrepreneurship Club, aimed at equipping young people with practical, income-generating skills for sustainable livelihoods.
Born on December 12, 1976, Unachukwu hails from Ikeduru Local Council of Imo State. Married to Adaeze Janejuliet (née Obodoeze) Unachukwu, he is described as disciplined, self-motivated and driven by excellence. His professional experience cuts across network administration, systems engineering, information security, airport technology systems and critical infrastructure support, with stints in aviation, oil and gas, automobile and IT consultancy sectors.
