By Val Nduka
The Coronation of His Royal Highness Eze Chiedozie Matthew Nwokoma, the Okaa Omee IV of Umuokanne, has taken place recently at the Central School field, Umuokanne, in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state, with his subjects and the invited guests displaying jubilating mood in all the nooks and crannies of the event centre.
The event which attracted various people from different walks of life saw the traditional ruler and his Cabinet members clad in their different gorgeous attires.
The occasion commenced at about 3.15pm, with a well co-ordinated procession that was led by all the White-Clad Cabinet Chiefs that ushered in HRH Eze Chiedozie Matthew Nwokoma into the event venue, with 21 cannon gunshots that served as a symbol of an entry of a renowned acceptable king into the crowd.
The Coronation Occasion of Eze Nwokoma was held in conjunction with the celebration of 50 years of Nwokoma Dynasty in Umuokanne Ancient Autonomous Community.
Presenting an address prior to the execution of the Coronation exercise, the President-General of Umuokanne Development Union, Comrade Ekeh Chima, described Umuokanne as the most peaceful and hospitable Community in East of the Niger, with her stance on truth and promotion of Christianity.
He submitted that the promotion of Christian doctrines by the people of Umuokanne induced many churches to establish their Headquarters theirin, maintaining that the richness of the cultural heritage of his people could not be over-emphasized.
He commended the state governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, for giving Eze Nwokoma a staff of Office that actually endorsed his recognition.
Ekeh prayed God to grant their new traditional ruler the needed wisdom and long life to enable him carry on with his reign that would diligently attract rapid development to his people, calling on all the subjects to accord their traditional ruler the necessary support for his desired success.
He equally commended the Coronation Organizing Committee, ably led by Chief Engr.Raymond Ogara,for a good job well done, irrespective of the allotted short period of time.
In a brief speech, the celebrant, HRH Eze Nwokoma, thanked the attended invitees for gracing the occasion, describing his Community as the ‘London of Imo State’.
He posited his readiness to follow the directives of God in his reign, adding that Umuokanne Community would continue to be crime-free and peaceful.
In her own contribution, the wife Of Eze Nwokoma, Ugoeze Ngozi Ijeoma Testimony Nwokoma, referred her husband as a great achiever and a wonderful man who would always strive for successes in all his endeavours, stressing that God should be thanked for achieving a successful Coronation exercise in Umuokanne Community.
In his own speech, the Chairman of the occasion, HRH Eze Samson Okwudimma, the Igwe Ohazurume Nneato Obibi Ochasi of Orlu Local Government Area and the Chairman of Orlu Council Of Traditional Rulers, described Eze Chiedozie Nwokoma as an examplary traditional ruler who should adequately be taken care of by his people.
The high points of the event were the execution of the Coronation ‘rituals’ on Eze Nwokoma by HRM Eze Emmanuel C. Okeke, the Chairman of Imo State Council Of Traditional Rulers and Community Policing and the issuance of Chieftaincy titles on some deserving personalities that included Hon.Marcel Amadioha (Sole Administrator of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area), Engr.Chikezie Nwosu, Chief Roland Onyeaghala, Osita Akumefula, Mr. Francis Obi and a host of others.
The Chairman of the Ohaji/ Egbema Council Of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Emmanuel Aso, was also in attendance.
