By Anselm Anokwute
May 28 (Newshour.com.ng) – It was a moment of jubilations as the people of Okwudor Autonomous Community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State joyfully presented their Eze-Elect, Crown Prince Ibezim Collins Osunwa to the Council for government recognitions.
A Community Leader, Chief Isaac Durugbo, in his presentation speech, last Friday, May 26, 2023, at Nnenassa Njaba Local Government Area headquarters, said that, Okwudor Autonomous Community, followed by the due process to elect him as the new traditional ruler.
Chief Durugbo, further explained the historical background of the Ezeship stool in Okwudor Community and pointed out that the stool is a hereditary one which have remained traditionally solemn for the Durunwunne Family and Crown Prince Ibezim Collins Osunwa was lucky to be elected by the people at this time.
He urged the Council Authority to facilitate all the necessary documents for the onward transmissions to the State to ensure that the governor Senator Hope Uzodimma will give him Staff of Office and Certificate of Recognitions as Eze Udo of Okwudor Autonomous Community.
Responding, the Sole Administrator of Njaba Local Government Area, Chief Vitalis Ugochukwu Obi (Etiokwe) said that the presentation of Ezeship norminee to the Council is a lay down rules in line with the State established Acts bye-law guiding the making of a traditional ruler in the community.
He explained that the processes and procedures was inline with the government guidelines to facilitate the recognition of one as the traditional ruler and thereafter present him with staff of office.
He promised to deliver the message to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Local Government Area Affairs Imo State and urged the people to remained peaceful and support the government of Senator Hope Uzodimma who he described as a pragmatic Leader and a good brother of Okwudor Autonomous Community.
In his remark, the Eze-Elect, Crown Prince Ibezim Collins Osunwa, thank the people of Okwudor Autonomous Community for finding him worthy to be their traditional ruler and also thank the leadership of Njaba Local Government Area for their passionate efforts to uplift the Council.
He emphasized more on the roles of women to the growth of the society and urged the Council Boss, Chief Vitalis Ugochukwu Obi (Etiokwe) on the need for him to embrace and embarked more on women empowerment and skills acquisitions programmes.
He maintained that the only way to grow the society is to improve the women through empowerment building capacity and urged that his leadership as the traditional ruler will ensure that the women are giving a place of priorities.
He further eulogized few Okwudor women who have remained role model like, Barr. Mrs. Ngozi Odinlo (SAN), Dr. Mrs. Chinyere Ogbunnaya Onu, Former Abia State First Lady, Hon. Dr. Mrs Uju Onwudiwe, Member Representing Njaba State Constitutiency in the Imo State House of Assembly and others.
Crown Prince Ibezim therefore called on the governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma who he described as a brother and a good neighbor to the community to appoints and empower more women in his government.
Some prominent leaders in Njaba witnessed the event included former Transition Committee Chairman Njaba Local Government Area. Hon. Chief Bon Nnaka, Comd. Nneke Godwin Kemdy Director Administration and General Service (DAGS) Njaba Local Government Area, Chief Philip Vin Uzoma Ugbele Aka Community Palace Secretary and many others.
SOLAD Njaba Local Government Area Chief Vitalis Ugochukwu Obi Etiokwe and Eze-Elect Crown Prince Ibezim Collins Osunwa after his presentation in Nnenasa.