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Achina celebrates cultural heritage, bestows Chieftaincy titles on 17 personalities

 

Igwe Obiora inspecting his team of cabinet chiefs and others. 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu


Achina community in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State recently celebrated their 2024 Ofala festival with 17 notable personalities honoured with Chieftaincy titles befitting their contributions to society.

Chief Osita Chidoka and other guests

Photos and videos

The awardees, including Chief Emeka Dimude, Chief Sebastian Ezechukwu, Chief Kenechukwu Obieli, Engr. Cletus Ezenwa and Cyril Okpala, have distinguished themselves as philanthropists and humanitarians through execution of various projects within and outside the community.



Speaking on the chieftaincy titles bestowed on the individuals, the Traditional Prime minister of Achina,  Ichie Bar. K C. Ezeanyika, said they were eminent personalities chosen due to their various contributions to society, adding that none paid a Kobo or solicited for the award.

Igwe Obiora and cabinet


"We are recognising them because they have distinguished themselves in various ways. We recognise excellence and wish to use it to encourage others to strive towards achieving excellence in whatever they do. We don't collect money to give chieftaincy titles to people," he stated. 



Achina also used the opportunity to induct new age grades as well as celebrate some Achina individuals at diaspora who had consistently remembered home with various developmental projects, education and others.



The 4th Ofala festival cum 14 years anniversary of the monarch, Igwe Nnaemeka Godwin Obiora, equally featured masquerades and cultural dance displays from troupes across the country, depicting the rich cultural heritage of the ancient community and collaborating their relationships with other communities.



The event chaired by the former Minister of Aviation, Chieft Osita Chidoka, also had in attendance the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, Anambra State government functionaries, friend and natives of the community living within and outside the country.



According to Igwe Obiora, the event was aimed at thanking God for life, health, peace and progress He bestows on Achina indigenes, while showcasing their rich cultural heritage.



He further praised the Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo for connecting Achina to neighbouring communities with networks of roads, while mitigating their erosion problems and other challenges.


Igwe Obiora therefore urged the natives to support the present administration with its developmental strides, peace and progress of Anambra State, while emphasising the needs for unity of purpose.


"Achina is a peaceful community. We don't steal or kidnap. We are very happy people. We are happy for the networks of roads and other infrastructural development the present administration of governor Chukwuma Soludo has brought to our dear town. We will support the administration in building a watertight security and others," he added.


Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, commended Achina for supporting their traditional institution, which according to him, would help in rebuilding and repositioning the community as Igbo believe in collective and consensus leadership.


"This is a sign that Achina are solidly behind him. The implications is that they have reaffirmed their loyalty to him, culture and traditions. This will always make him to look back, think of them and relate well with the community. As you reflect at the past, focus on ways forward because tomorrow is the most important. 


"Culture is not static but dynamic as we learn from other cultures and will continue to be civilised. Igbo have a rich cultural heritage, glorious past and rich future as true democrat. We believe in freedom, not on holding people hostage. I want to urge you to sustain the tempo. This will bring a lasting solution, and development," he noted.


On insecurity, Chidoka urged the Igbo nation to embrace peace as according to him, the Igbo were not known for killings but as industrious, peaceful, accommodating and lovely. 


"Tell your brothers and sisters that we are hardworking people. We are not known for killings and kidnapping. There is no home of community in ìgbo land you will come today and they will show a successful retired kidnapper, killer or criminal. We make money through hardworking. But you can see the house or someone who retired as a successful business man or civil servant.


"Let us renew our commitment in building a successful society where love, peace and unity will rule forever by joining hands in fighting insecurity. That is the only way Igbo land will be save for us. You remember that when someone is pursued at the foreign land, he will return to his home country. If we don't fight kidnapping, killings and other criminalities, where would will run to as homes when we are pursued abroad?" he added.


Speaking in separate interviews, some of the chieftaincy titles awardees, Chief Emeka Dimude, Chief Sebastian Ezechukwu, Chief Kenechukwu Obieli, Engr. Cletus Ezenwa and Cyril Okpala, expressed happiness over the honour, noting that it would increase their commitment towards humanity and development of Achina.

Emeka Dimude


Chief Emeka Dimude, who was described as a quiet person by the monarch while bestowing Ifedioranma on him, noted that he was delighted over the kind gesture despite his earlier plan to reject the offer.


"I don't know why my Community chose to honour me. But this will make me to do more in supporting my community development in many ways. We will do more works as God provide us with enormous resources. It is about serving humanity. The little you have should be used for others goods.  This Ofala was unique, the best so far, and we hope for greater ones to come," he added.


 On his part, Nze Cyril Okpala, who translated his title to English as pride of the people, described the honour bestowed at him as a sign of love and inspiration for him to do more for humanity.


"They chose me even when I am not the best but because they loved me. I have been a supporter of community growth and development from childhood. I will not relent now. I pray that our children will learn from us and stand up to support in uplifting our community," he added. 


He further urged people to use whatever they have in developing their communities rather than waiting for the government because according to him, the Igbo people were known for freedom and Industriousness.

Engr Cletus Ezenwa


Contributing, Chief Engr Cletus Ezenwa, while appreciating the monarch and Achina people for the honour, assured that he would use his contacts and experiences to work towards rehabilitating some of the link roads in Achina, as well as attracting more development soonest.

Kenechukwu Obieli


Also speaking, Chief Obieli Ekenedilichukwu, honoured with a chieftaincy title for spearheading infrastructural development in Achina, said he would do more because home is solace.


To Chief Sebastian Ezechukwu, whose late father inspired into charity and medical practise, said he was impressed with the Ofala and chieftaincy title bestowed on him, and would reciprocate by doing more to better humanity.


"The Ofala is a symbol of progress in Achina, and I can assure you that it will continue to bring us more progress. My contributions to Achina is not about being rich but motivation, love and passion to charity. I pray to do more as long as God keeps and empowers me," he added.

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