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| The monarch and his wife |
By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
The palace of Obi Enugwu Umuonyia, HRM, Igwe Peter Nebechukwu Ezeamama, Onyia Di Ike was filled to capacity as he celebrated his 7th Ofalla festival and his 22nd year on the throne amidst pomp and pageantry.
The event which attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including top government functionaries traditional rulers, captains of industry, businessmen and women, Cabinet Chiefs, Umu Ada Enugwu Umuonyia, delegates from Akokwa clan, and a host of others too numerous to mention.
In his address from the throne, Igwe Ezeamama expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR for developing the State across all sectors, and achieving remarkable milestones in just two years.
"Your commitment to education is evident in your recruitment of over 8,000 teachers and the provision of free education to pupils and secondary school students in the State regardless of their state of origin is a rare feat in our nation today ", Igwe Ezeamama observed.
Continuing, the Royal Father of Enugwu Umuonyia also commended the State Governor for his many people oriented projects in the State, including the employment of over 3,000 healthcare workers and renovating 375 healthcare facilities across the State, while appreciating the construction of the Ezira-Umuomaku-Enugwu Umuonyia -Achina Road which cuts across the agrarian parts of Orumba South Council Area.
He however, appealed for the less than 7 kilometres Umuchu-Achina-Enugwu Umuonyia -Agbudu-Onneh road that leads to the Peter University in Achina/Onneh to be included in his ongoing road project plans.
While acknowledging the challenges of insecurity and hardship in the society, Igwe Ezeamama stressed the need for the people to eschew crime and criminality by engaging in meaningful activities, and embrace agriculture which he said is a lucrative source of income and called on the good people of Enugwu Umuonyia to love one another and harmoniously develop their community.
Earlier in the Holy Mass to herald the Ofala festival, Rev. Fr. Patrick Okeke of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Enugwu Umuonyia stated that love is a uniting force and the Key to a happy family, adding that selfishness undermines community progress, while love which he said is manifested in sacrifice builds the family, community and the Church.
In their goodwill messages, the Mayor of Aguata Local Government Area, Prince Dr. Chibueze Oforbike, the younger brother to Igwe Ezeamama, Prince Rommy Ezeamama, and the Member representing Ogbaru 1 in the State House of Assembly, Hon Noble Igwe extolled Igwe Ezeamama for his visionary leadership in Enugwu Umuonyia which they said is setting a standard for generations to come, and wished him many more years on the throne.
On her part, the wife of Igwe Ezeamama, Lolo Dr. Ifeyinwa Ezeamama (Ocheze) congratulated her husband, Igwe P. N. Ezeamama for marking his 7th Ofalla festival and his 22nd year on the throne, while praising God for his divine mercies on their family and the entire people of Enugwu Umuonyia over the years
In a vote of thanks, the President General, Enugwu Umuonyia Development Union, Mr. Izundu Azubuike commended Igwe Ezeamama for his transformational leadership which has earned him the love of all his subjects, and prayed God to grant him good health and long life.
The event featured conferment of chieftaincy titles to deserving individuals, Royal dance by Igwe Ezeamama, payment of homages, masquerade displays and cultural dances.