The traditional ruler of Abagana community His Royal Majesty, Igwe Patrick Mbamalu Okeke has called on communities, traditional rulers, stakeholders and the state government to always find lasting solution among community disputes ravaging the people. Igwe Okeke, described peace as the only tool that will unite and provide a harmonious relationship among warring communities and thus bring about faster development.
Igwe Okeke who spoke in an exclusive interview to Mark his celebration of his twenty fifth anniversary of being enthroned as the king of Abagana said there is no gain in fighting over community boundaries, killing, maiming or kidnapping of persons as a result of community dispute. According to Igwe Abagana those who engage in such ill treated act of vandalism and killing will only bring misfortune and delay the peace and progress of that community.
Speaking on his 25th years journey on the throne, Igwe Abagana explained that the celebration was borne out of God’s blessings, guidance and protection in his life as the paramount Igwe for over a decade. Some died during their 5th year or 10th year of kinship, so I thank God for life. “That is why I am calling on the people, to come and rejoice with me, there will be special dance, cultural parades, masquerades, goods and drinks to entertain everyone.
There will also be church service to give thanksgiving to God Almighty. So the people of Abagana and the general public invited”. Advising, Igwe Abagana noted that the people should be mindful of the kind of person they choose to represent them. He called on community members to seek humane, loving and responsible persons in their choice of Selection. He also advised the youths to engage in vocational skill acquisition, while calling on philanthropic individuals to empower these youths who have learned one trade or skill so that they will become productive members of the society. He equally used the opportunity to call on all indigenes of Abagana to embrace peace, seek for peace and always say good of your community as it will keep driving the community into positive lanes.
Igwe Patrick Mbamalu Okeke was born out five children as the last of son of Nwaokafor Nnayelugo who died on the early days of his years. Before his demise, he humbly gave the name Mbamalu as a symbol of remembrance of his existence on planet earth. Igwe Abagana in 1952 when he finished elementary 5, left his education after few year he left for it and and proceeded to farming in Enugu. From there in Enugu, he decided to learn carpentry work, where he learnt the act of upholstery and then he became popular in 1959 till 1967 when the Nigeria civil war broke out and he took refuge at port Harcourt, Rivers state where he had some friends.
Then at Port Harcourt, he continued his carpentry profession where he eventually joined a company and began to get contract. It was during this period that he was able to save upto 5,000pounds which layer fave him the lift to greater prosperity. When the war ended in 1971, he met an Indian friend, Dr Atidain, who introduced him to bigger contracts and even had to relocate to University of Nsukka were he received a bigger contract that led him to registering his business name, Mbamalu construction and furniture construction limited. During these years of practicality, Igwe Abagana was known for integrity and committed to business that he grew from strength to strength.
He worked various government contracts including the ministry of works, individual and top politicians. In 1978, he migrated to Enugu where he finally settle on one of his plots of Land he had acquired before the war broke out at the rate of 130pounds. He sold two at the rate of 800pounds, developed one and kept one till date. Speaking on how his journey to kinship in Abagana, Igwe mbamalu noted that the igweship tussle in Abagana lasted for over ten years before he was finally crowned as the Royal Majesty, Igwe of Abagana. As at the time the late igwe died, Abagana was ruled by the town Union government. I was at my residence in Enugu when some respected elders in the community visited me and told me that I was the person appointed to rule Abagana community.
But it was another tug of war as some individuals in the community refused and the matter was in court till I won and was crowned. My forefather was Kings,xEze Nwankwo, Ezeabata and Tagbo, these where descendant of the Royal lineage, which after them I took over. During my year of rulership, I stood on the truth as the custodian of the people and I took advice from my Royal cabinet’s which I made final decisions on matters of importance.
Highlighting his achievements, he listed the renovation of erosion sites, settlement of peace among neighbouring communities, Ifitedunu and Umunachi, building of the customary Court. Special thanks goes to Late Sir Joe Nwankwo, Packs and Jerk, Oba Odejulugo, Engr Arthur Eze (Ezenukpo), my wife and children as well as those I could not mention for want of time, for their unalloyed support, encouragement and love in the course of discharging my duties.