The Ezeship stool brouhaha which engulfed Umuororonjo, Amawom, Umuodu, Umueche and Umuonyima autonomous community in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area of Imo State, has come to an end, as the community unanimously coronated their new traditional ruler, HRH, Eze Fred Ohiri Njemanze, Ozuruigbo VI.
The coronation ceremony took place on Sunday, at the community hall, Owerri, amid funfair. HRH, Eze Fred Ohiri Njemanze, Ozuruigbo the 6th of Owerri, succeeded late HRM, Eze Dr. Pharm. Emmanuel Emenyeonu Njemanze, Ozuruigbo the 5th of Owerri.
Addressing the crowd after the coronation rites, Eze Fred Ohiri Njemanze, vowed that he would restore peace and unity at the community, saying he is going to work in cordiality with all genuine persons including relevant stakeholders to be able to bring back peace, love, oneness and orderliness to the people with a view to advancing economic and social prosperity which he mentioned the people were known for prior to the balkanization of Owerri Nchise by the Rescue Mission led regime.
The retired Judge told his people not to cry wolf again, for he would not let them down nor allow them see shame provided they remain godly, tolerant and committed to the cause and progress of the community, hinting that Owerri people are resourceful, hospitable, friendly and humane. According to the monarch, “do not cry again, the storm is over. I will reconcile all warring people: husbands and wives, families and groups because when we live in peace and unity we are going to progress and glow in joy and comfort.
We will use joy to survive Rochas Okorochas’ trouble against us. We will also use spiritual means to flush out any evil in Owerri Nchise. By the grace of God God these things shall be feasible”. He maintained that “osita dimma. Because when it is good for us all those around us will also benefit. Under my reign we shall not lack anything. I will not fear anybody while doing the right thing for my subjects.
All hands must be on deck to move forward and restore the dignity of Owerri people, as old bad things shall pass away and new good things come on board. All these things I said I must do them with the full cooperation and support of my people and above all God’s wisdom and strength”.
Eze Njemanze while urging non-indigenes living in Owerri Municipal Council not to bring trouble to the people, who he reiterated are peace- loving, magnanimous and cordial in nature, stressed that he would ensure that the political privileges or rights of the people of Owerri are firmly met by the Imo State Government, asking the government to threat Owerri communities with love, respect and dignity, not with levity nor hatred as it has previously done. He expressed gladness over the love and encomiums poured on him by his people and his friends, thanking them immensely for celebrating him, as well as their prayers and gifts.
Encouraging the people on continued togetherness, calmness and harmony, member representing Owerri Municipal Council in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Solomon Anukam, thumbed up for them for choosing a sound and charismatic monarch. “When the righteous is on the throne of leadership the people rejoice. Eze Fred Ohiri Njemanze is a righteous king who has been tested and trusted in several leadership capacities by the people and government. With him Owerri Nchise is marching forward”.
In their separate reactions, a retired police officer, ASP Ignatius Iwuji and High Chief Dr. Lawrence Amadi, declared that “the Ezeshi coronation ceremony was very fantastic because the feat shows that life is going to be well and appetizing with all sons and daughters of Owerri Nchise. We heartily accepted and welcomed him to be our Eze. We will purely support him and work with to achieve collective objective that will advantageous to all persons irrespective of class or background. Let him carry everyone along in the scheme of things. Let there be no quarrels too. Go and deliver your people, for God is always your guard and guide. Fear not”.
Adding their voices, Sir Murphy Emeto and village head of Umuodu, Odueze Augustine Anozie Emeto, stated that they were extremely happy about the Ezeship coronation ceremony as the development was a thing of joy for the entire community, Owerri Zone and Imo State at large. They described Eze Fred Ohiri Njemanze as a dynamic and pragmatic leader who is exceptional, an incorruptible Judge with democratic spirit. “Owerri people are happy to witness the good thing that came to us.
We sincerely pray to God to continue to sustain him and give him more wisdom to viably lead us well as he promised.” Among personalities who graced the Ezeship coronation ceremony were Barr. Prince Ken Njemanze, Prince Bob Njemanze, Hon. Solomon Anukam, member representing Owerri Municipal Council in Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Chukwuma Ekomaru, former Commissioner of Information, Imo State. The ceremony was given more coloration by masquerades displays and different traditional dances by women and youth groups of the community including traditional gunshots.
