Jubilation: Umulewe Community Reaffirms Support for Traditional Ruler, Eze Duru as he Empowers Indigenes

ThankGod Emeh…

The Good people of Umulewe Autonomous Community, Ideato South local government area of Imo state on Wednesday September 3, 2025 weathered storms to rally round their Traditional Ruler, Eze Benignus Okwudiri Duru (Ononobi Nochiriobi, Enyi 2 of Umulewe) to mark his Annual empowerment programme, noting that he is a leader per excellence who believes and works for peace and shared prosperity at all times.

The support given to Eze B.O. Duru by the indigenes were second to none as people across ages and social lines trooped out en masse, devoid handful appointments to mark the day with their high esteemed Traditional Ruler, who according to them, has lived up to humanitarian calls to better the lives of indigent youths, and widows as well as other members of the community.

Women and youth groups present at the occasion could not hold back their excitements as they showered words of  prayers and loyalty to Eze Duru, further describing him as the hope of the people whose human faced leadership has transformed the community.

The annual empowerment programme featured cash and material empowerment packages such as bags of rice, clothings, stationery as well as Indigenous Keleke and Okonko cultural dances, and other cultural displays alongside Ezeji competition (best yam farming/harvest) marked with cash prizes of One hundred (100) thousand Naira, Fifty (50) thousand Naira, Twenty (25) Thousand Naira, Twenty (20) thousand Naira, Fifteen (15) thousand Naira and Ten (10) thousand Naira only to best yam farmers on First, Second, Third place and more basis hence the winner of the Ezeji competition received One Hundred (100,000) thousand Naira only alongside others who received their prizes instantly.

Addressing the people of the area, Eze B. O. Duru; the Ononobi Nochiriobi, Enyi 2 while expressing joy on the show of love over time as well as support for the programme, called for peaceful co-existence while praying for progress in the Community.

Eze Duru urged the people to always lead lives worthy of emulation, adding that giving and sharing is his calling hence his resolve to always reach out to the needy, and make the locality a better place for all as envisioned and laid down by his parents.

“I empower people for the call of humanity. I love peace and unity and promotes anything that brings peace in my community.

“I am fully involved and in support of anything that will benefit my people positively”

The revered Traditional Ruler expressed appreciation to God Almighty for blessing him with a virtuous wife, Ugoeze Uloma. Duru and four outstanding children whose love for the community is unconditionally encompassing, adding that they are his propelling force.

“I am thankful to God for blessing me with a God fearing wife Ugoeze Uloma Duru and four lovely children that have love for our people”

The Royal father who also thanked God for the gift of his beloved parents and people of goodwill in the community who nurtured and supported him to be a good force to reckon with, prayed for God’s abundant blessings.

Eze “Ononobi Nochiriobi” equally appreciated God for a bountiful harvest, noting that God has been faithful to the community hence the slogan of the community as a “land where Jesus reigns”.

Adding his voice, the Prime Minister of Umulewe Autonomous Community, Chief Jude Ugwuneri eulogized the traditional ruler for his leadership insight and benevolence to always come through for his subjects.

Chief Ugwuneri however prayed God to bless, guide and protect him to lead the community to greater exploits.

The first Ugoeze and mother of Ónochiriobi –the Second of Umulewe Community, Ugoeze Clementina Duru who could not contain her joy but hive signs of utmost fulfillment, prayed God to always see them through the leadership expectations of the area and beyond.

The Council of Chiefs, namely Chief Cyprain Okeosisi; Chief Martins Durumba, did not mince words to express their goodwill messages for Eze B.O Duru, while calling on all and sundry to always support the leadership of Umulewe community, without compulsion, as they advised the Traditional Ruler not to relent.

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