Nze Title Holders Grace Obi Royal Family Day in Emekuku …Vow to Guard Traditions in Communities

BY CHINEDU MAX EGERE…

The ‘Nze’ title holders in Owerri Federal constituency who are operating under the aegis of ‘Nze Oratta’ stormed Emekuku in Owerri North LGA to grace the annual occasion of Obi Royal family day, a unique ceremony meant for the commemoration of the Christian missionary movement that historically took off from the royal family compound in 1912 under the reign of late Eze Obi Ejeshi Ajoku Abuba.

The occasion commenced with a centenary Mass performed by a group of Catholic priests.

Our investigations reveal that it is an annual event that has “July 13” as its date specifically for the celebration as it should be recalled that the Obi Royal family played a key role to usher in the Christian missionaries that subsequently led to the spread of Christianity to all parts of the old Easter Region comprising South /East and South/South states. This was also reported to give room for the establishment of churches and schools.

Speaking at their reception, the President-General of the Nze Title holders otherwise named Nze Oratta, Okenze Angus Ogbuehi said that their group is traditionally and morally disposed to play their part towards guarding the traditions and customs of Igbo race in the various communities making up Owerri Federal constituency which he insisted will go a long way in checking the widely observed backslidings in the maintenance attitudes over the traditions and customs in the communities.

Okenze Ogbuehi who hails from Orogwe-Umuoha in Owerri West narrated that the Nze Title holders would always target at peace and unity in the communities which according to him will only be evoked by the guard of the customs and traditions.

Also lending his voice, Nze Athan Okpor who is also an Eze-Elect of his community as well as the Public Relations Officer of Nze Oratta reminded the Nze Title holders that their divinely traditional roles were traced to the old testament scriptures of the Bible as similar to the “judges” which he said were in existence long before the introduction of Ezeship or Kingship.

Nze Okpor advised Nze Title holders to be upright while toeing the line of justice and fairness in their communities. He said that if there could be a coin heaven where the angels fought and also the creation of light and darkness by God Almighty he therefore saw no reason to be surprised in such similar cases in the communities and families as according to him, there is hope to overcome such factors by the grace of God.

In his welcome address, Nze Reginald Obi, the First son of the late Eze Peter Ugochukwu Obi spoke on behalf of the royal family maintaining that Emekuku is a great kingdom that must be on the track of law and order as enshrined by God Almighty and that for the purpose of enjoying communal tranquility and togetherness, ‘’truth shall not be swept under the carpet since only the truth shall set us free’’.He declared.

The late Eze Peter Obi

Nze Reginald Obi recalled how his late royal father, Eze Ugochukwu Obi founded Nze Oratta with the aim as to attract the spirit of oneness and strength of the communities in Owerri Federal constituency that is anchored on the knowledge of tradition.

Nze Obi said that Umu Obi Royal family has her traditional processes specifically for the selection of a monarch under the famous hereditary system of Emekuku that has been in existence since the commencement of the royal throne and that he had the backing of the principal members of Obi royal family over his choice.

Corroborating the clear position of Nze Reginald Obi, another principal member of Obi Royal family, Nze Bruno Obi who is also a key official of Nze Oratta said that the fact surrounding the traditional process for the selection of the ‘Eze’ in Emekuku cannot be over-emphasized as he maintained that the principal members of Obi Royal family would first select one of their own for the stool of which according to him had been done peacefully before the traditional presentation to the community.

Nze Bruno said everything about the step-by-step process had been vividly stated by them devoid of ambiguity in adherence with the tradition of the community.

Both Okenze Benjamin Ihenacho, the longest serving Nze in Emekuku and also the Chairman of Obi Royal family, Nze Enyeribe Obi raised their voices on the revered tradition of Emekuku that strictly trails the process of selecting the Eze of Emekuku and also the key roles of the principal members of Obi royal family as is sticks to their hereditary system.

They also disclosed how the constitution of Emekuku was twisted and doctored by some desperate persons to favour their selfish interests to the detriment of Obi royal family and Emekuku community.

Earlier during the centenary Mass in the compound, a group of Catholic priests had called on Obi Royal dynasty to adopt the measures of peace aware of the significant history of the Christian missionary movement which had its first port of call at Obi Royal family praising the royal family for their steadfastness in the annual celebration of the Obi royal family day.