It was a memorable day for the entire people of Oginigba community as they rolled the drums to celebrate the 17th installation anniversary of His Royal Highness, Eze Ambassador, Dr. B. G. Odum (JP) Igwugwu Oha 1, as paramount ruler/Nyewe Eli Oginigba community.
It was the 1st anniversary installation of his new chiefs.
The ceremony took place at the palace of HRH Eze B.G. Odum, at Obio/Akpor local government area.
Among the seven new chiefs that were installed was Purtorio Marco, a whiteman, as the Eze Ugo 1 of Oginigba community.
Others are, Chief Richard Amadi, Okeah 1 of Okeah family, Gold Ebere Eriri Nwene, Toro-Ogologo 1 of Oginigba, Philimon Nwenenda Amadi Chimeni, Eze 1 of Oginigba, Collin Odum, Eyika 1 of Oginigba, Joseph Badu Buotu, Iwikwo 1 of Oginigba and Richard Omere Ibe, Akubueze 1 of Oginigba.
In his speech, the paramount ruler gave God the glory for celebrating his 17th installation anniversary as paramount ruler/Nyewe Eli of Oginigba and 1st anniversary of installation of his new chiefs, describing the ceremony as unique and epochal.
According to him, “My journey to the kingship of my community began on December 16, 1994, when the Lord Almighty found me worthy of the throne, with my installation as Igwugwu-oha 1, Paramount ruler/Nyewe Eli Oginigba by His Royal Majesty, Eze, Ambassador, Sir. Dr. Frank Eke, JP, CON, Eze Oha Evo II of Evo kingdom. That singular event marked a turning point in the history of Oginigba, as Oginigba has continued to move forward.”
Eze Odum who noted that the event was significant to him due to the fact that despite many challenges that had confronted the community, he remained undaunted, working assiduously to deliver on the mandate of ensuring good and purposeful governance to the community and rendering value-oriented service to his People.
He pointed out that a lot have been achieved within the period under review to the joy of all Oginigba People, assuring that with God on his side more would be achieved.
The paramount ruler expressed pleasure that for 17 years he was on the throne, Oginigba has never been involved in any crises of tumultuous dimension that has led to lose of life and destruction of properties, neither have her youths been involved in youth restiveness.
According to him, “It is obvious and natural that there is no community that is crisis free and Oginigba community is not exception, but we have been able to manage very well whatever friction we may have due to the goodwill of those who have been assisting in the administration of the community, adding that Oginigba community is blessed with companies which could have made Oginigba to be involved in crises, but they were not.
He said the glaring achievement was due to the wisdom of the Eze-in-council and the undivided loyalty, maximum support, co-operation and good understanding of the chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, CDC, youths and others.
The monumental support, he said, called for thanksgiving and celebration.
He further disclosed that many indigenes of the community have been empowered through gainful employment, some have been trained in skills acquisition and scholarship awarded to deserving studying students to further their education, adding that he would do his best for the betterment of the area.
Eze Odum disclosed that the essence of installing another set of illustrious sons of the community including the foreigner in his cabinet for various chieftaincy titles was to enable him enlarge his cabinet and bring about lasting peace and reconciliation.
He advised then to walk the path of other chiefs that have consistently worked towards the peace, love, unity, progress and development of the community.
He appealed to companies in the area to always identify themselves with the community in terms of employment of sons and daughters of the community.
He commended governor Amaechi for his People-oriented projects across the state and Prince Timothy Nsirim for impacting lives of the people positively in the LGA and thanked all who graced the occasion.
Earlier in his speech Hon. Timothy Nsirim the chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA described the event as victory celebration, stressing that despite all the challenges that confronted Eze G. B Odum on his throne as the paramount ruler/Nyewe Eli Oginigba community he was able to subdue them.
Hon. Henry Odum the leader of Obio/Akpor legislative assembly charged the people of Oginigba not to act like Absalom, the son of David in the scripture, who challenged his father the anointed king, stressing that Eze Odum throne was a divine one which no man can remove accept God.
He commended Eze Odum for his leadership quality and enjoined people of the area to support him to achieve his desired target and congratulated the newly installed chiefs, stressing that the community appreciated the service of the white man who worked in the area and the people of Oginigba community in their support for the paramount ruler to move the area forward.
Those who graced the occasion include, Rev. S. D. Ojims proprietor Ojims Groups of Christian Schools, Eze Dr. Frank Eke, Eze Sir, Dr. Sam Ejims, the Paramount Ruler of Rumuomasi, Sir. Chief Eric Assor, the Okwurume 1 of Oropotoma Kingdom and a host of others.
The highlight of the occasion was the traditional dances, shooting of canons, among others. ###
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