By SUCCESS UCHIME
Eze (Prof.) Chukwuemeka Ike, the Eze Ikelionwu X1, the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu, Orumba North, Anambra State has praised the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willy Obiano for the donation of N20 million to the community.
Eze (Prof.) Chukwuemeka Ike during the 2016 Iriji Festival Ndike
Photo by: Ogene
The Eze stated this during the 2016 New Yam (Iriji) festival of the town held in Ndikelionwu on September 4, “we express immense appreciation to His Excellency, our dear State Governor, for the N20 million he is providing for the development projects in the town.”
According to
him, the fund will be used to complete the ongoing work on the town’s hall and
the fencing of the health center adding that the Eze-in-Council is determined
to ensure the
transparent use of the fund in order to yield maximum benefit to
the town and its people.
He urged Ndikelionwu indigenes to offer direct labor
as well as professional service and building materials to the contractors
handing the projects to ensure they also benefit individually from the project.
Eze Ikelionwu also appreciated Gov. Obiano for the
impressive, invaluable support given to him during the 2015 commemoration of
his Golden Jubilee as a published Creative Writer.
He recapped that following a state-wide appeal by
the Government for donation of land for development projects, Ndikelionwu
offered a large expanse of land to the Government noting that nothing has been
done in the recent time to kick-start the project.
“We urge speedy resolution of any obstacles, to
enable both the Government and our people to benefit from the economic
development of the town. The extensive parcels of land offered are Ndikelionwu’s
food basket, the food producing villages of Aronota, Okpunifite and Umuochu.
These food producing villages have one glaring need in common. They need
motorable roads for the evacuation of their products” he stated.
On the 2016 Iri ji Ndike Festival, the Eze Ikelionwu
observed that because Ndikelionwu developed from an agricultural community with
yam as its dominant crop, the two festivals, Ikeji festival held in March/April
at the start of the yam planting season and Iriji festival on the first
Saturday in September, at the onset of yam harvest are tied to yam cultivation.
He noted that with the advent and spread of
Christianity in Igboland, some modifications have been made over the years to
modify or eliminate objectionable elements, assuring their Christian guests
that the Iriji Ndikelionwu is devoid of pagan practices.
He said that one unique feature of this year’s
festival is the title conferment ceremony, adding that due to the monetization
of title awards in many communities, as well as their Aro culture and
tradition, they have not been unduly anxious to rush into the conferment of
titles.
Eze Ikelionwu noted that nine eminent indigens of
Ndikelionwu, eight men and a woman, who have demonstrated untiring commitment
to the welfare of the community, have been considered and are being conferred with
the ultimate honor and title of Ugwu Ndikelionwu, the Pride of Ndikelionwu.
Ogene notes that the awardees include: Mazi Peter
Ilora, an educationist and former
Secretary General of the Town’s Union, Sir Samuel Nwafor, the Ezeogo Obunikpa
and a retired Permanent Secretary, Mazi Peter Nwankwo, an Estate Surveyor &
Valuer, and one-time Lagos branch Chairman of the Town’s Union, Chief (Dr.)
Uche Nwene, a medical doctor and retired General Manager, Hospital Services,
Nigeria Natioanl Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Others are: Sir Nwabuonu Ogbaji, a serving
Permanent Secretary with Anambra State Government and one-time President
General, Igwebuike Age Grade, Ndikelionwu, Mazi Umezurike Okereke, a Chatered Accountant and a retired
Auditor with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Patron,
St. Margaret Anglican Church, Ndikelionwu, Dr. Obinani Okoli an Associate Professor and former
Palace Secretary of Eze Ikelionwu X1 of Ndikelionwu, Sir (Engr.) Emma Kanu a
retired Principal Manager with Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), now
Enugu Electric Distribution Company (EEDC), and the only woman conferred with
the title, Chief Edna Nwobi (nee Ogbanufe), retired Director, Industrial Trust Fund
(ITF) and Founder& Chairman, Edna Nwobi Diabetic Care Foundation
(Endicare).
