CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The Chairman of Council of Ndieze and Ezendigbo in Ijegun and Ijedodo kingdoms, Eze Chika Nwokedi, has marked his three years as Ezendigbo of the communities in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that many dignitaries converged at his Obi Chukwu palace in Ijegun to mark the event. It attracted very important personalities including the President General of Igbo Speaking community, Lagos State, Chief Sunday Udeh and his entourage.
The attendees at the epoch event also included the members of his cabinet led by the Traditional Prime Minister (Onowu), Chief Emeka Ekwuobi, members of Igbo Buru Otu, friends and wellwishers including members of his family.
Eze Nwokedi was full of gratitude to God for the celebration. According to him, there were those who were crowned as kiings but they did not last for one year before they died. But in his own case, he is celebrating and using the throne to impact the lives of the people in the society.
Eze Nwokedi, also known as Eze Okpoko of Obodo Ukwu town in Imo State, recalled that when he was asked to become the king by the Igbo Speaking community, he initially refused despite revelations through prophecies that he will be crowned a king.
He said he however, consulted God when the pressure became too much and he started making consultations. He said he got clear directive from God to accept being Ezendigbo of Ijegun and Ijedodo kingdoms and was later elected as Chairman of Council of Ezendigbo in Lagos State.
Eze Chika Nwokedi stated he has used the years on the throne to touch many people’s lives in the society including the less privileged.
He explained that one of his major achievements as Ezendigbo in Ijegun and Ijedodo kingdoms, is brokering peace and unity among the ethnic groups.
He recalled when there was serious violent conflict between the Igbo and Yoruba in Ijedodo, that he singlehandedly restored peace by contacting some security agents, which was commended by both the Oba of Ijegun and Lagos State Government. He stated that today, all the ethnic groups in Ijegun and Ijedodo kingdoms are united and living in peace and harmony.
Eze Nwokedi also explained that he had empowered over 500 women through his empowerment scheme including the less privileged in the society without any consideration of tribal, ethnic and religious affiliations.
He recalled an instance where two women gave birth of triplets and there was no money to pay hospital bills, feeding and taking care of the new born babies. He explained that he had to pay the bills and at the same time called his friends and raised over N1.2m for the family.
He also recalled that being Ezendigbo in Ijegun has been a source of blessing to the residents because he graded the road leading to his palace, dug borehole and allowed people to fetch water free of charge. He noted that being Ezendigbo comes with a lot of responsibilities because hardly a day will pass without people coming to the Palace to seek for one assistance or the other and noted that he has been doing it by the grace of God.
One of the guests, Chief Sunny Akpayibo, described Eze Chika Nwokedi as a man with a good heart who God crowned Ezendigbo to touch the lives of the people.
He noted that among the Ezendigbo in Lagos State, Eze Nwokedi is unique and has been doing what kings should be doing to their subjects.
He recalled that Eze Nwokedi did not pay anyone or group any money to become Ezendigbo, stating that when the offer for Eze Nwokedi to be crowned Ezendigbo came, he refused but he persuaded him to accept it because it was a call to serve God and humanity.
Chief Akpayibo noted since Nwokedi became Ezendigbo, he has not only changed the traditional stool of the custodian of Igbo tradition and culture but has used it as the instrument of touching live of the people in the society.
Also, the prime Minister, Onowu Emeka Ekwuobi, explained that Eze Nwokedi has impacted many lives since he became Ezendigbo and is still doing more beyond imaginations.
He recalled that he was among those who persuaded him to accept to be Ezendigbo when he rejected the offer before he eventually accepted.
He noted that Eze Nwokedi does not know tribe or religion and treats everyone equally without any form of discrimination and has maintained high standard and morality for the benefit of the society.
Eze Chika Nwokedi used the occasion to confer Chieftaincy titles on Chief Chidiebere Anthony Eshiowula and his wife, Chika Eshiobula as Nwata Kwocha and Ada Diche of Pounds and Dollars of Ijegun and Ijedodo kingdoms.
