It was glitz and glamour in Nze community, last Sunday, as the Ezedike clan conferred Chieftaincy titles to Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the immediate past Accountant General of Enugu State, Hon. Dr. Paschal Okolie.
Ezedike clan is made of three Autonomous Communities of Akpakwume, Ezi Nze and Ibute Nze in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
In an address, jointly signed by the traditional rulers of the three Autonomous Communities and delivered by Professor Jude Amadi, the communities explained that the honour to the governor was coming on the heels of the governor’s people-oriented style of leadership which has attracted numerous benefits to the clan. They identified some of the governor’s projects in the communities to include completion and commissioning of 2.5 MVA transformer and Ezi Nze civic centre, construction of class room blocks and examination halls for primary and secondary schools, on-going construction of Akpakwume-Nze-Aku-Nkpologu Road among others.
In their words, “Your Excellency, your people-oriented style of leadership, which is ingenious, pragmatic, purposeful and peace-loving, has continued to endear you to the good people of Enugu State, which explains why we have chosen this day to say, Thank You, Your Excellency”.
Professor Simon Ortuanya, Secretary to Enugu state government, received the Chieftaincy title of ‘Chinenyeze 1 of Ezedike,’ on behalf of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also conferred with the Chieftaincy title of ‘Ugwumba 1 of Ezedike’, was the immediate past Accountant General of Enugu State and the current Special Adviser to Enugu State Governor on Financial Matters, Hon. Dr. Sir Paschal Okolie, who hails from the area.
In their address, Ezedike clan was full of praise for Dr. Okolie noting that the knight of St. John international has been a man of the people whose life has touched so many people in almost all areas of human development and community service.
According to them, “Dr. Okolie has not only become a role model, but also a reference point of integrity and transparency in public service career as well as in communal development and services. Indeed, reputable institutions, organizations, individuals and society at large have recognized and adjudged this brilliant and illustrious son of Enugu state worthy of honour and recognition in the hall of fame. Apart from being a core professional and seasoned bureaucrat, Dr. Okolie has been a man of the people whose life has touched so many people in almost all areas of human development and community service.”
While hailing the two title recipients, Ezedike people said, “His Excellency, Gov. Ugwuanyi, and Dr. Paschal Okolie belong to the league of history makers, pacesetters, men of impact- men who make things happen for the benefit of humanity.”
Receiving the title, elated Dr. Okolie thanked the entire people of Ezedike clan. He said although he had received titles/Awards across traditional, organisational and religious communities in Nigeria, but the coming together of three distinct autonomous communities to bestow the chieftaincy title on him makes the honour special and more than any other title he had received in the past.
Expressing delight with the honour, Dr. Okolie pointed out that the conferment of the title is an acknowledgment that the people of the area recognised that he has done much for them and assured the people that he would do more.
Dr Okolie said, “I feel great. I believe that this is the icing on the cake because I have gotten titles and awards from within this community, from the state and the entire country, but this one being given by the entire clan, made up of three autonomous communities headed by three Igwes-in- Council coming together under one voice with the Presidents-Generals to confer on me the chieftaincy title of Ugwumba 1, is a great honour and a special thing. It is more than any other one I have gotten (in the past)”.
He added: “This title was given to appreciate me for my own little contribution (to the communities), and I believe that for them to have recognized that I have done much for them, I pledge that I will do more, by His grace.”
He further noted that his conferment is even more significant considering that he received the Chieftaincy title alongside Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who he applauded for appointing him as his Special Adviser on Financial Matters.
The cardinal request of Ezedike Clan from the Government is the completion of construction of Akpakwume-Nze-Aku-Nkpologwu Road.
Some of the personalities who attended the event include, Enugu state Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Barr. Cecilia Ezeilo, Governor Ugwuanyi’s representative and the secretary to Enugu state government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, Deputy Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uche Ugwu, the traditional ruler of Ibute Egede Autonomous Community and Chairman of the occasion, HRH Igwe(Dr.)Peter Okwesili. Others are: Enugu state Commissioner for works, Engr. Greg Nnaji, Chairman, Enugu state Board of Internal Revenue Service, Chief Emeka Odo, among other dignitaries.
