BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO, Onitsha

Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of natives of Ogwu-Aniocha community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State as they presented their newly selected traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, HRH, Chief Nathaniel Nwajeli Nnaji, a traditional medical practitioner to the local council authorities for recognition as their Igwe-elect.

The presentation ceremony which took place at Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat Hall, Atani, was witnessed by the local government chairman, Chief Victor Nwachukwu Agolue; his deputy, Ogbuefi Arinze and head of local government departments and security agencies.

Speaking at the colourful ceremony, the President-General of Ogwu-Aniocha town union, Mr. Innocent Udom; the Secretary-General, Christopher Obitube and two other community leaders, Chidi Ekpendu and Ikenna Nnabugwu, told the council boss that the entire community met and carefully selected Nnaji among other contestants to become their paramount ruler.

According to Udom, Obitube, Ekpendu and Nnabugwu, unlike some other communities where there are factions and tussles, all the 15 branches of the town union scattered all over the country and beyond and the four villages that made up  Ogwu-Aniocha are unianimously in support of Nnaji’s ascendancy to the royal throne.

They therefore urged the council officials not to listen to any other side talk that might come up from any quarter as the entire community are behind the new Eze-elect.
In his brief speech, the Igwe-elect, Nnaji assured the gathering that he would bring lasting peace and unity in the area, adding that he would use his wealth of experience in life to attract government presence in terms of infrastructural development.

Responding, the council chairman, Agolue commended them for the peaceful manner they comported themselves throughout the selection process and promised to forward their request for recognition and staff of office to the state government for consideration.

He disclosed that the council would partner with all the communities in the council area in realising its developmental strategies, such as environmental sanitation, educational advancement, provision of potable water and health facilities.