HIS Royal Highness, Igwe Spencer Ugwu Oke of Obimo in Nsukka Local government Area of Enugu State discusses his life and royalty in this in this encounter. With lessons learnt from more than three decades as a traditional ruler, he discusses the key qualities that distinguish him among his peer and submits that the traditional institution in the country can only be made better through having constitutional roles.

Life before ascension to throne

This is my 38 years on the thrown. I have been on this throne since 1979.  I am an Estate Surveyor. I studied in Ghana where I did Estate Management at the University of Science and Technology Kumasi, Ghana. On coming back I joined a private firm in Jos.  I was in the Biafra army, where I sustained an injury during the war. It was from a morta blast and the scar has been on my face.

Igwe Spencer Ugwu Oke

The last traditional ruler that ruled Obimo before me died in 1963 and so the throne was vacant for 16 years.  I have been on this throne and I am contented. I was a member of the old Anambra State Council of Chiefs for many years before we fought for the creation of Enugu State.

On high points

I have been on this throne for 38 years and I have come to realize that patience is the most potent medicine in life. If you don’t have patience, things may not go on well with you. One can surmount every challenge with patience. That is why I preach patience for rulers and those being ruled. God who rules this world does not quickly get annoyed. I underwent many hurdles in my community. My car was burnt to ashes for no just cause but I am not trekking today. Those who burnt my car have no cars. Patience is the most valuable aspect of this life.

It was a chieftaincy tussle that led to the burning of my car. But I have accepted difficulties as part of life. I don’t expect to be exempted from it but I use them to be wiser and stronger.

In life, it is important that a ruler knows himself and understands his environment. I don’t believe in hearsay. Leaders are supposed to be cautious of the advice they work with because of the sensitive nature of their position.   It is my style of leadership which I developed and operate with. That is my own principle.

On the role of  traditional rulers

I am not comfortable with the role of traditional rulers. In Enugu State, we have over 400 traditional rulers. The constitution should assign more roles to traditional rulers, even if it does not come through the constitution, the state House of Assembly should make a law. We have no function, it’s only when there is a crisis that an Igwe is called upon.

Traditional rulers can help in revenue generation in the rural areas to assist the government in what they are doing. If the Igwes are allowed to see to the collection of rates and taxes, it will assist the government. But nobody pays tax these days. People don’t know what tax is. You mean if we have no oil in this country, we will not survive?

The Igwes should be given the power. We are in a better position to supervise the collection of taxes, the fourth tier. Councilors should be under the Igwes. If there is any crisis now in my village, the Police will come there but will not visit my house in the course of the investigation. What I am saying is that we should be carried along in most things that concern our communities. We need constitutional roles. I should be able to take my subjects on bail.

On discipline and leadership

I am very comfortable with his government because I know what governance involves. Ugwuanyi has done more than other governors that have ruled Enugu State since 1999.

He is a disciplined leader. If a leader is not disciplined, it affects governance. It takes a disciplined leader to bring about good leadership.

That is why we want to name Opi-Nsukka road as Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi expressway. We will also put his statue on the road. Nsukka people have to appreciate what he is doing because we have an adage that says that it is the chief mourner who should first start crying before sympathizers would join.

Ugwuanyi has shown us a good example. He has not concentrated anything in Nsukka alone; other parts of the zone are talking about him. He just conducted the most transparent and peaceful local government election that we have ever witnessed.

I want to congratulate the Chairman of Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC, Chief Mike Ajogwu, SAN, for conducting a free and fair council exercise in the state. He did that because of his pedigree and where he is coming from.

On traditional rulers and partisanship

Traditional rulers are supposed to take sides in politics.  That is for those who are afraid of their certificates, who bought their certificates. You can’t tell me that I should be afraid to criticize governor Ugwuanyi if he goes wrong because he will come and withdraw my certificate. Didn’t Chimaroke Nnamani withdraw it, didn’t he return it? Did I beg him to return it? Have you seen me in government house?

On burial rites

There was a recent burial at Obollo Eke, where the mother of Justice CC Nweze of the Supreme Court was buried. Those who did not know Obollo and who would not have known Obollo in their lifetime came there to know the village.

Such occasions make those in authority to understand what people need for development at the grassroots. We are proud of people like Justice Nweze who brought such people to our place. Lavish burials have their own advantages.  Since after that burial, the Obollo Eke is now being tarred. Is that not a good omen?

On adding value

The present Vice-Chancellor, of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof Benjamin Ozumba is different. Since the inception of the university in 1960, we have had only four Vice Chancellors that made very positive marks.

One was Professor Ndili from Delta State. His footprints are still there and we are happy with him. Next was Prof Umar Gomwalk from Plateau State who built Princess Alexandria auditorium which is a spectacle in the university till date. We are grateful to Prof Chinedu Nebo who brought discipline to the university. It is, however, unfortunate that it is only in Nsukka that we have the University Teaching hospital outside its mother campus. UNN teaching hospital is at Enugu.

Ozumba made Nsukka people know that the university employs people, others employed without our knowledge. He is now exposing the fake recruitments.

On hardship

Saying that things are hard is always on the lips of the Igbo man and it is wrong. When he is asked about his walfare he will say that things are tough even in good times.  That has always been the reply since time immemorial. Our people say that because they lack contentment. We are never satisfied but  I am contented.

It is the quest to acquire wealth for our children’s children that cause our problems. Let us take things easy and be patient.