By Dennis Agbo

First class traditional rulers in the south east, including the Obi of Ontisha, HRH Igwe Nnaemeke Achebe, the Chairman of South East traditional rulers council and Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu, among other notable monarchs in the region have extolled the virtues of the wife of the former Governor of old Anambra state, Chief Dr. Mrs. Patricia Nwobodo.

The monarchs stated that she has remained a care-giver, a pathfinder and the sight of her husband, Senator Jim Nwobodo, who is an illustrious son of Igbo land and a pioneer, whose feet in the sands of Igbo land will forever remain indelible.

They made the commendations shortly after the traditional ruler of Akegbe-Ugwu community in Nkanu west local government area of Enugu state. HRH Igwe Greg Ugwu conferred a Chieftaincy title, Odiuko N’mba (Rare gem), on Mrs. Nwobodo in his palace, on Friday.

Among other dignitaries that witnessed the conferment on Mrs. Nwobodo included the Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Peter Mba who was represented by his Deputy, Bar. Ifeanyi Ossai; the Secretary to Enugu state government, Prof Chidi Onyia; Former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani; her husband, Senator Jim Nwobodo, HRH Igwe Abel Nwobodo, the first civilian Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; Retired Justice Afam Nwobodo and wife, Ifeoma; and many other personalities.

The host traditional ruler, Igwe Greg Ugwu stated that he chose to give special honour to Mrs. Nwobodo because of her commitment to the development of Akwuanaw communities, Nkanu clan and Enugu state in general since she became their wife.

Igwe Greg Ugwu said, “She has done wonderful things in Enugu state and in Nigeria, particularly in Akwunanaw and that’s why we are recognizing her today. That’s why different traditional rulers such as the Obi of Onitsha, Agbogidi, are here to join me to give the Chieftaincy title to her. The advice to her is to continue to do the good work she has been doing. I wish her good health, long life for her to continue doing the good work she has been doing.”

Chairman of the occasion, Senator Ken Nnamani described the event as a one of the expressions of the traditional rites of Ndigbo, noting that other traditional rulers in the region are now bound to emulate Igwe Greg Ugwu’s cultural fiesta. He urged all traditional rulers to do things that will always promote the culture and make their people happy.

The Obi of Ontisha, HRH Igwe Achebe gave appreciation to the recipient, Chief Mrs. Nwobodo, noting that there was no single harmonized standard of conferring chieftaincy titles but that “every community has its own criteria for awarding chieftaincy titles.”

Responding to the award, Mrs. Nwobodo said that the award will be a great challenge to her but will spur her to do more.

“What I saw today is overwhelming, beyond my expectation. I’ve been receiving Chieftaincy titles, but none has been like the one I received today. This award came with so much love and passion. The Igwe and his wife bought everything you see me wearing.

“The presence of so many dignitaries, relations is beyond my imagination. It’s a burden now, a bigger one, for me to do more of whatever little that I did for which I’m being honoured today. Today’s event is a wakeup call that what you are doing is appreciated. Sometimes you do things for God’s sake but people around watch you and appreciate what you are doing and they think it amounts to something. Now I will do more.

“The other reason it means a lot to me is that this is my married home. I’ve had Chieftaincy titles from my home where I was born and naturally, where one is born, he or she is appreciated because they know you from cradle to adult. But in a married environment, you will be observed by the community where you got married, to know how you blend with the people.

“So this award coming from Akwunanaw, Nkanu, Enugu state, tells me that it’s home for me. I’ve known that but it’s more now that Enugu, Nkanu, Akwunanaw is where I will live till the last day of my life. If people come to life again, I would like to either come here or be married in Enugu state again,” Mrs. Nwobodo said.