…Bags Highest Amechi Uwani Chieftaincy Title

By Chinedu Adonu

Activities came to a standstill in Enugu on Saturday as Amechi Uwani, a prominent community in Enugu South Local Government Area, rolled out the drums to celebrate its annual Ofalla Festival, climaxing with the conferment of the community’s highest chieftaincy honour on Professor Victor Nnam, former Enugu State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development.

The colourful ceremony, held at Ofia-Utu, Amechi Uwani, saw the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Igwe Joseph O. Ogbodo, Ohachirieze II of Amechi Uwani, bestow on Professor Nnam the revered title of Ugwu of Enugu.

Igwe Ogbodo said the honour was in recognition of Professor Nnam’s outstanding contributions to youth empowerment, community service and transformational leadership, describing him as a worthy ambassador of the community.

The chieftaincy title, regarded as the highest in Amechi Uwani, is seen as a crowning moment in Professor Nnam’s decades-long commitment to societal development and the upliftment of young people within and beyond Enugu State.

Speaking shortly after his installation, Professor Nnam, a distinguished Professor of Geoinformatics and Surveying, expressed deep gratitude to the monarch and the people of Amechi Uwani, describing the recognition as the pinnacle of honour.

“There is no greater honour than being recognised by one’s king and community,” he said, while pledging to live up to the expectations of the exalted title.

“As the Ugwu of Enugu, I am solemnly committed to upholding the noble values of this rank by guiding our youth towards excellence, promoting self-reliance and inspiring positive change in our society,” he added.

The Ofalla Festival also marked the 12th anniversary of Igwe Ogbodo’s ascension to the throne, attracting community leaders, indigenes from all kindreds, and Amechi Uwani sons and daughters in the diaspora who returned home to partake in the celebration.

Several other distinguished sons and daughters of the community, both at home and abroad, were also honoured with various chieftaincy titles during the festival.

It would be recalled that Professor Nnam had earlier, in August 2020, received the title of Ugwu-Eku of Amechi from his Umunnugwu kindred in recognition of his contributions to community development.

Similarly, on December 20, 2025, he was conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Nnanyelugo Abor” by the traditional ruler of Abor Ancient Kingdom in Udi Local Government Area, further underscoring his growing influence and service across Enugu State.