…as Okie, others honour  Apraku III of Odomase Kingdom

By Jimitota Onoyume 

President of the Organization of African Unity, South Carolina (OAU-SC), Grand Knight Emeritus Sir Tonna Okei (Ikuku Oma), has commended Sheriff Garry McFadden of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, for his unwavering commitment to nation building and development.

At an event in the inner chamber of his residence (Ime Obi)  in South Carolina, to honour Sheriff Garry, Okei poured encomium on him.

A statement on the event by Jerome-Mario Utomi ,  reads : “In a vibrant display of cultural diplomacy and appreciation, the President of the Organization of African Unity, South Carolina (OAU-SC), Grand Knight Emeritus Sir Tonna Okei (Ikuku Oma), hosted a historic ceremony to honor Sheriff Garry McFadden of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and his wife.

“The event, held at the Ime Obi (Inner Chambers) residence of Sir Okei in South Carolina, served as a bridge between African traditional heritage and American civic leadership. The ceremony also honored His Royal Highness, Nana Apraku III of the Odomase Kingdom, Ghana, who was on a historic royal visit to the United States.

“Sheriff McFadden, a South Carolina native serving as the top law enforcement officer in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, was conferred with the traditional title of Obong Anam Akpaniko (The one who speaks the truth and fulfills his promises). His wife was honored with the title Obongawan Emem (Mother of Peace). The traditional rites were performed by the Eselu of the Pan-African Community, Nze Ibe Ogburu (Eselu) with HRH Nana Apraku III serving as the Traditional Father of the Day.

“Speaking at the event, Grand Knight Emeritus, Sir Tonna Okei (Ikuku oma),  told journalists that the event was put together by Leaders of the Pan African Leaders to honour one of their very own, in the person of Sheriff of Mecklenburg who he described as a son of the soil for unwavering commitment to building bridges of human relations, nation building, promotion of safe city and human capital development

“In his words, “The Sheriff is a son of the soil,” Sir Tonna Okei told journalists. “Born and raised in South Carolina but serving in North Carolina, his commitment to building bridges and promoting safe cities is unparalleled. Sir Okei, Dr Joel Onafowokan MD, President of Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Carolina’s, Dr Uyi Igbinadolor and the Sheriff has built a great foundation that has progressively worked to improve the relationship between The Carolina leaders and the Pan African people. This is akin to a son of Asaba becoming a Commissioner of Police in Edo State; his kin must gather to celebrate his excellence.”

‘’On the second side, the traditional father of the day, was a king from Ghana – The Nana Apraku III of Odumasi kingdom. So, it was a double event. We hosted the king who serves as the father of the day, and we honoured and celebrated the sheriff and his wife. So, that’s what the event did. Leaders from the pan-African community were there. President of Cameroon, President of the French West-African people, they were all there, to witness this great event’’. Okei added.

“For her part, Dr Oluwatoyin Okei (Yeye Asoju Oba), thanked her husband and members of the Pan Africa Leadership in South Carolina, for their relentless efforts in building peace and promoting African culture in the United States of America.

“She described Sir Okei as a frontline cultural ambassador and foremost advocate of sustainable development who takes pride in assisting people to actualize their goals, noting that he has no rival as neither sickness nor insufficiency of funds could deter him from achieving such objectives.

“My husband is loving. He is the caring father of our children. He stands as a shining light when it comes to advocacy for human capital and community development, relentless calls for good governance and cultural promotion among other areas of human endeavours. “Also worthy of mention is the fact that in keeping with his development oriented and detribalised culture, Tonna married me from South Western Nigeria and we are today blessed with six children and a granddaughter.

“In the same vein, Queen G Inyangetor, (Mkpouto 1 of Nto Nsek and Vice President, Board of Trustees (BOT) Organisation of African Unity (OAU- SC) while advising the wife of the Sheriff, highlighted the importance of a Chief in a typical African setting.

“Others who spoke at the event poured encomium on Sir Okei and his group for their selfless contributions to mankind, saying that the well-established cordial relationship between the OAU-SC and American government set the stage for peaceful, seamless and rancour free existence for Africans resident in South Carolina.

“The high points of the event were refreshments, taking of group photographs and presentations to Americans.  The Ika version of our Lord’s Prayer, a gift made available by Chief John Ehikwe, Ukpe Chukwu Munye of Ejeme Unor.

“The event drew a distinguished crowd of Pan-African leaders, including Leaders of the Pan African communities, especially Attorney Sam Mokeba, President of the Cameroonian community, Elder Lucien Henry, leader of Haitian community and co. Chief Njoku  Naja was there too.

“Recall that some months ago, OAU-SC in collaboration with The Pan African People, a sociocultural pressure group comprising Africans residing in Columbia, Carolina, United States of America (USA), in similar vein  bestowed a chieftaincy title – Adolor of the Pan African People – on Daniel J. Rickenmann, Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, for his sterling leadership qualities, saying that his approach to leadership is development-oriented with cultural integration that  promotes peace.

“Okei, the eldest son of Lady Felicia Okei and Barrister George Okei, a former Bendel state Commissioner, is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Knights of Columbus, a notary public and a community leader, cultural enthusiast and Team Leader, Quality Assurance Bureau of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human services “.