By NWABUEZE OKONKWO

ONITSHA – It was a moment of joy and ethnic affinity at Obosi, an ancient community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State when the traditional ruler of the community,(Eze Obosi), His Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka III conferred chieftaincy titles of Agumba Obosi and Ugodiya Obosi respectively on the immediate former Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda and his wife.

Igwe Iweka conferring the title on Yuguda

The Agumba Obosi title was conferred on Yuguda by Igwe himself, while the Ugodiya Obosi title was conferred on his wife, by Igwe’s wife at the colourful ceremony which took place at his palace in Obosi. Obosi is also, the country home of the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

In his remarks, Igwe Iweka emphasised that the title was conferred on Yuguda on merit and not based on pecuniary interests, adding that a thorough assessment of Yuguda showed that he had joy in accommodating Obosi people in particular and Igbo in general in Bauchi State.

The monarch noted that the chieftaincy title would have been conferred on Yuguda about two years earlier but stressed that it was shelved because of their quest to ensure that he was thoroughly assessed. The kingdom decided to keep it till now that he had rounded up his full tenure of eight years in office as governor, being convinced all that he merited the highly revered Obosi title.

•Yuguda, his wife and other traditional chiefs after the ceremony

He said that with the title, Yuguda had now become a citizen of Obosi, adding that they were ready to show him a land where he could build a residential home in any part of the community as an indigene and member of Obosi royal cabinet, just like Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of Commonwealth and Osita Chidoka, out-going Minister of Aviation who were from the area.

Responding, Yuguda thanked the monarch for considering him worthy of the title, adding that he was convinced that he was being honoured on merit.

According to him: “I take this title with a lot of emotion, more than other titles I have from other places and I will build a house here in Obosi to establish my second home here.” Highlight of the ceremony included royal dances from various dancing troupes, including the popular Abiriba traditional dance from Abia State.