By Tony Oraeki, Awka
The Umuokpu women group of Umuokpo family in Uruofolo village, Nri kingdom of Anambra State, has conferred their queenship on the first daughter of Dr. Ramas Okoye-Asuzu.
The Umuokpu group is the composition of the indigenous women married within their community.
Speaking to journalists during the conferment ceremony over the weekend at the Obu-Ezumezu-Ofor Igbo in Nri kingdom, Dr. Ramas Okoye-Asuzu popularly known as Akajiofor Ezeoba said the crowning of queen on his daughter was in appreciation of the good things he have been doing for them for the past 25 years.
According to Ramas, ” I am so delighted that Umuokpu of Akamanassa Umuokpo family, Uruofolo village have decided to confer their queenship on my daughter in appreciation of what I have been doing for them for the past 25 years. They use this to celebrate and honour me alife.
” I also celebrate today just to thank God that I am still alive to see my wonderful grand son and my obidient first daughter. I had earlier honoured her with the chieftaincy title of Iyom in Nri kingdom and I think that I am first to do so in my community.”
Asked why he personally slaughtered a cow before the audience, Ramas said, “Being a traditionalist and custodian of Igbo traditional values, it will be wrong to allow a foreigner to Obi Ezumezu Igbo, center for Ofo Igbo’s connectivity, and allow him to slaughter cow here. No, it can’t happen here, even to allow Hausa butcher.
” I am the Eze Ofo who has the right to perfect this in this hallowed chamber. I am bound to kill the cow by myself and the ancestral spirit will gladly feast on it.
“However, my advice to Umuokpu is they should keep on doing good, as we all know that Umuokpu is the strongest women fold in Igboland.
” Therefore, for such an institution to recognize my daughter appeared that I am on the right path because, I think they have been keeping close watch on my daughter before taking this decision.”
