Chief Ignatius Okoye, newly inducted into Ozonkpu Society, Enugwu-Ukwu Community, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra has said that taking a title in the community is not a show of affluence but service to humanity.
Okoye said on Saturday in Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka LGA of Anambra during his induction into the esteemed Ozo Culture Society of the community.
Okoye,the Enugwu- Ukwu comminity born London based, from Umuatulu village, who was at the weekend, inducted into the prestigious Ozonkpu Enugwu-Ukwu Na Umunri society with the title name of “Ozonkpu Akachukwu Udenweze 11”.
Newsmen reports that the inductee was informed of the dos and don’t of the reverred society by the Presiding Officer of the event, Chief Joseph Okonkwo, AKA, Ofiadulu.
The head of the Ozonkpu title holders in the community, Chief Joseph Okonkwo,AKA(Ofiadulu)
warned on the need for strict adherence to the principles of the society.
Okonkwo,(Ofiadulu) ⁷reminded the new member that henceforth he has been restricted from certain functions and should always believe in truth and say the truth whenever the need arises.
“With the induction into the Ozonkpu Enugwu-Ukwu Na Umunri, you have been restrained from going to make purchases at Nkwo market.
“Your movement has also been restricted and you are now expected to believe in the truth and say the truth no matter what may come out of it.
“Ozonkpu Enugwu-Ukwu Na Umunri is the highest Ozo title in the community and you are expected to use your position to assist in the development of the community.
“I have inducted so many people into this Ozonkpu title. I am not interested in the Igweship of this community, but I have to advise those I inducted into this prestigious Ozonkpu who are causing crises in the community to return the certificate of recognition I issued to them on or before March 2024 in their own interest,” Okonkwo further added.
He advised Chief Ozonkpu Akachukwu Udenwueze, to be of good behaviour and avoid acts capable of dragging his image and that of the Ozonkpu society to the mud as such may result in abomination which ends in catastrophe.
In his induction acceptance speech, the newest Chief Ozonkpu Akachukwu Udenweze11, commended the head of the Ozonkpu society, Chief Okonkwo and his members for founding him worthy to be inducted as their member and vowed to be of good behaviour and abide by the oath of office.
“I thank God for this honour bestowed on me and God knows why he keeps Chief Okonkwo Ofiadulu, up to this day. Enugwu-Ukwu is more than the control of one person, we have to join hands in moving Enugwu-Ukwu forward.
“You have to be self disciplined, even before my induction I restrained myself to certain things and decided to promote core values of our land, even when I was a kid I do follow behind the culture,tradition and values of our people.
” The communal living and brotherhood our fore fathers left behind is worth sustaining.
“That I am based overseas do not change the Igbo man in me, i have my father’s moral dictates at heart which i swore to keep and hand over to my children and younger generations that crosses my path,”Okoye said.
Okoye said he may live far away from the community but he breathes the community and will akways link up home to see where he can partner with the elders in the community in development of the community in possible areas.
” With advanced technology communication back home will be constant for possible positive touch on people’s lives.
“I love my people, my culture, tradition and background, anyone that do not know his culture is making the greatest regrettable mistake.
Okoye said he will use his new position in the community to promote Igbo culture, values like their language, dressing code,etc,our identify will go into extinction as being speculated in social media.
” long time i have started the promotion in my home,my children that is born in London speaks Igbo,dresses in our cultural attire, participate in all Igbo programs and hears whatever anyone says in Igbo language and responds as well, now i zm going to take beyound my immediate home,” he assured
Also expressing satisfaction with the induction, his wife, Rose, said that with this honour bestowed on her as “Lolo Ozonkpu Akachukwu Udenweze.
She said that now all eyes were on her and her husband towards ensuring that truth prevails in all circumstances that they pray God to strengthen them in this assignment.
She described as false and unfounded, the belief in some quarters that Ozonkpu title taking is fetish adding that as Christian family if it were fetish they would not have come to be inducted.
“Everything during the induction was done in the open for all to see, so there is nothing fetish in it. We even started and ended up with a Catholic priest presiding over the mass service that preceded the induction,” she further explained.
Also Expressing satisfaction with the induction of Ozonkpu Akachukwu Udenweze, his bosom friend, Chief Kanayo Akabuike, (a.k.a. Akpunwa), who hails from a neighbouring town Nawfia’ community, said that the induction was a big elevation for Akachukwu Udenweze Udenweze to the highest level adding that whoever that finds himself there is expected to always stand by the truth and avoid illegality.
“Anyone who goes contrary to his oath of office is inviting calamity to himself and family. Ozonkpu is the highest ozo society in Enugwu-Ukwu and her neighboring towns.
Akabuike, AKA: Akpunwa who came from London to witness the induction of Akachukwu into the prestigious Ozonkpu Enugwu-Ukwu Na Umunri, reiterated the resolve of Chief Akachukwu Udenweze to continue his philantropic gesture to humanity.
Highlight on the occasion was the presentation of certificate of recognition to Chief Akachukwu Udenweze11 Chief Okonkwo.
