By Ifeizu Joe
Prominent Lagos Based Lawyer, Barr. Odinaka Obiorah during the yuletide initiated sons of his late elder brothers and his own sons into the prestigious Nze na Ozo Society of Nanka community in Orumba North Local Government Area.
The event attracted several notable personalities from the Nze na Ozo Society of Nanka, who gathered at his home, The Statement House in Ifite Nanka to perform the sacred ritual.
Barr Obiorah who spared time to speak to THE RAZOR said: “What is happening here today is what had always happened in Nanka. What we are doing here is that I was among the three sons of my father that inherited his Ozo title, but the other sons of my father died without being able to install the title on their children and the way the Nanka tradition works is that you can reactivate it. So we have just reactivated the title for the sons of my brothers who had died, and my sons too were initiated in the Ozo society. So they stepped into their father’s shows in the Nze na Ozo Society of Nanka. And I have also initiated my children today.”
On some of the obligations now incumbent on the newly initiated members, Obiorah said they now rank above their mates because of the new position they have attained.
He said: “Just like the masquerade festival in other places, they now rank first among equals from today in the community. They will have opportunity to be among those to take decisions in the community in the first inner rooms.”
The new inductees also spoke on their initiation into the Ozo Society of the community.
One of the inductees, Chukwuemeka Obiorah said: “The reason for this function is that we were inducted into the Ozo society. What I did today is the continuation of what my father left in the Ozo Society, which is Igbanye Ozo. What it means is that I’m stepping into the shoes of my father in the society. I did this with my elder cousins. My Ozo name from today is Agbalanze.
“I want to say that in Igbo tradition, to be a red cap chief is not something you give to just anyone, the person must be prepared. I must say that I’m prepared. It is not a club, so there are some things that you may be prohibited from doing because there are rules and regulations and you have to swear an oath.”
Another is the inductee, Mr Arthur Izunna Obiorah expressed happiness about the ceremony, reiterating his readiness to keep to the rules and regulations of the society.
He said: “The significance of this ceremony is that I will now stand by the truth and be known as a man of honour and dignity. Secondly I must be very mindful of the kind of people I associate with and cut out late nights. These things are however not my way, but they are things I must not do. Again, I now have to redouble energy to ensure that I serve the community.”
The colourful traditional event was attended by politicians including former governorship candidate, Mr Val Ozigbo. Also in attendance were other traditional title holders from the community, including prominent businessman, Chief Jacob Enemuo.
