By Our Correspondent
The Anambra State Government has issued a strong warning to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, over her recent claim of receiving a chieftaincy title from a fake traditional ruler in Awka.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, the government described the conferment of the title “Anyanwu N’Awalu Ora” by Chief Austin Chukwuezugo Ndigwe as “fake” and “illegal.”
The statement emphasized that only recognized and certified traditional rulers in Anambra State have the authority to confer chieftaincy titles.
Chief Ndigwe, described by the government as an impostor, is not a traditional ruler in Awka or anywhere in Anambra State.
The statement maintained that,” The authentic traditional ruler of Awka, HRH Gibson Nwabueze Nwosu (Eze Uzu II), currently holds official recognition from the government.
The government highlighted that Ambassador Ojukwu, given her background and pedigree, should have been aware of the facts.
” She had previously attended Chief Ndigwe’s birthday celebration, during which Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo publicly warned him against impersonating the Awka traditional ruler,”
the statement read in part.
The statement further criticized the use of the non-existent title “Supreme Commander of Awka Ancient Kingdom” and the elevation of Chief Ndigwe as “His Majesty” and “Obi,” calling it an affront to the law and the authority of the traditional institution.
“By purporting to confer a chieftaincy title, Mr. Ndigwe usurped the ceremonial functions of the bona fide Traditional Ruler of Awka—HRH Gibson Nwosu—and this is totally unacceptable,” the statement further read.
The government insisted that the title conferred on Ambassador Ojukwu is neither recognized under Anambra law nor cultural tradition and urged her to desist from using it.
Governor Soludo’s administration reassured residents that it would continue to uphold respect for law, order, and cultural institutions, warning that attempts to subvert traditional authority would not be tolerated.
The statement affirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Anambra’s cultural heritage and collective social values.
