It is a rare phenomenon to see a news media practitioner move from the news room to the apogee of traditional political institution, unless he or she has a blue blood running in the vein. Even at that, Royals hardly fancy the hazards and hassles that go with hunting for news.
The Akran of Badagry, De Aholu Menu-Toyi I, The Oslo of Isolo, HRM Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, the Obi of Idumuje Unor, HRM Charles Anyasi stand out here for mentioning.
We have another close case in Idumuje-Ugboko where the occupant of the next most powerful office to the monarch, the Iyase of Idumuje-Ugboko, Chief Chris Chukwuka Ogwu, is a veteran journalist of repute.
This year marks ten years of his being in the office of the Iyase, which is the traditional prime minister and he heads the Onotu, the traditional army that defends the kingdom against internal insurrection and external aggressive activities from neighbouring communities.
For a profession where public appreciation is hard to come by and hard working professionals shun the limelight, Chief Ogwu hardly wants to be seen shaving his own hair.
Idumuje-Ugboko is one of the towns in Anioma with one of the highest percentage of educated elite in every sphere of life. So, it is not a mean feat that a media person has been on this throne for the past ten years.
But since the demise of the king of Idumuje-Ugboko in February this year, the significance and function of his office has made him the gold fish that has no hiding place.
Chief Ogwu was Sports Editor at the Guardian newspaper from 1983 to 1990, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Telegraph, 1994 to 1996, Chairman, Editorial Board of Thisday Newspaper from 1997 to 1999 all in Lagos and later, the pioneer Editor of Delta State owned ‘The Pointer’ Newspaper in Asaba.
He became the Iyase of ten years ago but the passage of the Octogenarian Monarch of Idumuje-Ugboko Kingdom and the tussle for who becomes the next king has brought him in the eyes of history, customs and tradition of the people in contemporary circumstances.
Presiding Over the Rite of Passage
The culture of Idumuje-Ugboko Kingdom requires that a King must be interred within 24 hours of his passage but the rite must be initiated by the Iyase of the town who has the right to summon the Council of Chiefs consisting of the Iyase, the Odogwu, the Isama and the Uwolor.
These are four high ranking Chiefs who oversee their various four quarters of the town namely Atuma, Ogbe Ofu, Ogbe Obi and Onicha Uku respectively.
Making a New King
When the throne is vacant after the burial of a dead monarch, the administration of the Kingdom falls into the hands of the Iyase for three months, being the next most powerful chief after the monarch.
Traditionally, the Iyase is the first person to be contacted when the Obi, joins his ancestors. Thereafter, the Iyase will inform the Diokpas in the four quarters and invite them to the Palace to perform the necessary rites and respect.
The death of the Obi will then be made official to the town and his burial will take place within 24 hours. A period of three months is set by the Iyase to select a new king.
Selecting a new king
When the throne is vacant after the burial of a late monarch, the administration of the Kingdom falls into the hands of the Iyase for three months, being the next most powerful chief after the monarch.
The Iyase presides over all meetings in the Palace during these 3 months and after the formal announcement, he then directs the Onotu and/or the Omu to ensure that the town’s market is closed and the people shave their hair as a mark of respect to the departed Obi. These directives are to last until the king is buried traditionally.
It is only after the burial ceremonies of the departed Obi that the process for the coronation of a new Obi commences. This must be religiously followed as the culture and tradition clearly demand.
During this period, the Iyase, the Odogwu, the Isama and the Uwoloh take time to scrutinise the Crown Prince, once he scales through all the huddles, this Council will organise a one-man leadership training course for him where he will be coached by eminent scholars on traditional customs and leadership.
In the case of Idumuje-Ugboko, it is the duty of the Executive Council that has just been formed that will have the final say and advise Umu-Ologbo on who should be the new king.
The May 25 attack on the Iyase by a group of young men brought in from outside the kingdom was very symbolic as it meant an attack on the person, the institution, that has a primary responsibility to defend the king, and the Kingdom as the Head of the Local Army. The Iyase cannot use his office to take the life of an indigene of the town. He cannot use the office to appropriate the land of the community for himself or friends.
The Iyase, Chief Ogwu, who was not ready to discuss the issue, confirmed that the prospect of peace in the community was extensively discussed.
Those who attacked the Iyase had a clear idea of their mission and the danger is not over. They know that they must get his support to convene the process and traditional protocols to select a new king.
He was opposed the unlawful Izu Ani (General Assembly) that was convened by persons whose agenda was to remove hime from office, ostracise and banish Prince Ned Nwoko, the former representative of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency from Idumuje Ugboko, settle personal animosities.