From Onyedi Ojiabor

The Christmas season is usually a swell period for many communities in Igbo land just like in other communities across the country.

For some communities, it is a season of stocktaking and evaluation. For others, it is a period to articulate developmental projects and how to raise funds for their execution.

It is also a season to honour outstanding personalities for their generosity, altruism and benevolence to their communities.

It is a period to motivate people as well as a season to count the blessings of God. It is, for all intents and purposes, a period of homeward movement for the proverbial home sweet home.

The 2019 Christmas season was not different in Isuikwuto Local Government, Abia State.

What is more, in his characteristic candour, His Royal Majesty, Eze Ezo Ukandu, Enyi Na Obiangwu of Imenyi ancient kingdom, seized the momentum to honour deserving sons and daughters of Isuikwuato on December 28, 2019.

Eze Ukandu, who is also Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) South East Council of Traditional Rulers,  rolled out the drums to celebrate three of his subjects for their outstanding open-handedness to their immediate communities.

As attested by people from far and near, it was an occasion to behold in all its ramifications.

The fun-filled occasion drew who is who in Isuikwuto.

Traditional music and dances were not in short supply to the delight of the enthusiastic audience. There were also a lot to eat. Those who wanted drinks had them to their flavours.

The highly elated Eze Ukandu did not disappoint as he appeared in his glittering royal regalia.

He used the occasion to ex-ray his choice as the custodian of the culture and tradition of his people 45 years ago. Eze Ukandu beat his chest and nodded his head in appreciation for a job well done.

For the royal father, the 45 years he had been on the throne, have witnessed great cultural revival and monumental traditional transformation not only in Imenyi kingdom but also in Isuikwuato ethnic nationality.

Talking about those selected for honour, the royal father noted that he had previously honoured sons and daughters from other Isuikwuato clans other than Imenyi with a view to motivating them to higher heights in their chosen fields. Honouring personalities outside Imenyi, he said, brought about stronger ties among the people of Isuikwuato.

Eze Ukandu described himself as a bridge builder who takes delight in reaching out to other front line traditional rulers from within and outside Abia State to showcase and promote “our rich cultural heritage.”

“It is on the strength of this that I have often invited, taken or led many frontline South east traditional rulers to Isuikwuato or on courtesy calls to different parts of Nigeria in order to promote unity, progress and peaceful co-existence among our people from other geo political divides in Nigeria,” he said.

Eze Ukandu commended his brother royal fathers in the Southeast, Abia traditional rulers and Isuikwuator royal fathers for their uncommon support and cooperation.

One of the recipients of the special recognition was  Orunta Davey Enyinnaya, an engineer, who was honoured for reconstructing a two kilometer road for the Ahaba Imenyi community.

High Chief Reymond Iheanacho Nkemdirim was honoured for his philanthropy in his Umuobiala community while Mrs. Charity Onyekwere Onwuka, described as “a virtuous woman of substance” by Eze Ukandu, was recognised for her selflessness in the community.

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Apart from their altruism, the royal father added that their patriotic roles and disposition to move Isuikwuato forward culturally and traditionally stood them out for a well deserved recognition.

The royal father did not end his address without calling on the federal and state governments to as a matter of urgency consider and assign constitutional roles to first class traditional rulers in the country.

The traditional rulers, he said, are closer to their people and therefore in a better position to present and represent their people in government. The measure, he added, will make governance easier as the people will have better sense of belonging.

An Aba-based hospitality industry doyen, High Chief Jimmy Ikwuegbu, who was invited to the occasion as one of the prominent chiefs in Abia State, heaped accolades on Eze Ukandu for recognising deserving sons and daughters of Isuikwuato.

High Chief Ikwuegbu noted that there is no doubt that Eze Ukandu has by resolve and determination, succeeded in projecting Isuikwuato and indeed Abia State positively.

The Mgbelu-Umunnekwu born High Chief commended those who were honoured and urged them to continue to beam the light for the good of Isuikwuato and Abia State in general.

For him, Eze Ukandu should not only be supported for his exemplary cultural revival initiatives in Isuikwuato but should be given higher responsibility in the state and at the federal level.