It was clear that the relief was felt even beyond the remote community. The Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke was there on behalf of his boss, Chief Willie Obiano. So were various dignitaries including traditional rulers and community leaders.
It was a special day for Nibo and its people in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. For seven years the community boiled over, kinsmen rising against one another. For that long, the town had no traditional Prime Minister or Onowu, in local parlance.
Even the traditional ruler, Eze Ugonwanne Ngene, who still managed to retain his throne, could not celebrate it. The Ofala, the grand feast marking such ceremonies, simply could not hold.
Why? Nibo was in turbulence.
Thankfully, all that is in the past now. A new Onowu, Prof. Simon Nnama, has been inaugurated. Peace has returned and everyone, including the Obiano administration, was happy.
At inception, one of the first things the governor did was to mount a campaign for community peace and cohesion. It looks as if his efforts are paying off.
The internal squabble halted any form of development in the area. This put off some indigenous people who wanted to help those in need especially the physically challenged and widows.
In those horrible days, things stood still except the Eke Market which was functional, while the presence of government was equally minimal.
The Nation gathered that the conflict was essentially about leadership. Some aggrieved members of the community, it was said, were opposed to the monarch and made their opposition known. While that lasted, a few others helped themselves to community’s till.
The conflict is over. The community is united under its king. The Ofala feast has returned and everyone made merry and did their best to forget the past.
Ezike Nibo, as the monarch is addressed, also took time to recognise some sons of the land, while the community equally chose and installed its traditional prime minister.
The wind of change has finally reconciled all and sundry with monarch and some of the community’s sons and daughters promising development.
Special recognition was given to the community’s new traditional Prime Minister, Prof. Simon Nnama and Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe in an event that took place at Nibo Civic Centre and witnessed by the Aanmbra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
Traditional rulers from the 177 communities in Anambra state were led by the Igwe of Nnewi, Kenneth Orizu and Igwe Peter Anugwu of Mbaukwu.
For members of the community, the honor given to one of their own Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe by their monarch was a well deserved one.
He was given the traditional title of Ebubechukwu–Uzo (meaning the one who puts God first).
The political scientist and business man has been a source of hope and motivation to the less privileged and the needy in the society not only in the community but beyond.
Okelekwe before his education and rise to stardom was being ridiculed in the area in those days as epitome of poverty which he also attests to.
The area was jam packed and the event wore a majestic look with decorations and different uniforms by groups that ran riot.
The mention of Okelekwe’s name by the monarch elicited jubilation. Singers praised the man they described as the messiah of the poor.
Mr. Chigozie Nwankwo, 67, said: “We are excited because this young man can starve his family to make sure that others do not suffer because he saw and experienced poverty.”
The traditional ruler of Isuanaoma in Awka North Local Government Area, Igwe Uchenna Okpalaunegbu, who described himself as the recipient’s friend, told The Nation that the title on Okelekwe was a confirmation of his life
“He is somebody that has touched lives, he believes strongly in living for others and this is the testimony”
Dr. Harry Obi-Nwosu, a community leader in Umudioka, who came to witness the event, told the Nation that Okelekwe’s recognition by the community was well deserved as a man of integrity and honour.
“I have known him as a gentleman that loves to help the poor; if not for the crisis in Nibo community, the people would have recognised him many years ago before other communities could do that.”
Before now, in 2009, Okelekwe had been recognised as Ezechimelu (God’s anointed king) of Oko kingdom in Orumba North Council Area. In 2011, the monarch of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu gave him the title of Ochendo (the people’s shield).
Chief Victor Umeh, who is the National Chairman of all Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was equally among the recipients of traditional title from the sleepy community.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Okeke, who stood in for Governor Obiano, commended the people for the return of peace in the area and the orderly conduct of the event.
However, he assured that the state government remained committed in ensuring the security and welfare of its citizens as evidenced in the crime-free Yuletide period.
Ezike Nibo, Ugonwanne Ngene, before conferring the titles on the recipients, said they were chosen as special people to play special roles in the community because of what he described and their impeccable characters.
Despite the crisis that nearly brought enmity to the people and their leaders, the monarch described Nibo as a blessed community where all the basic amenities of life were endowed in abundance.
While he was called up to step forward for his title, tears rolled down his cheeks but he managed to acknowledge the huge chants of his name by the people.
He told The Nation that he cried because of what the community had gone through in the past and when he remembered his past when poverty reigned supreme in his life.
“And that is what motivated me to be doing whatever I am doing today in the society and I have been in this charity job for the past 20 years and if I have the means, I will do more”.
“This is very emotional to me and I cherish it because I never lobbied or made any discreet moves to be recognised by my people, I was only communicated 72 hours to the event and one of the greatest things that can happen to any man is to be recognised by his people.”
The President General of the town Union, Dr. Innocent Akuvue described the day as a turning point in the lives of the people of the community.
