The Federation of Igbo Students (FIS) at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has picked Henry Chinedu Umeokonkwo as its Igwe (the king), ending the four-year battle for the stool, reports EMMANUEL AHANONU (Political Science).
After a long battle, the Federation of Igbo Students (FIS) at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has resolved its differences, with the selection of Henry Chinedu Umeokonkwo as its Igwe (king).
The stool was established in 1994 to serve as a symbol of unity for Igbo students. The former Igwe, Gabriel Ejikeme, then a Public Administration student, spent five years on the throne. When he graduated, he could not hand over because of the crisis rocking the association. Ejikeme and his chiefs were accused of dictatorship and maladministration.
Ejikeme served as the Eze mmuo (chief priest) before he was selected by 24 of the 34 kingmakers to lead the association.
The crisis deepened in 2011 when some members challenged Ejikeme’s right to hold the Ofala. They said he lacked the authority to organise the event because he had graduated. According to tradition, an Igwe whose tenure has ended does not have the right to hold the festival.
However, instead of holding the historic event on the campus as tradition prescribes, Ejikeme took it to Airport Field, an off-campus location. After the festival, he convened a council of elders’ (chiefs) meeting to choose a new Igwe. The meeting ended in a deadlock.
One of the contenders accused Ejikeme of monetising the stool.
After a series of failed handover attempts, as none of the contenders met the Igwe’s criteria, Ejikeme left office.
Despite his exit, the group remained polarised. All efforts to instal a new Igwe and restore peace in FIS failed because of what some students described as traditional restriction, which allows only the outgoing Igwe to crown the new Igwe and his chiefs.
To salvage the situation, some of the chiefs, who served under Ejikeme were contacted to prevail on him to perform his traditional duty. He agreed and few days later, the process of choosing a new Igwe started.
As expected, Ejikeme played a major role, breaking the kolanuts and pouring libation to ordain incoming chiefs. Two old chiefs screened the contenders for the stool and tested their knowledge of Igbo culture and tradition.
The incoming chiefs were allowed to choose their chieftaincy names but some names attracted special condition. For instance, anyone who chose Ogbuefi (one who kills cow) must either kill a cow or buy parts of a cow for the old chiefs.
The Igwe’s selection was full of drama. It took hours before the old and incoming chiefs gave Ejikeme the nod to crown his successor. Before Ejikeme performed that duty, he was made to swear an oath that his reign would not exceed a year.
At a ceremony held at Abang Arang in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Henry Chinedu Umeokonkwo, a 300-Level Public Administration student, who took the title of Ogbuefi Na Uko Efi was crowned the 13th Igwe of Malabo Kingdom. He chose the name: Mmiri Mara Ugo 1ofMalabo(rain that falls on eagle).
The chiefs, who scaled the tough screening, were also conferred titles with their wives.
There was a celebration on the night of the coronation; some chiefs came with their wives to rejoice with the Igwe. Members of the association were served Igbo delicacies, such as Ugba (African salad), palm wine, pepper soup, roasted yam, gin and kolanut.
The Igwe’s first Ofala festival was held simultaneously with this year’s Igbo Cultural Day, which took place at Malabo Square.
The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof James Epoke, represented by his deputy on Academic, Prof Austin Obiekezie; Dean of Students’ Affairs Prof Eyong Eyong, represented by Mr Emmanuel Emore; Director of General Studies, Dr Chike Ekeopara; pioneer FIS president Azubuike Iloakasi, and second Igwe of Malabo Kingdom, Charles Njoku, were in attendance.
The VC praised the Igbo students for holding onto their culture. He charged them to be steadfast in their academic pursuit, saying: “While you are passing through the school, you should also allow the school to pass through you, and that cannot be possible if you are such a student who goes from your hostel to class from class back to hostel. You must dedicate time to read your books.”
In his speech, Igwe Henry listed the criteria for the award of chieftaincy titles. He said: “To be conferred with a chieftaincy in Malabo Kingdom, you must have moral and academic excellence. You must be one who commands respect on campus.”
He urged his chiefs and members to promote excellence and Igbo culture.
There was a cultural contest in which students from the Southeast participated; each state showcased its peculiar attire and food. Anambra State emerged the best. The event also featured wrestling as done in traditional Igbo society; news broadcast in Igbo, cultural dance by students and drama.
The association unveiled its almanac and honoured some of its members, including the president, Ekene Odumegwu.
