HRM Eze Dr. Nwabiaraije Enogwe Celebrates 52 Years on the Throne in Grand Style
The Supreme Royal Palace of HRM Eze Dr. Nwabiaraije Enogwe – Enyi Abia, Paramount Ruler, Ekwueme 1 of Abayi Ancient Kingdom, former first Deputy Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chairman, Ukwa la Ngwa Traditional Rulers Council was agog on Friday, January 3, 2025 as he celebrated his 52 years on the throne in a grand style.
Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe’s grand entrance into the arena with his wife, Ugoeze Rose Nwabiaraije, his children, relatives, in-laws, friends, well-wishers, traditional rulers and other notable personalities from far and near was greeted with deafening canon-shots and resounding applause.
In his opening remarks, the chairman on the occasion, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe represented by the immediate past PDP Chairman, Obingwa LGA, Hon. Chief Seth Agomuo thanked God for keeping HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe on the throne for 52 years in good health and uncommon oomph.
He described him as a rare gem, quintessential traditional ruler and great orator. He prayed God to imbue him more wisdom and bless him with long life, good health as he continues to pilot the affairs of his community to greater height.
In his welcome address read by one of his sons, Prince Junior Nwabiaraije, the celebrant appreciated the large turnout of people who came to rejoice with him and his family on the memorable occasion.
He expressed profound gratitude to God for making it possible for him to be on the throne for 52 years in good health despite numerous challenges.
He appreciated the good people of Abayi Ancient Kingdom for their continued support since he ascended the throne in 1973 and urged them to continue to remain peaceful and law-abiding as well as to pay all government approved taxes and levies to attract more development to the community.
He lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for his positive impact in the fight against corruption, establishment of Southeast Development Commission (SEDC), among others.
HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe also appreciated the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for his quality leadership and monumental achievements in the state within a short time in office especially his massive road construction and rehabilitation projects, flag off of Abia State Airport at Nsulu, increase in the stipend of traditional rulers in the state to mention but a few.
He reassured Governor Alex Chioma Otti of their unalloyed loyalty and continued support to his administration and appealed to him to appoint the people of Abayi Ancient Kingdom in his government, to give them transformer to boost electricity supply in the area and to reconstruct the Abayi- Okoroator Road to alleviate the sufferings of the people, especially during the rainy season.
He extolled the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe for his quality representation and provision of solar streetlights in Abayi Ancient Kingdom as well as the Mayor of Obingwa local government area, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike for grading the Abayi Okoroator-Ukpakiri Road.
In his speech, the Mayor of Obingwa local government area, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike congratulated HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe on his 52 years on the throne.
He described him as a special gift to the people of Obingwa, Abia State and the nation adding that he is the ‘Okwuruoha’ 1 of Abia State because of his exceptional wisdom and oratorical prowess. He wished him long life, good health and many more years of remarkable reign.
In his speech, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) represented by the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Prof. Joel Ogbonna lauded HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe for his huge impact in Obingwa, Abia State and the nation at large.
He commended him for his remarkable leadership in the area and beyond and thanked God for granting him long life on the throne for 52 years.
He described him as a custodian of culture and tradition, an encyclopaedia of knowledge, professor of proverbs and chieftaincy mentorship as well as the living legend of their time.
He said that they are happy to celebrate him while he is alive and assured him that the Abayi-Okoroator Road would be given priority attention as well as the donation of a transformer to boost electricity supply in the community.
He restated the resolve of Dr. Alex Otti’s administration to give the traditional institution its pride of place in the state and urged them to sustain their support for his administration.
In their separate messages, the wife of the celebrant, Ugoeze Rose Nwabiaraije and the first son, Prince Victor Nwabiaraije described HRM Eze Nwabiaraije as a man of the people, great orator, inimitable role model and legendary pacesetter worth celebrating and wished him more prosperous years on the throne.
The ceremony featured conferment of chieftaincy titles on well-deserving personalities in recognition of their humanitarian services and contributions to the development of the society.
Some of those honoured were Major M. J. Sa’ad, the Commanding Officer, 144 Battalion Nigerian Army, Asa, Abia State.
He was conferred with a prestigious Chieftaincy title ‘Ochiagha’ (Commander) for his unrelenting provision of adequate security in the area.
He urged him not to relent in the good work he is doing in the area and prayed that no harm would befall him.
In his response, the young, handsome and gallant commander appreciated HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe most sincerely for the outstanding chieftaincy title conferred on him and promised to sustain his good works in the area.
On his part, Chief Obinna Amanze, a renowned philanthropist and illustrious son of Aro Ngwa in Osisioma Ngwa local government area of Abia State thanked HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe for the exceptional chieftaincy title, ‘Nwachiwalu Uzor’ 1 of Ngwa land conferred on him in recognition of his unprecedented humanitarian services in his community and beyond.
He promised that the chieftaincy title would spur him to do more for them and the society at large.
Speaking after receiving his chieftaincy title of ‘Ochiriozuo’ 1 of Ngwa land, Chief Ikeokwu Williams Chibunna, an indigene of Ovom thanked HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe for the honour done him in recognition of his humanitarian services within and outside his community and promised to do more to better the lot of the people and the society.
Similarly, Elder Chief Monday Obia, the ‘Udokanma’ 1 of Abayi Ancient Kingdom expressed immense gratitude to HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe for finding him worthy of such great honour. The retired civil servant and former NEPA, PHCN, EEDC and Aba Power promised to continue to assist them in ensuring regular power supply in the community.
Barring his mind, Chief Nwanganga Nwaigwe appreciated HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe for honouring him as the Ugochinyere 1 of Ngwa land in appreciation of his good work in his community and Abia State at large.
He said that the chieftaincy title would bring him closer to the community adding that he now sees himself as part and parcel of the community.
Chief Isaac Eche from Nkwerre in Imo State was full of happiness and praises for HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe for conferring on him the chieftaincy title of ‘Ogara Mba Turu Ugo’ in appreciation of his immense contributions to the development of the community. He said that the award would ginger him to do more for them.
In their separate speeches, Chief Native Dr. Ibe Awa, Elder Chief Roland Alozie, Chief Elijah Nwokocha among others lauded the celebrant for honouring them on his 52 years on the throne and wished him many happy and prosperous years ahead.
The grand occasion climaxed with dance and unforgettable reception.
It attracted the presence of notable dignitaries, relatives, friends and well-wishers including his fellow traditional rulers who turned out in their numbers to rejoice with one of their own, HRM Eze Dr. Nwabiaraije Enogwe on his moment of joy and splendour.
Some of those present were HRM Eze Nelson Achilefu Nmerengwa, the first Deputy Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze (Dr.) Friday M. Ikpeazu (former two-time chairman, Obingwa Council of Traditional Rulers), HRH Eze Sir Young Nwangwa, HRH Eze Ngozi Matthias Nwoke, HRH Eze Elder Ogbonna Josiah Nwaenyoghi, HRH Eze Nnamdi Ahuwa Njoku, Dr. Eric Egwuibe, the immediate past Mayor of Obingwa LGA, former executive chairman of Obingwa LGA and YPP candidate for Obingwa, Osisioma, Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency in the 2023 election, Hon. Ibe Nwoke (Abu Dhabi), Rt. Rev. C. C. Ugwuzor, the Bishop of Aba Diocese (Anglican Communion), Dr. Ugochukwu Okoro, the Medical Director, Getwell Hospital, Aba, Bestman Eruba Esq among others.
At the end, the second son of HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe and former chairman, Obingwa local government area, Hon. Prince Obinna Nwabiaraije Esq bared his mind on the occasion. Excerpts.
How do you feel about your father’s 52 years on the throne?
As you can see, we are very happy because it is not easy for somebody to even be on the throne not to talk of staying up to 52 years and still counting by the grace of God. It is a thing of joy and he deserves all that is happening here today. We are happy that the Almighty God in His infinite mercies made it possible for our father, HRM Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe to be alive to celebrate his 52 years on the throne despite numerous challenges associated with the traditional institution. We have every reason to thank God and also pray that all of us would be alive by this time next year to celebrate his 53 years on the throne by the grace of God. At the same time, I also thank all and sundry who irrespective of their other engagements came to rejoice with him and the entire family. I pray that the Almighty God would grant them journey mercies back to their various destinations in Jesus name.
