Umueleghele Autonomous Community Presents Morrison Ikpeamaeze As Their Eze-elect
It was jubilation galore as the people of Umueleghele Autonomous Community in Isiala Ngwa South local government area of Abia State unanimously presented their Eze-elect, Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze to the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele with pomp and ceremony.
The historic occasion took place at the Isiala Ngwa South Council Headquarters, Omoba on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
The presentation ceremony scheduled to hold in the morning commenced later in the afternoon because of the absence of the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele who was said to have gone to Umuahia that morning for an emergency meeting.
However, the whole place was agog with the presence of a large number of people including a galaxy of notable personalities from far and near.
There was no dull moment as several cultural troupes and women dance groups present thrilled them with special renditions and spectacular performances while they eagerly awaited the arrival of Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele.
As soon as the Mayor, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele arrived with his entourage and duly seated, the presentation ceremony commenced immediately with an opening prayer by Engr. Ikpeamaeze N. Festus. It was followed by presentation of kola nut.
Thereafter, the chairman of the Adhoc Electoral Committee, Engr. Izuchukwu Matthew Odor read their address on behalf of the President General of Umueleghele Autonomous Community, High Chief P. C. Njoku who was absent.
In their address, the people of Umueleghele Autonomous Community said that it was their unanimous decision to come and present their Eze-elect, Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze to the Isiala Ngwa South Council boss, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele as their next traditional ruler following the demise of their pioneer traditional ruler, HRH Eze Fine Amamba eight years ago.
They said that the election they conducted on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, which produced Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze as their Eze-elect was generally accepted by the people as credible, transparent, free and fair stressing that since then nobody has challenged the election rather the entire community is happy with it while peace has continued to reign in the community.
High Chief P. C. Njoku appreciated the people for their profound love and overwhelming support for Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze adding that he is eminently qualified to rule them.
At the end of their address, Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze was duly presented to the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele for recognition and recommendation to Abia State government for acceptance and presentation of staff of office to him as the Ele Ukwu 11 of Umueleghele Autonomous Community.
In his speech, the chairman of Isiala Ngwa South Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze J. C. Ngobi attested to Chief Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze’s good character and urged him to rule his people with the fear of God.
On his part, the first Vice Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Nelson Nmerengwa expressed great satisfaction with the presentation of Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze as the Eze-elect of Umueleghele Autonomous Community.
He described it as a welcome development and heaved a huge sigh of relief adding that his problem has been greatly reduced.
According to him, he has been handling the affairs of the community since the death of their traditional ruler eight years ago.
He disclosed that Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze is a very humble, respectful, dependable, intelligent, hardworking and God-fearing man and urged the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele to receive him.
In his remarks, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele commended the people of Umueleghele Autonomous Community for the peaceful conduct of the election that produced Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze as their Eze-elect as well as for gracing the occasion in their numbers.
He drew their attention to a particular paragraph in their address which revealed that there were no complaints from any quarter after the election since then till date meaning that the entire community is happy with the outcome of the election.
Thereafter, he asked them if they agreed that Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze is now their Eze-elect and they shouted a thunderous ‘yes’ in unison.
The Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele congratulated the Eze-elect, Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze and wished him well.
In his response, the Eze-elect, Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze appreciated the people for finding him worthy to be their traditional ruler as well as for accompanying him to Omoba in their numbers for his presentation to the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele.
He thanked Barr. Innocent Obisike Ezengwa who came all the way from Kaduna to identify with him for his great love and sacrifice.
He lauded his co-contestants for their uncommon team spirit and brotherly love saying that they also attended his presentation ceremony.
He said that they do not have problem in their community and would not allow anyone to cause problem for them.
He promised not to disappoint the confidence reposed in him and urged the people to sustain their support for him, the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele, the present state government under the able leadership of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) and the traditional rulers of the area adding that together they would take Umueleghele Autonomous Community to the next level.
The presentation ceremony was a huge success. It climaxed with a vote of thanks by Nze T. O. Enogwe.
It was well-attended. Some of those present were Hon. Eberechukwu Ahuruonye (Deputy Mayor), Sir Azu George Uzoma (HoS), Celestial Nnabugwu (treasurer), K. N. Ukpai (HPM), Comrade Ochonma Chikaodi (NULGE Chairman), Comrade Iroulo Prince (welfare chairman), Berna Ajuzie, Enogwe Innocent, HRM Ezeji G. N. Nwankpa, HRM Eze Charles Nwagbara, HRM Eze E. O. Nwosu, Surveyor Allwell Chinyerem Amamba, Chief Sir Innocent Obisike Ezengwa, a renowned Kaduna-based legal among others.
At the end of the presentation ceremony, all roads led to Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze’s palatial Umueleghele home for an unforgettable reception.
The popular, amiable, indefatigable, God-fearing and quintessential Eze-elect was well-prepared for the mammoth guests.
He did more than what other families do on such occasion. There was more than enough to eat and drink.
The whole place was lively and the different
live-bands and cultural troupes present entertained the people throughout the night.
At the end, everybody went home satisfied and full of praises for what the Eze-elect, Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze has done for them and prayed God to grant him long life, good health and wisdom to pilot the affairs of his community.
In a chat with Jideofor Ugwanyi, Signal Publisher, the Eze-elect, Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze, Barr. Innocent Obisike Ezengwa and Surveyor Allwell Chinyerem Amamba bared their mind on the occasion. Excerpts.
Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze (Eze-elect, Umueleghele Autonomous Community)
Sir, let us meet you.
I am Morrison Onyemaechi Ikpeamaeze, the Eze-elect of Umueleghele Autonomous Community in Isiala Ngwa South local government area of Abia State. I am a businessman. I am based in Kaduna and I am the Eze Igbo of Kaduna.
How do you feel about what happened today in your life and community?
It is a thing of joy. I never dreamt of becoming a traditional ruler but my people approached me severally to come and be their traditional ruler. Initially, I was so reluctant but when the pressure became so much I yielded to their request. So I did not actually choose to contest for the traditional stool of my community. It is the people that dragged me into it. Maybe due to my good character and things like that. So I contested and at the end of the day I won and today I am so happy.
What are you going to do for your people?
I told them that I would do my best for them. They are going to enjoy a very good rulership under me. I will carry them along and together we would take our community to greater height. On the other hand, they should be diligent and law-abiding. They should eschew all kinds of criminality within and outside the community.
Chief Sir Innocent Obisike Ezengwa
(Kaduna-based legal luminary)
I am from Eziala Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North local government area of Abia State. The Eze-elect is my bosom friend. He told me about the occasion and I had to come all the way from Kaduna to witness it because I love good things. Both of us reside in Kaduna and we know ourselves. I do not associate with people of questionable character. He is a man of integrity to the best of my knowledge that is why I am solidly behind him.
What is your advice to him?
My advice to him is very simple. Let him continue with his good character. I have no doubt in my mind that he would be upright in his judgement as a traditional ruler. I wish him long life, good health and wisdom to pilot the affairs of his community well.
Surveyor Allwell Chinyerem Amamba
I am an indigene of Umueleghele Autonomous Community in Isiala Ngwa South local government area of Abia State. The Eze-elect is my uncle and we have been together right from childhood till date. We unanimously elected him as our Eze-elect and today we went to our council headquarters at Omoba and presented him to the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele for recognition as our undisputed Eze-elect and we urged him to recommend him to the state government for presentation of staff of office to him. He is a very good man. He worked at WAEC and when he retired he joined business and he is doing very well. Because of his good character, Ndi Igbo in Kaduna chose him as Eze Ndigbo. The people of Umueleghele Autonomous Community also saw the good character in him and approached him to come and be our traditional ruler. He hesitated initially but after much pressure he accepted. We conducted election and he won. I advise him to make God the bedrock of his life and rulership. He should continue to be humble. He should not listen to gossip. In fact, there is nothing I can tell him about our place and people that he does not know. My prayer is that God who gave him the position would give him the wisdom and knowledge to pilot the affairs of our community to greater height.
