People of all strata in the bourgeoning Odu-n’Izu Oha autonomous community of Ahiazu-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State were in a carnival mood penultimate weekend.
It was the formal unveiling of their new Eze, the Duzie Ọha II, after more than two years of the demise of Duzie Ọha I.
Ndi-nze, titled chiefs, very distinguished personalities, resplendently-attired men and women, cultural and youth groups – just about everyone – joyously slapped each other’s backs and exchanged pumped handshakes in celebration.
Cultural troupes, a stand-up disc jockey, among others, thrilled the pulsating crowd to no end.
Then, a brief hush fell on the audience as a simple blue-coloured Sienna coupe rolled to a stop right into the arena. One of the cultural groups gathered up its musical paraphernalia and pushed up to it as the door was rolled open.
Out stepped buxom Hon. Obilo Vitalis Chikere, and his delectable wife Sabina (of Edo State ancestral origins): the new king and queen had arrived and the crescendo picked up again, with the very energetic youth group hyping the tempo with gyration-inspiring dance steps from those who knew how.
As Jude Nwachukwu, began to speak, the din was palpable again. Jude (he did not care to give me his title or the fullness of the “E” of his native name), chairman of the Odu-n’Izu Oha Ezeship Selection/Election/Screening committee, then went on to enunciate the challenge his team had, and the very excruciating circumstances leading to the emergence of Eze-elect Obilo Vitalis Chikere.
Historians among the people would simply take away the fact that Chikere was actually the last to be nominated and became the choice of 11 members of the committee of 14 (two each from the seven federating villages of the two brother-clans of Umuodu and Izu-Oha) to become the Duzie Ọha II.
Nwachukwu began to tell the people it was a tortuous assignment beginning June 17, 2024 with a short span and many intimidating challenges. For instance, the three committee members who stopped coming after signing the oath of allegiance and secrecy did not confide in anybody why they stopped coming to meetings after inauguration.
Yet, 11 members persevered. So, of the final three candidates found eligible for screening, the Odu-n’Izu Oha Development Union (OIDU) had permitted the certified committee to set a 700-point mark for scores concerning meaningful means of livelihood, bonafide citizenship, active participation in age grade activities, academic attainment, having a befitting personal house in the community, character, and medically-certified health fitness.
Eze-elect Chikere took his superlative scores of 90%, 100%, 85% and 85% from the last four gradings to make 94.20% (666) of the total 700. The nearest came 71.40% and the third 66.4%. Committee chairman, Nwachukwu, told a cheering Odu-n’Izu-Oha autonomous community assembly that the committee decision was unanimous.
Executive secretary of Odu-na-Izu-Oha autonomous community union, Kingsley Omire, who has become President-General (P-G) of the town unions associations of the community after Chikere himself resigned the post upon his elevation, could not come to terms with his pride with the committee’s success.
Sitting Traditional Prime Minister (TPM) Chief Donne A. Chikere, (who happens to be the blood elder brother of the Eze-elect), beamed in pride as he enunciated the OIDU-cum-Eze-In-Council midwifery of the process. It was a carnival.
Eventualy, one last candidate to be unanimously nominated by the elders, members of Eze-In-Council and a broad membership of ODIU, finally emerged as the most eligible and the chosen one.
Source: Beats-onit.com
