The Traditional Ruler of Abatete in Anambra State’s Idemili North LGA, Igwe Engr. Emeka Efobi, has conferred the chieftaincy title of ‘Ichie Atu Abatete’ on Prince Dr. Chinedu Chris Ikeanyi, a California-based physician.
Dr. Ikeanyi, who serves as Secretary General of the Association of Nze na Ozo and Chiefs (ANOC) in Southern California, USA, is also an Ozo title holder and a son of the late Igwe Davidson Okafor Ikeanyi of Enugwu-Agidi in Njikoka LGA.
Igwe Efobi, while charging him to sustain the tempo, urged the younger generation especially those living overseas to always remember their roots wherever they find themselves.
Speaking at the occasion, the celebrant, Prince Dr Chinedu Chris Ikeanyi viewed the new title as a clarion call to do more in promotion of culture and charity works, which according to him, would help in rebuilding the Igbo nation.
Ikeanyi, while recalling his long tie relationship with Abatete people, further charged the Igbo living overseas to always remember their homes and be committed towards reengineering peace and progress of their neighbours.
He recalled that their organisation, ANOC, has been at the forefront of promoting Igbo values and culture through teaching and sensitisation of the people on what marriage should be, importance of our language and ethiquette of building a happy home as inherited from our forefathers but inline with international best practices.
“We make the Igbo living or schooling in the USA know that our culture remains the best all over the world. We visit schools, faculties and streets to engage with our people. We organise programmes and events to bring our people together to learn why it is important to speak our languages.
“We also make them understand how our cultural values, especially our marriage institution remains the best. We encourage the husbands and wives to join in raising their children so they can enjoy happy homes. We teach how the husbands should treat their wives, and how the wives should treat their husbands, and how best they can jointly train their children. We try as much as possible to dismiss all the myths that are causing domestic issues and retrogression.
” For instance, house chores is not meant for any gender. Providing for the family is not also reserved to anyone. You do not have to abandon sweeping, laundry or washing of plates because you are a titleholder. As titleholders, we were rather taught to be ambassadors of peace, uphold truth and justice always. We also encourage our people to always think home by visiting their towns to build legacy projects,” he added.
Speaking in separate interviews, a native of Enugwu-Agidi, Chief Innocent Anieme and a civil servant , Mr Pius Nwankwo, who came to celebrate with Ikeanyi, praised him on his forthright for championing the Igbo cause both across the sea and home, even as they described him as a trailblazer whose love for humanity neither discriminates nor fades out.
