By Uzo Ugwunze
It was an epoch making event over the weekend at the newly unveiled multi million naira Permanent Igwe’s Palace, Abatete as His Royal Majesty Igwe Engr. Chinyelugo Emeka Efobi, Edeogu II of Abatete Ancient Kingdom celebrated his 5th Ofala festival to mark 20 years on the throne.
The occasion was pomp and pageantry as the la creme de la creme of Idemili North and South Local Government Areas of Anambra State thronged the new palace to felicitate with Igwe Abatete and to witness the honoring of some deserving Sons and Daughters of Idemili with chieftaincy titles by Ndi Igwe Idemili/ Anambra State Idemili North & South Traditional Rulers Council in recognition of their numerous contributions towards the well-being of Umu Idemili and the development of their various communities.
The event which featured celebration of Illustrious Sons of Idemili North and South attracted all the 17 traditional rulers from the two local government areas, including the Chairman Anambra state Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Eze Iweka III of Obosi, Former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, Former Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka, Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, House of Rep Aspirant, Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu (Ike Cubana), Mayor of Idemili North, Hon Stanley Nkwoka (Ochendo Idemili), CEO Pineleaf Estate and Properties, Archbishop Onyeka Nzekwesi ( Chinakalibeya) ,reputable businessmen and also many traditional rulers from other parts of Anambra state.
According to His Royal Majesty Igwe Chinyelugo Emeka Efobi, today’s event was a triple celebration: This is my 20 years on this throne as the traditional ruler of Abatete; Today is my 5th Offala festival; and also the official opening of the Permanent Palace of Igwe Abatete which is one of the biggest permanent palace in the entire South East.
“This new, magnificent, multi million naira permanent Palace of Igwe Abatete was built singlehandedly by one of our Illustrious Son, Chief Nathan Ogbatue, Owelle Abatete but today confirmed Owelle Idemili,” said Igwe Efobi.
The traditional ruler who was overwhelmed with joy commended Owelle Idemili Idemili Chief Ogbatue for his benevolence and other sons and daughters of Abatete who are working tirelessly for the progress of their community. He prayed to God to continue to bless and protect the good people of Abatete any where they found themselves.
Igwe Efobi further urged his people to maintain that love and peace which Abatete is known for, and asked God to give longevity to all the people of Abatete.
The Anambra state commissioner for Information Chief Dr Law Mefor who is an Indigene of Abatete community and also a member of Igwe In Council in an interview said that the triple events was a celebration of love, peace and progress the people of Abatete were enjoying as a result of the good leadership of their traditional ruler.
Chief Mefor further revealed that most of the development in their community were done by the Illustrious Sons of Abatete just as he commended Chief Nathan Ogbatue, Owelle Idemili for his magnanimity to the people of Abatete and beyond. According to the commissioner Owelle has built houses for widows, and tarred many roads in the community.
The trio of Chief Nathan Ogbatue from Abatete, (Owelle Idemili), Chief Okwuduba Anyaorah from Oba, (Ijele Idemili) and. Hamilton Ezeonu from Nnobi (Ikemba Idemili) in their separate speeches thanked all the traditional Rulers of Idemili North & South for recognizing their contributions towards the well-being of Umu Idemili and development of their various communities pledging that they will do more.
The highlights of the event include Grand opening of the permanent Igwe’s Palace, Installation of new Abatete chiefs into chieftancy cabinet, Idemili North & South installation of Chiefs by the Traditional Rulers of the 17 communities – chaired by the Chairman of Anambra State traditional Rulers Council, Eze Iweka III; Cultural dances like Choice dancers from Obosi, Igba-Ike, Egedege by Theresa Onuorah band group, different Masquerades.
