Excitement as Obi of Issele-Uku emerges with call for kingdom’s recreation

THE ancient Kingdom of Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, is currently revelling in the excitement of the coronation of its king, Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna 11. It was indeed an atmosphere of celebration as Obi Ezeagwuna ascended the throne of his forefathers on December 21, 2016, calling for peace, unity, and recreation of Issele Uku in line with its cultural values. His ascension was part of the series of installation rites that commenced more than one year ago. The 24-year-old engineer started the journey to the throne by first understudying the Oba of Benin for a week. On his return, he was, as tradition demanded, sent to clear a portion of grass, sweep the palace grounds and cut palm kernel by the Okpalas and the Diokpas. All these he performed creditably to the amusement of those present, as he will never again be called upon to perform the acts. A few days after grooming the palace, Crown Prince Nduka underwent Ichi Okpala, which not only made him a red cap chief, but the head of the Okpalas, as well as a real man, as a cross section of titled men explained to Vanguard. Opportunity to misbehave *Deputy Governor Delta State, representing the Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, handing over the Staff of Office to Obi Ezeagwuna II, at Oligbo Palace, Issele-Uku, Delta State. While the Okpalas wear their red cap with a white feather, the Crown Prince’s red cap bears two white feathers, signifying his position. Having been made an Okpala, Prince Nduka proceeded on Ina Obibi; a one-night rite that had the Crown Prince do as he pleases because as a king he will never have the opportunity to misbehave. Following Ina Obibi was Ichi Di Ahu Obi ceremony.  During this ceremony, as illustrated by the Ogbeleani of Issele Uku, Diokpa Isichei Okonkwo, the Crown Prince went to Ogbeofu where everybody in the village was expected to leave their homes for him to take over for a whole day. On the morning of the second day, the head of Ogbeofu village blessed the Crown Prince, as opposed to confronting him. The villagers gathered in front of the house and partook in the blessing ceremony. Diokpa Isichei added that in times past, the Ichi Di Ahu Obi used to span seven days but civilization reduced it to a one-day affair. While the rites went on the palace was traditionally sanctified by a group of people from Obior community in a rite called Idokwama Unor. After completing the aforementioned rites, as well as those not open to the public, on December 21, 2016, Crown Prince Nduka Ezeagwuna was crowned HRM Obi (Engr.) Nduka Ezeagwuna of Oligbo Kingdom. The 20th king of Issele-Uku was crowned by the Onishe of Ogboli, Justice Ozomani, who was accompanied by his kinsmen from Ogboli in the presence of princes, Okpalas and other titled men of the kingdom. The crowning commenced when the Crown Prince was escorted to the throne room by the Otu Egwu Imaba, also known as Egwu Issoh. In the room, the Obi sat before the Onishe who prepared kola and white chalk for the rites. After libation and prayers were done by the Onishe, the Sacred Crown was placed on the crown prince and he was enthroned. Cheers accompanied by singing and dancing received the new Obi when he was presented to his people. The Onishe, speaking to the people, encouraged them to respect the Obi and his decisions, as well as cooperate with him in making Issele Uku a wonderful place. He stated his optimism that new things will happen in the community, as he assured them that Obi Ezeagwuna II’s reign will be better. On December 29, 2016, Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, handed over the  Staff of Office to Obi Ezeagwuna II, as he urged the king to lead with the fear of God. “Lead your people with the fear of God and draw from the wisdom of your people. Adopt the principles of democracy and strive to do that which strengthens the culture and makes the people proud. People of Issele Uku, I implore you to partner with the Obi in seeking the peace and development of this kingdom,” Okowa said. Eye-opening orientation Responding in his speech read by a designate, Obi Ezeagwuna II said; “My sincere tribute goes to Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin for the opportunity given to me by His Royal Majesty to undergo an eye-opening orientation at his palace. The profound mentoring I was privileged to receive from him while there reassured me of my affinity and strong roots. The exposure has strengthened my confidence in the task of leadership of my kingdom. “The various accounts of Issele-Uku fill me with pride and boost my desire to restore it to its past glory, by reinterpreting and giving it modern and technological expressions. In this regard, my clarion call goes to all my people at home and abroad to join hands with me to recreate Issele-Uku. On my part, I will do all that is necessary and possible to foster unity, order, and peace in the land. Cultural values  and identity “The modernity of my dream will have culture as its anchor. In other words, I will pursue the regeneration of our tradition and culture. I appeal to all Issele-Uku people to take interest and participate in our traditional and cultural events for the purpose of keeping them alive. I appeal to you my people to cooperate with me in perpetuating our tradition, cultural values and identity as a legacy we hand over from generation to generation. “I appreciate His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa  for the role he has played as our state governor in ensuring the success of this ceremony. I also thank the state government for locating the Delta State Accelerated Innovation Project in Issele-Uku. We look forward with great expectation to expedited and full take-off of the project which will reduce unemployment among our youths and also create wealth for our people.” Obi-Ezeagwuna II One of the dignitaries at the event, Chief Ike Odue, a member of the coronation committee, who had witnessed three coronation exercises, said the people were optimistic of a prosperous reign. “Everyone is in support of his reign. He will be a wise king and we have high hopes for this Obi and his reign, especially as a result of his educational background. We trust him to rule us right,” he noted. Prince Christopher Akeh-Osu, describing the ceremony as wonderful, said; “the ceremony has been wonderful and the people are impressed. We pray that God will grant the young king the fortitude to succeed.” Highpoints of the occasion were the presentation of the Ada and Eben (marks of authority) to the Obi by representatives from the palace of the Oba of Benin as well as the presentation of the staff of office to the Obi by the governor. Religious heads and traditional rulers from Delta, Anambra, and Edo States, as well as members of the Delta State House of Assembly, attended the event. Specifically, the event had the presence of Mr. Emeka Nwaobi, who represents Aniocha North in Delta State House of Assembly, Princess Pat Ajudua representing Oshimili North, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, and Mr. Theodora Giwa-Amu among others. The people of Issele-Uku sang and danced to the tunes played by the Otu-Ofuobi cultural group of Issele-Uku as they prayed for the successful reign of young Obi, as he was fondly called by a cross section of the people. All these took place with intermittent chants of Doo baa, Doo baa (the salutation for the Obi) by the people. Issele-Uku has a rich history of being one of the leading communities in the Igbo speaking areas of Delta State with prominent sons like Brig Gen Fred Chijiuka, retd, Chief Nuel Ojei, the late Rev  Samuel Wadei (Rev Marthin), the late Prof. Zulu Sofola, and  Air Marshal Paul Dike, retd,  among others. It is the headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area and also the headquarters of the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku.