Eze Peter Ifeanyi Asonye, ( The Lord Mayor) Eze Ohazurume Ndigbo na Lekki in the middle with his Ugoeze Chikaodila on the right while HRH Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanweh on his immediate left.
From Everest Ezihe, Lagos
Last Sunday, Chief Ifeanyi Asonye ( The Lord Major ) of Umuneke Uguru in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, shot Lagos State to a standstill, as the entire State was traversed with Igbo cultural identities, starting with cultural dances, masquerades, flutists, drummers and traditional attires from distinct communities in the 5 South Eastern States and States like Rivers and Delta, paraded major streets and roads of Nigeria most commercial hub city.
The Occasion was Asonye’s coronation as the Eze Ohazurume Ndigbo of Lekki by High Chief Solomon Aguene ( Mayor of Peace),the President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Lagos State Chapter, it was an evergreen occasion spiced up with Igbo cultural identities and statements of facts, ( Igbo nwere madu, Igbo nwere Eze, Igbo nwere ndi nduu).
The intimidating convoy that includes reverred traditional rulers from South East, Nigeria led by HRH Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanweh, ( The Obi Gburugburu of Igbo Land) as Royal Father of the day with exotic cars, left Ajao Estate with pomp and pagentry.
The people were excited seeing Igbo cultural identity and unity of purpose in action just as the flutists, cultural dancers, drummers and masquerades voraciously spiced up the environments as the troupe landed the ever busy, Ohanaeze Ndigbo State Secretariat, Surulere Lagos for the prestigious life time coronation.
The entire streets and adjoining roads within the secretariat was momentarily closed down, due to mammoth crowd and vehicular, coupled with extravaganza displays of some Igbo cultural heritages, just as the flutists and drummers were never found wanting both in creativity and initution. The people ran crazy cheering with excitement.
Over 200 Eze Ndigbo within and in Diaspora as well as other ethnic groups traditional leaders both in Lagos and outside the State were in attendance at the coronation, handled by High Chief Solomon Aguene ( Udochia), the Akajiofo Ndigbo in Lagos as well as,the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Lagos State chapter
The crowning of Chief Ifeanyi Asonye and his beautiful but humble wife, Lolo Chikaodila as Eze Ohazurume Ndigbo of Lekki and Ugoeze were tonics in the historical crowning of traditional rulers and their wives outside the abode of their ancestral home, as the recognition and acceptance were unprecedented.
Aguene turbaned him with a golden crown, staff of office, traditional hand fan, Certificate of Recognition etc, together with his wife and enjoined them not to use the positions to support injustice and intimidate their subjects.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo President further advised him against using the position to cause undue rivalry with his indigenous traditional ruler or other ancestrally recognized and crowned traditional rulers in and outside Igboland.
He was also enjoined not to ascribe unto himself, titles like His Royal Highness (HRH), His Royal Majesty ( HRM), His Imperial Majesty ( HIM) or any other title that may sound confrontational or in conflict with native traditional rulers and leaders.
That he is only a custodian of Igbo cultural heritages and promotion in Lekki, Lagos State, and the traditional leader and father of all Igbos resident or doing businesses in the area.
The ever increasing entourage with Igbo cultural extravaganza, moved down to Union Bank Club, Bode Thomas Surulere for the reception of the illustrious son of Igboland, Chaired by Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, CON,(Okeiyi Amichi) and CEO Chisco Group of Companies, and were shocked that their 10,000 sitting capacity open field air conditioned canopy is already filled up with personalities.
HRH Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanweh, JP ( Obi Gburugburu of Igboland), Chairman, Okigwe Senatorial Zone of Imo State Global Elders/ Leaders Council as well as the Deputy Chairman, South East Traditional Rulers Council, was seizure of all eyes in his magnificent regalia with culturally endowed outing palace guides, as he courageously worked majestically, their costumes were behold of beauty just as they demonstrated embodiments of royalty.
Thus, Eze Ohanweh with the prestige of traditional pomp and pagentry, led the other first class traditional rulers from different States in South East like HRH Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, Diawa of Umudiawa kingdom, Oroko, Abia State, HRM Eze Oba Ihianyichukwu Nwokenna( Gidi N’ Oba) of Ekeoba Kingdom, HRM Eze Ifeanyichukwu Ezeigbo, the Ochima of Uhiabiri/ Umuchima/ Amanso and HRM Igwe Afam Ume-Ezeoke, Igwe na eje Uka of Amichi, Nnewi South LGA, Anambra State among the litany of others to the beautifully decorated but jam-packed arena.
In his speech, Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, as Chairman of the occasion expressed gratitude for being an Igbo man and commended Ibos for their enterprising and unity of purpose despite unjustifiable envy and jealousness from some other ethnic nationalities.
Anyaegbu described Chief Ifeanyi Asonye and his wife, Lolo Chikaodila as true Ambassadors of Igbo ethnic nationality assuring of his willingness in participating in anything that has to do with the progress and unity of the ethnic group.
He canvassed for think home philosophy, called for love and unity of purpose among the Igbos, and cautioned against petty jealousness, pull him down and if not me, syndromes.
Similarly, HRH Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanweh of Isiama Community in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State, as the Distinguished Royal Father of the Day, said that, “today’s occasion is unique and historic, because our illustrious son, to whom we all in Isiala Mbano, Imo State are well pleased. We are happy that he has being divinely chosen to be the custodian of her ethnic group’s cultural and traditional heritages in a foreign land( Lekki ) where they are happily living in harmony, peace, progress and unity of purpose with their host communities. Asonye, is a Prince as he belongs to the lineage of kingship.
“As the traditional spiritual oracle of Okigwe Senatorial zone of Imo State comprising 6 Local Government Areas, that’s Okigwe, Isiala Mbano , Ehime Mbano, Onuimo, Ihitte Uboma and Obowo, am here to give our support and blessings to our worthy son who God in His infinite mercy and grace, at this point in time, has saddled with the enormous responsibilities of protecting and uplifting his ethnic group’s cultural and traditional identities, outside Igboland, what a privilege?.
“I stand bold to say that, I came with the magnitude of all ancestral authorities in Igboland to give our support, and endorsement of the coronation of High Chief Peter Ifeanyi Asonye( The Lord Mayor)as Eze Ohazurume Ndigbo of Lekki LCDA.
“My message today, as a spiritual oracle of the ancestors, is that Igbos must continue to excel and dominate their environment, however, Umunna m, Udo ka nma, Onye aghala nwanne ya, Aku ruo ulo wu ya ka Chaa mma, Igbo kelenu ! Igbo rienu !! Atala m ya wu ukwa, ma ja Kwaa eze.
“As an Oracle of Most High God, I said is well with you and your family, Eze Peter Ifeanyi Asonye( The Lord Mayor) Ohazurume of Lekki, I ga achi ka.
“I give authority to Lekki and most especially Lagos State at large, to bless our people abundantly, because we mean well to the State. Am a Lagosian too, I lived here for years and I also have my investments here.
“It’s my prayers that Igbos living in every part of Nigeria should live in harmony, peace, love, unity of purpose so as to reap bountifully the fruits of the land, na ihi na aku ruo ulo, o wu ya ka chaa mma.Igbos are one, and must always be united because, we have common enemies and we are jealously hated by some of the ethnic groups in Nigeria.
“It’s not the faults of Igbo men to be hardworking, enterprising, courageous, bold, patriotic, focused and visionary. Lagos State hear me, we Igbos, have contributed immensely in your development and positive transformations. In all endeavours of life, we mean well to you. We hereby, give you one of our best, to be a custodian of our cultural and traditional heritages in this community called Lekki and Lagos at large, therefore, no weapon, fashioned against him and his household, will ever prosper in Jesus name, Amen.
“We are people endeared with culture and traditions, even in Diaspora we encourage the need for, sustenance, respect and practice of our cherished cultural and traditional heritages” he emphasized.
In his remarks, Eze Asonye as also a business icon, expressed gratitude to the people for honouring his invitation noting that his coronation as Eze Ohazurume Ndi Igbo, Lekki LCDA is a symbol for upliftment and growth of the people of Lekki, Lagos State, Ndigbo and Nigeria at large.
The Philanthropist reassured of his commitment not to take the position for granted, insisting that promotion and sustenance of good Igbo cultural and traditional heritages will be in the front burner of his traditional administration, just as welfare, justice, brotherly love and unity of purpose among Igbos in his domain will never be compromised.
Responding to news men on how he felt about the occasion, Mr. Edmund Onyiriogwu, one of the organizer’s of the event said that, Eze Asonye has broken all records in the history of preparations for coronations of traditional rulers in Lagos State, not only in terms of huge budget, but also, in terms of mobilizations of crowd and high profile individuals for the event.
Onyiriogwu pointed out that the presence of first class traditional rulers from the South East was historic and further validated the recognition of Eze stool
