Legal Practitioner, 38 Others Bag Chieftaincy Titles In Onicha

By Our Reporter

It was a moment of celebration and honour at Onicha Igboeze Autonomous Community, as a prominent legal practitioner, Barrister Ogbonnaya Okorie, alongside 38 other distinguished personalities drawn from various villages within the community, were conferred with chieftaincy titles by their traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Ferdinand Okoronkwo Nwujor.

The colourful ceremony, held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the Eze’s palace in Amuzu Ugwu, attracted a mammoth crowd of indigenes, friends, and well-wishers who gathered to witness the epoch-making event.

In his address, Eze Nwujor explained that the occasion marked the first anniversary of his cabinet, noting that the chieftaincy conferment was a recognition of the honorees’ selfless service, dedication, and contributions to the peace and development of Onicha Igboeze. "After monitoring the activities of my cabinet members and finding them worthy of their positions during their one-year probation, I decided to reward their commitment by bestowing these titles on them,” the royal father stated.

He praised the awardees for their roles in conflict resolution, family reconciliation, and restoration of trust in the traditional institution, adding that the gesture was meant to motivate them towards greater responsibilities in community service. Eze Nwujor emphasized that peace and unity remain the foundation for progress, warning that development would elude any community plagued by hatred and violence. He charged the people of Onicha Igboeze to sustain peace and security as a collective priority. "I deliberately made my cabinet broad and inclusive, appointing at least three representatives from each village and incorporating individuals from diverse backgrounds. This ensures that every matter brought before us is thoroughly and fairly handled,” he added. The monarch, however, cautioned the title recipients against using their new positions for self-aggrandizement or divisive acts, warning that any erring member would have their title withdrawn. Among the honorees were Barrister Ogbonnaya Okorie, who doubles as the Cabinet Secretary and was conferred with the title Ogbuefi Akajiugo I of Onicha Igboeze; Prime Minister, Chief Simon Mbe Nwakpa (Afu Nwa Echeta Nna); Public Relations Officer, Chief Ogbonnaya Odabe (Ome Mma); Cabinet Press Secretary, Chief Prince Chijioke Agwu; Chief Isienyi, Chief Akpuru Anoke (Onyechimereze), and several others. The event, which also featured cultural displays, traditional music, and dance, was described by many as a historic milestone in the annals of Onicha Igboeze, reflecting the Eze’s commitment to inclusive leadership and community development.