High Chief Eze Chukwudi Okparaku Crowned As The New Igbo Leader Of Abaranje Okerube Community.
By Onome Naomi
The Igbos in Abaranje Okerube community in unity had chosen a new leader to lead the igbos in fairness and truth by confirming High Chief Eze Chukwudi Okparaku due to his exemplary lifestyle in leadership roles and responsibilities over the years.
The coronation took place at the premises of the Okparakus on the 22nd, September, 2022 with several other igbo speaking council leaders in attendance.
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The President of the Igbo speaking community, Chief Sunday Eze displayed the ethics of what the socio- cultural organisation stands for as well as observed customs and traditions in association with the proceedures of conferment. He stated that as a king maker, the essence of the rules and regulations recited is a path to guide the new leader towards achieving the essence of his newly conferred status as a King while serving the igbo people in his community of rulership.
Speaking with Eze Okparaku, he stated that the igbo speaking community in lagos crowned him because there is no kingly representative of igbos in Abaranje unlike the other communities around and as such he has been found worthy to be conferred with the title to maintain the culture and traditions of the igbos as well as maintain peace and equity amongst the people in the community not minding their race, tribe or cultural ethics.
He further told the press that he is officially the newly crowned Igwe and should be addressed as High Chief Eze Boniface Chukwudi Okparaku, “Amuruonyenaego”, Eze Chukwukwado, Ndigbo Abaranje Okerube. In addition, he said promoting peace, harmony and showing magnanimity amongst people has been a core value he holds dearly and as such he has made it a matter of priority to provide for the less priviledged, the widows as well as some forms of youth empowerment etc. A truly detribalised system of leadership in an overly supportive act to create development in the society.
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Eze Okparaku further confirmed to Naomi Sophy Blog that by virtue of his position he will lead an exemplary leadership role like he had done for many years. He also revealed that the Abaranje cabinet chiefs will be different from all seen and known, a way of creating an evident difference in the outlook of what leadership should be.
“We will practice genuine igbo culture and tradition, the people are going to see innovations according the trends of the 21st century , promoting culture to its highest level, people should expect to see a different setting entirely from what is seen and heard in the times past, he noted.”
Eze Chukwudi Okparaku named his new palace ” Obi Egede”, “Fortress Palace”.
Onowu High Chief Boniface Francis, the newly crowned Onowu also stated that the igbo tradition has been something practised for a long time, a reason he is a “traditionalist” by birth and inclination. Without mincing words, the conferment is an official position now confirmed due to the act of leadership and its responsibilities both financially and socially displayed by Eze Okparaku in the last 27yrs without conferment. The igbos in the community has been elevated to this newest status, given a true leader who will lead them as he has done in many years. The Onowu is certain that Eze Okparaku and his new council, will make sure every right and opportunity an igbo man should get in the community is been given to him.
High Chief Francis as the traditional prime minister, the onowu of “Obi Egede” palace further said he has been given the right and responsibility to assist the new Ezendigbo in making crucial decisions to the growth and development of the igbos and every other tribe in the community stating that the igbos are prominently progressive in every community. We do not want to dominate other tribes as heads but to be as a pacesetter for other leaders to emulate the leadership style in enhancing development, working together as a team, while the Ezendigbo will play Advisory roles to make sure that we get the best during his tenure as the youngest Eze in Lagos State, he said.
As the name ” Obi Egede” implies, this is a good representation to show that every interest of igbo in abaranje is protected as we stand for the truth without fear or Favour, High Chief Francis stated.
Obi of Abaranje, High Chief Benjamin Olikagu, “The Akajiofor” of Abaranje Ikotun a member of the council of Igbo Speaking community told the press that Abaranje and okerube is crowning their king and Eze Boniface Chukwudi Okparaku has been found worthy of this position. As a kingmaker, he said his role is to make sure the tradition of the igbo is perfected perfectly for the installation as decided by the Igbos in Abaranje Okerube community.
Ugoeze aka Eziwanyi of Abaranje Okerube, Lolo Ugoeze Mrs Chizoba Okparaku, the wife of Eze Chukwudi Boniface Okparaku upon her new status, told the media that as a mother of the “Obi Egede” palace, she will in her capacity stand as a great support to her husband in achieving maximum result in his leadership responsibilities. As a woman leader, she will also see to the plight of abused women and widows, support them financially by way of empowerment as well as bring all women in the community together in unity.
The space for a true and worthy Igbo leader in Abaranje has been in parameters for many years now and as such, the coronation of the first Eze of Abaranje is a great development towards bringing the igbos of Abaranje Okerube community together in unity and peace as against all odds or indifference felt by some aspiring persons whom through words on the street have been vieing for the position but wasn’t found worthy by the Igbo speaking committee council to assume this position.
Eze Okparaku being found worthy has in great lengths shown his space in the minds of the igbos due to his Magnanimity, leadership qualities and his peace loving nature to all sundry.
Watch video of the event:
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