Last Ofala: Amawbia Regent Pledges to Hand Igweship To a Youth

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

Architect Nnaemeka Maduka, the regent of Amawbia Town in Awka South Local government area of Anambra State, has declared that the next traditional ruler, ‘Okpaligwe’ of the community would be a youth in respect of the wishes of the late Igwe Chinyelu Nnaemeka Molokwu (Okpaligwe II).

Maduka made the remarks in his acceptance speech after the President General of the community, Mr Godwin Aronu handed the mantle of leadership, as the regent (Osojeze) to him and officially declared the seat of Okpaligwe vacant during Igwe Molokwu’s last ofala festival at his palace in Amawbia.
According to him, he was determined to ensure that a successor to the throne was a youth as it was the wish of the late monarch who pleaded that the mantle be handed to a youth who will ensure peace, unity and progress of the community.

“The Late Igwe’s wish is my command. The peace and harmony among us with respect to the youths will be maintained till we select a competent Youth who will lead us safely to the future. God will help us to elect the one with the capacity.

“This celebration is not a celebration of joy but pain. The elected Igwe that was doing well died within his short stay, if it is the handwork of men or how God wants it, only God knows, I beg Amawbia Community to come together to settle issues among themselves. I’m pleading with the Ozo-titled men who have misunderstandings within themselves to settle the matter today.

The President General of Amawbia Eng, Godwin Aronu on handing over the mantle of leadership to the regent said that “From this day onward, you are the regent of Amawbia for six months, His Royal Majesty Arch. Nnaemeka Maduka, your reign begins today.
In his speech, the President General said that the Late Igwe’s reign as the Traditional Ruler of Amawbia started in December 2020 and he worked tirelessly for the peace, progress and unity of Amawbia town, and devoted his time in conflict resolutions.

“He was at the forefront in ensuring that the Amawbia Vigilante team were equipped to help keeping peace in Amawbia though his reign was not too long as God deemed it fit to call him home.

Nze Emmanuel Nwokoye, a member of the Igwe cabinet and former Executive Secretary to State Boundary Committee in an interview said that the late Igwe was a man of peace, who made sure that Amawbia Community was in peace.

“He will forever be remembered for peace. He made Amawbia what it is today; development, progress, and other things. His loss is a wound on us and we are praying that God will help us to elect another Igwe who will continue from where he stopped.
Nze Ndubuisi Nwokoye, a former Special Senior Adviser (SSA) to former Governor, Willie Obiano on Trade and commerce, however, disclosed that the community would go back to the table, discuss on the way forward in electing another Igwe in accordance with the lay down procedure.
“Igweship is rotational in Amawbia.

We have to work according to our constitution. It (the throne) supposed to be (passed to) Ngene village but the regent is from Ngene, so, the outcome of the meeting will determine the next thing to do”, he said.