By Uzo Ugwunze
Oba Patriotic Union(OPU), Women’s Wing (Inyom Oba) has resolved to intensify prayers for free, fair and peaceful election of a new traditional ruler, the EzeOkpoko II of Oba Kingdom.
The President, OPU Women Wing, Adaife Ngozi Chizoba Onwuka made the disclosure in an address during the 2024 Oba Women’s Home and Abroad general Meeting at Oba Civic Center, Idemili South Local Government Area, (ISLGA) Anambra State.
According to Mrs. Onwuka, the cardinal prayer point of Oba women all over the world is for the emergence of a monarch who has the heart of a true leader and the fear of God.
Even as she thanked God for the successful election of the President General OPU, Engr. Uzo Ejiofor (Ugonnia), Onwuka lamented that since the demise of the late monarch, Igwe Peter Ezenwa (EzeOkpoko 1 of Oba) in 2018, some persons have been frustrating the process of a smooth transition towards a successor for the vacant throne.
“We are aware that some crafty elements from both within and outside Oba community are bent on Jeopardizing the smooth Igwe EzeOkpoko II selection/election process but with God all things are possible”.
“Inyom Oba has been praying continuously for God to take control over this Igweship tussle asking him to avert anything that will cause shedding of blood.
“We have been praying for peace in Oba community asking God to give us a good and befitting leader not an illiterate, tyrant or gold digger that will not have the interest of the people and the community.
She also disclosed plans by the OPU Women Wing to embark on a mega project, the launching of Inyom Oba ‘New Uniform’.
“Our intention is to hold a women carnival, the first of its kind by August 2025. The carnival is a kind of mass return featuring: unveiling of new uniform, recognition cum awards presentation to deserving members from home and in diaspora, dance and cultural display in fact a kind of funfare that will attract both friends and well wishers from far and near,” Mrs Onwuka said.
While encouraging Oba women to be serious in doing business at the Afor-Uzo market, she urged the President General OPU who was their special guest to ensure that street traders were compelled to enter and take up shops inside Afor-Uzo market to avoid road accidents.
She further urged the PG to facilitate the relocation of Oba courts through the Anambra State Ministry of Justice from the temporary building complex to the permanent site, stressing that it was high time Oba women take possession of the building which was their hall.
Onwuka further lamented the state of insecurity in Oba community which has been scaring people away from home urging the community leaders to collaborate with security agencies in order to tackle the ugly trend of kidnapping, extortion, robbery and violence often emanating from the community.
The 2nd Vice President of the Inyom Oba, Amb. Adaife Christy Ubadike (JP) advised women to learn from the various seminars and teachings given to them during the general meeting which include being submissive to their husbands and ensuring they call their husbands by a pet name like Honey, Sweetheart etc.
The 3rd Vice President, Lolo Adadioramma Ngozi Ibe encouraged mothers to discourage their sons from land grabbing and illegal land speculation saying that Oba needs youths who are responsible, God fearing and have a handiwork or legitimate business.
In his response, PG Oba, Engr. Uzo Ejiofor called for unity and peace among women as a starting point to restoring peace in Oba community.
Ejiofor pleaded with the women to continue praying for Oba community especially regarding the Igweship selection and insecurity cum violence experienced within Oba community.
He urged them to talk to their husbands and sons in a manner that will ameliorate the cases of litigations surrounding the Igweship selection/ election process and violence cum extortion perpetrated by Oba youths into illegal land grabbing/speculation.
