The palace of the traditional ruler of Umuchime na Ofeiyi autonomous community, Ogbodiukwu, Umuopara in Umuahia South local government area of Abia State, HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha, Oparaukwu 1 Gburugburu was agog on Saturday, February 24, 2024,as the new executive of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs ably led by Chief Dr. Smart Nwokorie paid homage to the quintessential royal father in Abia State.
They were received on arrival by Chief Journalist Sam Obinna Ibe, the media adviser to HRH Eze Obioha Brown Uluocha.
The legendary media guru and chairman, Correspondents Chapel, NUJ, Abia State who also doubles as the PRO of Ogbodiukwu Council of Chiefs as well as Umuopara Council of Chiefs coordinated the whole thing with panache to the admiration of all those present.
The gathering was so exhilarating. There was no dull moment.
After introduction of dignitaries present and presentation of kola nut, everything progressed smoothly from one stage to another.
In his speech, the chairman of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs, Chief Dr. Smart Nwokorie (Eziokwu bu Ndu) appreciated HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha for his great love and support .
He commended the popular royal father for his pivotal role in his emergence as the chairman, Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs describing him as a generous and progressive-minded traditional ruler.
He promised not to disappoint the confidence reposed in him adding that Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs under his watch would do great things in Umuopara.
He disclosed that they are poised to restore the dignity of chiefs in Umuopara describing chieftaincy as a thing of joy, pride, honour, integrity and high moral standard.
Chief Dr. Smart Nwokorie told HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha that they are his royal strength and appealed to him to carefully scrutinize people before conferring chieftaincy title on them.
He also emphasized the need for traditional rulers in Umuopara not to attend functions alone so that people would not look down on them.
He urged traditional rulers in Umuopara to allow some members of their cabinet to accompany them on official visits or functions as a sign of dignity and splendour stressing that a bishop does not go out without reverends or presbyters.
Contributing, Hon. Nze Esiaga, one-time House of Representatives member thanked the chairman of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs, Dr. Smart Nwokorie (Eziokwu bu Ndu) for his spectacular presentation.
He appreciated God for giving them an outstanding traditional ruler in the person of HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha who he said occupies an enviable position in the nation’s traditional institution akin to that of an Emir, Oba or Obi.
He thanked God for making their illustrious son and pillar of culture in Abia State, Chief Dr. Smart Nwokorie (Eziokwu bu Ndu) the executive chairman of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs and prayed that God would use him and other members of the executive to take Umuopara to greater height.
He urged the new executive of Umuopara Council of Chiefs to support HRH Eze Dr. Sir Brown Uluocha and work in synergy with him to ensure the success of their tenure.
He promised to contribute his own quota towards the development of Umuopara.
In his remarks, Chief Orisa Iwundu, the Traditional Prime Minister of Umuchime na Ofeiyi autonomous community, Ogbodiukwu said that Umuopara is blessed to have Chief Dr. Smart Nwokorie (Eziokwu bu Ndu) as the chairman of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs.
He described him as a round peg in a round hole and expressed optimism that he would not disappoint the confidence reposed in him.
He pointed out that HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha is ready to work with them but advised them to be humble and upright in all their ways for them to earn his respect, blessing and support.
Thereafter, he humbly and respectfully invited HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha traditional ruler to address his visitors.
In his response, HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha appreciated the new executive of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs for the visit before dealing with the issues raised by Chief Dr. Smart Nwokorie during his speech one after the other.
On the issue of scrutinizing people before conferring chieftaincy titles on them, HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha said that he has the highest calibre of chiefs comprising university dons, technocrats, media guru and other distinguished personalities in his cabinet in the entire Umuopara adding that he does not just see anybody and make him chief without scrutinizing that person’s pedigree.
On the issue of going out alone, HRH Eze Dr. Sir Brown Uluocha said that he moves with God.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that there are instances that would warrant going out with his chiefs.
Thereafter, he told the new executive of Umuopara Council of Chiefs that leadership is service and charged Chief Dr. Smart Nwokorie (Eziokwu bu Ndu) to be a servant leader.
The dynamic, visionary, indefatigable, generous, forthright and handsome royal father described Chief Dr. Smart Nwokorie as a young man they all love.
He said that he is eminently qualified to occupy the position and that made him to ensure his emergence as the chairman of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs.
He assured the executive of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs of his total support and encouraged them to always feel free to come to him in time of need or advice.
At the end of his speech, he promised to be sponsoring the bi-monthly meetings of Umuopara Council of Chiefs irrespective of the venue.
The unexpected gesture evoked resounding ovation and all those present praised him for his unparalleled magnanimity.
In a vote of thanks, Chief Anyalewechi Josiah Nwachukwu commended the new executive of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs adding that from all indications they are poised to synergize with the traditional rulers to take Umuopara to the next level.
He challenged them to procure a bus, build secretariat and attract other good things to Umuopara.
The gathering climaxed with a closing prayer by Chief Orisa Iwundu.
He appreciated the new executive of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs for the visit as well as HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha for the unforgettable reception accorded them and prayed God to lead them safely back to their various destinations.
The courtesy visit was a huge success and a memorable evening for the new executive of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs that graced the occasion.
Their host, HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha did more than what others used to do on such occasion and made sure that all his guests were satisfied and went home very happy.
Some of those who graced the occasion were Chief Ikechukwu Onwubiko (Vice Chairman, Umuopara Council of Chiefs), Hon. Chief Lilian Chinyere Obiakaraije, JP (Assistant Secretary, Umuopara Council of Chiefs), Hon. Nze Esiaga, Chief Sir C. J. Egwu, immediate past PRO, Umuopara Council of Chiefs, Chief Chibuike Victor Uluocha, the chairman, Ogbodiukwu Council of Chiefs, Chief Anyalewechi Josiah Nwachukwu, High Chief Hon. Emmanuel Ukah Nwosuagwu, the immediate past chairman, Umuopara Council of Chief among others.
In a chat with newsmen at the end of the visit, the chairman of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs, Chief Dr. Smart Nwokorie (Eziokwu bu Ndu) bared his mind on the visit. Excerpts.
Sir, can you tell us what prompted the courtesy visit?
It is a visit of identification, a visit of father and son relationship. As a matter of fact, a son cannot do without his father. Charity begins at home. So as a bona fide son of Ogbodiukwu and the new executive chairman of Umuopara Ahia Asa Council of Chiefs, I deemed it wise and proper to pay homage to HRH Eze Dr. Sir Brown Uluocha and identify with him before moving outside Ogbodiukwu. So that is why we came here today to identify with him and to receive his royal blessing and support. We cannot do without his blessing and support. Again, the royal family played immeasurable role during our election. HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha is an outstanding traditional ruler, well-educated and a lover of good things. So we have to identify with him and work closely with him in order to achieve our objectives.
Are you impressed with the way he received you and other members of the executive?
According to my lawyer there is no need emphasizing the obvious. You saw how he lavished his hospitality on us. The way he received and feted us showed that he is happy with us and ever ready to support us.
What of his promise to be sponsoring your bi-monthly meetings?
I never even expected that. It is unprecedented. HRH Eze Dr. Sir Obioha Brown Uluocha is a very generous and hospitable traditional ruler. Honestly, I wonder, which traditional ruler could promise to do that. We are so grateful to him for his uncommon gesture.
Would the visit stop at this one?
The visit would not end here. The visit is a movement and every movement starts from somewhere and ends somewhere. We have just started and we are going to visit other communities including Ezeleke, Umunwanwa, Ekenobizi, Ehume and so on.
What is the essence of the visit?
We want to identify with our traditional rulers and let them know that we are actually their royal strength. We also appeal to all the traditional rulers in Umuopara to take time to carefully scrutinize those they want to confer chieftaincy titles on to help our administration to run smoothly because a situation where one is not scrutinized before receiving chieftaincy title would not augur well for us.
