By Tony Okafor, Awka
Red Cap Chiefs in Nawfia community, in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, have begged the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to reinstate their traditional ruler, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo.
The red cap chiefs made the appeal during the annual IGU ARO festival of the community held at the palace of Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo on Saturday to herald the consumption of new yam in the area by natives.
Igwe Nwankwo was among of the 12 monarchs in the state suspended by the administration of a former governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano, for traveling with an oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, to see former President Muhammadu Buhari over an undisclosed matter.
Arthur Eze, it was gathered, was having loggerhead with Obiano at the time.
However, within the pendency of the suspension of the monarchs, Obiano enthroned a successor in Nawfia, an action that was roundly condemned.
Amongst the suspended monarchs were: Igwe Alex Edozieuno of Mkpunando, Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, Igwe Chukuwma Bob Vincent Orji of Ezinifite and Igwe Engr G.B.C Mbakwe of Abacha, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia, Igwe Nkeli Nelly of Igbariam, Igwe Anthony Onyekwere of Owelle, Igwe A. N Onwuneme of Ikenga, Igwe Simon Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo, Igwe S. O Uche of Ezira, Igwe Dr Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu and Igwe Peter Ikegbunem Udoji of Eziagulu Otu.
Speaking through their spokesperson on Saturday, Chief Isaac Igbo, the Nawfia red cap chiefs begged Governor Soludo to reverse Obiano’s action by reinstating their monarch, describing Igwe Nwankwo as a great asset to the community.
Igbo said,”We want to use this opportunity to beg our amiable Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to redress this injustice. Igwe Nwankwo did not commit any offence to deserve this arbitrariness. Our community has great confidence, trust and respect for him.
” Igwe Nwankwo has great knowledge and competences that have guided him in ruling our community. 99% of Nawfia people love and trust him. Please, we beg our Governor, in the name of God to reinstate him.
An attendee of the function from the United State of America, Nnamdi Ezenwa praised the cultural displays on the occasion.
He said,”Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo is well known in America. He attends most of Igbo annual festivals in the United States, especially the festivals and meetings organised by ASA-USA. Government should do this road leading to his palace.I love the ambiance of the cultural displays I saw here today( Saturday).
Speaking earlier, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, implored Ndigbo to make more efforts in the training of their children.
While condemning the increased rate of crimes in modern Igbo society, Igwe Nwankwo, tasked parents to incorporate entrepreural skills in the training of the children, stressing that such trainings were what made the western countries, especially America, tick.
He regretted that in Igbo modern communities, the consumption of Mkpurummiri had assumed a notorious dimension and was fast destroying the youths.
He said, “It is a common sight to see addicts of Mkpurummili on the streets of Igbo communities.Under the influence of drug, they respect nobody, they look down on whoever they come across. Nobody is anything to them. This situation must be condemned by all and sundry.
He enjoined Ndigbo to eschew acrimony, backbiting and ‘pull him down’ syndrome, and embrace peace and brotherhood.
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