By admin on December, 26 2014
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* Celebrates Abiriba and Igbo women
*Awards Chieftaincy Titles to Abiriba sons
* Breaks Ground for New Palace
The people and friends of the Ancient Kingdom of Abiriba in Abia state have been celebrating the 14th Coronation anniversary of the Paramount Ruler, Eze Kalu Ogbu (IV). The events which started on the 25th of November with a special Abiriba Women's Day celebration climaxed on the 23rd of December with the award of Chieftaincy titles to deserving sons of the community as well as the ground breaking for the new Abiriba Palace at ugwu race course.
During the women day celebration, prominent Abiriba and Igbo women received awards in 2 categories during a ceremony at Akahaba stadium Omaghuzo Amaeke Abiriba.
The awardees include:
ELDER MRS. INYANG O. ANYA
(INYOM ABIRIBA)
ELDER MRS. KALARIA ANYAERU UBA E. OBASI, PHF
(INYOM ABIRIBA)
ELDER MRS. NENA IKODIYA UCHE
(INYOM ABIRIBA)
PROF. LADY OKPETE R. KANU, LSM, PhD, MNAE
(INYOM ABIRIBA)
MRS. NKECHI OBI, MON
(INYOM ABIRIBA)
PROF. NDI OKEREKE-ONYIUKE, OON
(INYOM ABIRIBA)
HON. JUSTICE (MRS.) ONYEKACHI AJA OTISI, J.C.A
(ADA ENA ABIRIBA)
COMMODORE UCHE ENYINDIYA ONUMA, DSS, psc, MBA, ACTS, acg
(ADA ENA ABIRIBA)
URE NNENNA LEKWAUWA, MD, DFAPA
(ADA ENA ABIRIBA)
UKWUORI NDUKWE KALU, B.Sc, MPA, FCAI
(ADA ENA ABIRIBA)
LINDA OYENI UGBOAJA, LLM
(ADA ENA ABIRIBA)
The coronation anniversary events climaxed with the celebration of Abiriba youths and men. The youth event tagged "Enachioken Youth Carnival" featured performances by top artiste including Mr Raw, Eedris Abdukareem, Slowdogg, Vecko Kingz, Xnel and many Abiriba born artistes at an all night event anchored by comedian Twocantalk on 22nd of December.
During the youth carnival chaired by Honorable Nwaka Inem Abiriba youths led by members of Abiriba Students Union in institutions of Higher Learning extolled the great qualities of the youth friendly Enachioken who has been at the forefront of ensuring gainful employment for Abiriba youths as well as mobilizing the elites of the community to award scholarships to indigent students as well as execute various empowerment programs. Abiriba youth leaders including Prince Obasi Uba, Peter Agba Kalu, Mazi John Okiyi Kalu, Ina Obasi and several others encouraged the youth to continue the tradition of hard work and entrepreneurship that their fathers were known for. They also called on the youth to eschew negative activities and resist attempts by any politician to use them as thugs as 2015 elections approaches.
At the grand finale of the 14th Traditional Coronation Anniversary of HRM EZE K. K. OGBU (IV), Enachioken of Abiriba Kingdom, awarded various Chieftaincy titles to seven sons of Abiriba from various walks of life. The Awardees include:
PROF. MKPA AGU MKPA, OFR
(AMUMA EZI UZO OF ABIRIBA)
ADMIN. GENERAL MBA OKORONKWO
(ONYE UDO OF ABIRIBA)
CHIEF LESLIE EBUEME EZIKPE
(DIKE EJI EJE MBA OF ABIRIBA)
CHIEF DAVID EBE UWAKA
(OZURUMBA OF ABIRIBA)
BARRISTER JACKSON AGBAI ABBAH
(KUKUNDA OF ABIRIBA)
HON. OSSY PRESTIGE
(AKA NA AZU- OHA OF ABIRIBA)
CHIEF/DR. JONA NDUKWO EZIKPE
(OKPO ODUO UZO OF ABIRIBA)
At the award event, the governor of Abia State who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Emeka Ananaba, congratulated the Enachioken for his sterling leadership qualities that have ensured that Abiriba kingdom snatched peace from the jaws of crises. He described the Enachioken as one of the stabilizing traditional rulers that have helped his government to push forward with legacy projects for Abians within an environment of peace and security. He also promised to ensure that the Amanta Abiriba road currently under construction will be completed within the life span of his administration and thanked the people of Abiriba for their massive support to his administration.
In his address at the award ceremony, Emeritus Prof. David U. U. Okali traced the history of Abiriba Kingdom as well as highlighted the age old reverence the people have showed to their King and traditional institutions. He also thanked the organizers led by Prof Anya O. Anya and congratulated the awardees who he described as men who love Abiriba with uncommon passion and have never been found wanting whenever the community is in need of men. Prof Okali remarked that the celebrations marking the 14th Coronation anniversary of Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu are unprecedented in the history of the ancient kingdom and a sure sign of the love of the people of Abiriba for their King who ascended the throne 14 years ago.
At the ground breaking event for the new Abiriba palace, Chief Commodore Ebitu Ukiwo (GCON) who holds the traditional title of Ochiagha Ochimba of Abiriba as well as the Ofo Ndi Igbo described the event as historical and long over due. He called on Abiriba sons and daughters as well as their friends to ensure that the new palace, which he described as architectural design master piece is completed on schedule.
He also prayed to God to continue to grant wisdom and long life to His Royal Majesty and his council.
Abiriba Kingdom is one of the oldest in Africa and the people are well known for their enterprise and achievement in all fields of endeavor. The community is reputed as the most beautiful homeland in Africa and also known to many as "Small London". Available records show that Abiriba was among only two towns in Igbo land with a standing army when the British invaded Igbo land and the people are well known for their exploits in blacksmith and international trade.