By Uzo Ugwunze
A top contender for the prestigious EzeOkpoko throne of Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area (ISLGA) Anambra State, Chief Barrister Vincent Chukwuma Ananti KSC has recounted his role in the restoration of peace in Oba from 1994 to 2023 saying that he wishes to unite Oba even more , if given the opportunity to become the next Igwe and EzeOkpoko II of Oba.
Speaking during a courtesy call on EzeOkpoko Cabinet to officially declare his intentions as an Igweship aspirant and to seek the support of his fellow cabinet members, Chief Ananti (Aninepungwu 1 Obataifeadi Oba) reiterated his commitment and passion to unite Oba people, broker lasting peace within the community, despite whatever crisis the community may be experiencing, and most importantly, usher in an enduring era of security and progress for Oba.
Ananti said that having grown in Oba community he understands the history of Oba people, cutting across educational, political, professional, business/commerce, engineering fields. He eulogized great Oba citizens, who had made their marks across different spheres of life and career both in Oba, Anambra State and Nigeria at large.
He recalled the contributions of Late Dr. Enoch Oli founder of Merchant of Light School Oba, Late Justice Moses Obumneme Onwuamaegbu former Attorney General Old East Central State and a Judge of Anambra State judiciary, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Enenchukwu (Oba of Oba) the former Speaker of the old Anambra state , The first Medical Doctor and owner of first Private hospital both in Oba and Kano(Sahara hospital), Late Chief Dr. Madueke Ugwunze (Ogbuebunu), Late Igwe Peter C. Ezenwa, EzeOkpoko 1 of Oba and owner of the famous Okpoko Furniture, among others.
The Legal luminary and International Realtor further recalled in great detail, the calculated steps he took, with some illustrious chiefs and sons of Oba in his efforts to unite Oba people, following the leadership crisis that tore the Oba community into two divides - the Isi Oba and Ime Oba, after the 1986 Oba mass return.
In view of the situation what is your role in the uniting of Oba during the crisis?
According to Ananti, " I am grateful to
God for making me onye Oba. I am proud to be an Oba man. I recollect clearly how I felt during the wedding ceremony of one of our Amazons in 1981. This occasion had all the creme de la crème of Oba in attendance in Enugu. This event showcased Oba at that time in its echelon of glory. Not only was our town Oba United, the signs of progress, love and peace pervaded our community.
"Unfortunately, after the 1986 Mass return, things fell apart according to Chinua Achebe, and the centre could not hold. There was leadership crises that tore Oba into two - with a threat to perpetually divide us into separate communities.
"Together with other patriotic Oba citizens I cried - God forbid. If it had happened, it means that my link with Umuogali, my maternal home will be broken. The situation became more severe in the 1990s. Our culture was under attack as we could not form “age grades”cutting across the entire Oba. It became a challenge.
"In 1992, we held the very first meeting in Lagos, with my contemporaries, who believed in one Oba. We agreed to form an association, so that we can forestall the imminent threat to the leadership, unity and progress of Oba. We believed that if we can
bring all our contemporaries together for peace, unity and love, with time the love we share will rob off on the entire Oba community.
"An Association, Oba Brothers, was formed in January, 1994. The Association has been embarking on so many activities in Oba, eg it built a Health Centre/ Maternity home, contributing to the major developments in Oba, especially in the areas of security and welfare of our citizens (charity during COVID-19) etc.
"In 2007, the Isu people living in Lagos approached me to offer myself to serve as the President of Oba Patriotic Union, Lagos (OPUL), after the tenure of Chief Alex Emechebe, which was to expire in May 2008.
"As the election date was approaching, my brother Late Chief Eric Oraefo Agina,
(Ebubedike) Oba, called me wondering why I deemed it necessary to serve as president of OPUL, while my position on the unity of
Oba was not known at home . He urged me to come home to declare my stand on the unity of Oba and my loyalty to His Majesty, Igwe P. C Ezenwa. I didn't have a problem with that as my interest in the unity of Oba was my Priority.
"I further asked what he wanted me to do to express my commitment to one indivisible Oba, when we have already founded Oba Brothers Association, which was midwifing peace and progress in Oba."
He requested for a meeting of all Isi-Oba people who are committed to one united Oba, which I voluntarily accepted and hosted in July 2008. In attendance
were Chief W.E Obiezue Ichie Araba 1, Chief Ben Chibeze Igboalughogige 111, then Ochudo Oba, Chief Nelson Emebo, (Dim Oba), Chief Eric Agina (Ebubedike Oba), Nze Sam Igwilo (Ezekwueche) to mention but a few. This meeting held on July 3rd, marked the beginning of the present peace we have
in Oba today.
"After the meeting , some opponents continued to say that I was not qualified
to be President of OPU Lagos branch because of the perceived division in Oba. This drew the attention of Igwe Ezeokpoko , who invited me to his palace. I came to his palace with Chief W. E Obiezue, Ichie Araba 1 of Oba, Nze Samuel Igwilo, Ezekwueche, Chief Nweze Obiabumuo, Ichie Obinugwu of Oba and Nze Sam Nweze (Manya).
"At the meeting, I presented an address of my program for the continued peaceful co-existence of Ndi Oba in Lagos and my plan for the development of the plots of land we bought in 2002 and how the peace in Lagos will eventually come into Oba kingdom.
After going through the document, Igwe was convinced that I had the peace, progress of OPU Lagos and Oba in general, at heart.
"This conviction compelled him to put a call across to Chief A. E Agina, (Akulueuno Oba), and asked him to tell Mr. Chidi Obumneme, to step down for me according to him, "Ka edozie Oba". Chief A.E Agina, Akulueuno, had no choice than to accept Igwe's advice. Igwe also called Sir Emma Ibeachum, Ochili, a President Emeritus, and also asked him to tell Mr Chidi Obumneme to step down for me for the interest of peace in Oba. This same instruction was also sent to Barr.Eddie Mbah, Chairman of Umuogali Development Association , Lagos branch as Igwe saw it as an opportunity to restore peace to Oba.
"Nevertheless, Igwe asked me to attend the Umuogali Development
Association meeting in Lagos to thank "Ndi Nnam Ochie" and seek their support and blessing for the task of building a United Oba kingdom.
This was accomplished at the August 2008 monthly meeting in Lagos.
In attendance with me were, Chief Chris Etoniru, (Amalunweze), Chief Okwudiba Anyaora, Mr Goddy Abughamba and others.
"At the September 2008, meeting, the OPU Lagos unanimously elected me
as their president. The new Excecutive took off immediately and embarked on
the Obi Oba Hall project by laying the foundation . By the end of our tenure in December, 2012, with the collective help of "Ndi Oba" in Lagos, the project was taken to decking level. Today that project is almost completed, and is serving so many purposes for NDIOBA in Lagos.
"All those living and dead who contributed towards the project were honoured with awards, at a ceremony chaired by Elder Onyeama Ugwunze, in
December 2012.
After the awards, the Igwe and Ezeokpoko cabinet decided to confer chieftaincy titles to these illustrious sons of Oba.
"That was the turning point in the history of Oba as all the sons of Oba who contributed in one way or the other from all parts of Oba, discarding the division, offered to join the cabinet during the Ofala ceremony of March, 2013.
That was exactly how the previous division was bridged, as all the sons of Oba, particularly from Isu and Okuzu joined the Igwe's cabinet in 2013 and ended the issue of dichotomy and 'Autonomous community' which had threatened the peaceful co-existence of Oba since 1986,"
What working relationship Did you have with EzeOkpoko 1 of Oba and Your Experience in the Cabinet?
Ananti States: "MY PATH WITH EZEOKPOKO 1 OF OBA AND THE CABINET - Since I joined the EZEOKPOKO cabinet in 2013, I have been an active member of the cabinet and took time understand the workings and responsibilities of EZEOKPOKO throne and the style of leadership of Late Igwe Peter Ezenwa.
"Hence in 2014, I approached him to permit me to produce a compendium of the Igwe and Ezeokpoko, to mark his 40 years on the throne to be launched during the Ofala of 2016. Ezeokpoko in consultation with the cabinet granted me the permission.
"I liaised with some prominent
members of the cabinet, such as Chief Innocent Nwajuaku (Ugogbuo of Oba), Chief Ben.Chibueze, Ochudo Oba, now Igboaluogige, Chief Willie Ibe Nwakibie , Chief FM Nwosu Ezeufonna and the palace secretary, Mr. Vin Ejiofor. These seasoned members of the cabinet assisted me with the list of all the cabinet members and their year of conferment and I was able to produce a Compendium of Igwe in Coucil . Copies of this are available for verification".
"Also , In 2023, during the era of the Interim Town Union Government in Oba, with its attendant tension in Oba, I used my contact in government, to arrange for a delegation of the cabinet led by Chief Sir BM Onyeka, Ichie Okom, to meet with the Secretary to Anambra state, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu. It was that visit that prompted the Hon Commissioner to invite the cabinet to his office to
hear our own side of the story of what was happening in Oba.
"I have so many ideas of reforms that should be done to re-engineer the cabinet for better performance in terms of code of conduct, welfare
packages and rejigging of the internal and external structures and mechanisms of thecabinet, to bring it in line with the rich cultural heritage of Oba and Igbo land in general."Maka onye namaro ebe enyili ozu na ebido nukwu abo ya."
“Moreso, the lacuna in the constitution that seems to allow a non member of the cabinet to become Igwe Oba, and preside over the affairs of the cabinet without the requisite experience as a member. "Maka na o bu onye gba mgba naro mgba". “Adiro arapu isi aka agba uriom”.
It can be likened as well to a laity vying for the position of a Bishop in the church".
Finally, I want to thank the Regent of Oba Prince Noel Ezenwa, Ezeamalu, for the way and manner he has been running the affairs of Oba, especially during this trying period to select the Ezeokpoko II of Oba , Okom, Igboalughogige, all the Ichies and Chiefs of Oba for the company we have enjoyed for the past eleven years as a member of this cabinet.
"I hereby, appeal for your support as one of you, based on my antecedents
in Oba peace project, and how I have impacted on the cabinet in my own little way.
You all know me. I have been in your midst and all of you can testify to my CHARACTER, INTEGRITY, HUMILITY, A TEAM PLAYER , NOT CONTROVERSIAL, DELIVERS ON ASSIGNMENTS, A VISIONARY AND A LOVER OF OBA.
I am pleading for your support in my desire to become the EZEOKPOKO
the 2nd, and move our great town Oba to the next level.
"We shall join hands together to secure our town, engage our people, engage the Government of Anambra state, Nigeria and the world at large, to make Oba Great AGAIN," said Ananti.
In their separate remarks, the trio of Chief Boniface Onyeka (Okom II), Chief Ben Chibueze (Igbaluogige) and Chief Barrister XYZ Orlando (Okwunalu Oba) encouraged the cabinet members to give a favorable consideration of the Igweship candidacy of Chief Barrister Vincent Chukwuma Ananti KSC as their colleague, support him by telling others to support him , given his wealth of experience and contributions towards a United and peaceful Oba community both within and outside the EzeOkpoko cabinet.
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