We recognized FUHSO VC for chieftaincy installation because Ezeleke people benefitted from his large heart… Eze G C Ibeakanma.
..Here,we give chieftaincy titles on merit not for financial considerations
:We recognized FUHSO VC for chieftaincy installation because Ezeleke people benefitted from his large heart… Eze G C Ibeakanma.
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..Here,we give chieftaincy titles on merit not for financial considerations.
By: Sam Obinna Ibe
Umuahia.
The traditional ruler of Ezeleke Autonomous community, Umuopara Umuahia South LGA of Abia State,His Royal Majesty, Eze G C Ibeakanma has said that his people decided to honour the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo Benue State, Prof Innocent Ujah because Ezeleke Autonomous community benefitted immensely from his large heart.
He added that chieftaincy installation in his Ezeleke Autonomous community is purely on merit and for other primordial sentiments especially by way of financial considerations while frowning at those who bestowed chieftaincy titles with money and other gifts in mind.
Ezeukwu 1 of Ezeleke Autonomous community, Umuopara, Umuahia South stated this last Saturday while in an interview with our Correspondent in Umuahia at his Ezeukwu Royal Palace, Umuojameze Ezeleke Autonomous community, Umuopara shortly after conferment of chieftaincy title of Nwanne dina Mba 1 to Prof Innocent Ujah who hails from Idoma,Benue State.
The ex- custom officer turned traditional ruler of his people noted that in Ezeleke Autonomous community,they do not confer chieftaincy titles indiscriminately but does so when it is absolutely necessary and without attaching any financial considerations but looked at what the person has done to benefit his community in particular and humanity in general.
So in the case of Professor Innocent Ujah who is being conferred with Chief Nwanne dina Mba 1 of Ezeleke Autonomous community Umuopara by the royal father,Eze GC Ibeakanma and his Council,noted that the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo( Fuhso) was honoured in view of his invaluable contributions to the growth and development of Education in the country, particularly as it benefitted our son through his kind disposition.
Eze G .C Ibeakanma said Professor Innocent Ujah as a true Nigeria,as a detrabilized Nigeria who has gone beyond the borders of religion, ethnicity and other primordial sentiments has impacted positively to humanity , adding that because he operates without borders, honouring credibility without thinking where he or she comes from,one of the sons of Ezeleke Umuopara in a rare profession( Law) benefitted under the tutelage, mentorship of professor Ujah.
The respected royal father in Abia State and Nigeria further explained that not only that newest installed Chief from Idoma land, Professor Innocent Ujah has helped in the development of mankind but has helped so many people; as a role model, he encouraged and developed them in education while pointing out on the importance of education in the development of a community,state and nation at large cannot be emphasized.
Eze G.C Ibeakanma said ,”we are happy we discovered him because of his contributions on human capital development in our Ezeleke community,in Abia State and Igbo land, outside his state, outside his tribe,we decided to invite him to honour him with a Chieftaincy title of Nwanne dina Mba 1 of Ezeleke Autonomous community Umuopara because we have benefitted from his large heart.
“We decided to invite and honour him with a chieftaincy title of Nwanne dina Mba 1 of Ezeleke Autonomous community Umuopara because we have benefitted from his large heart ”
The former Chairman of Umuopara Council of traditional rulers ,Eze GC Ibeakanma said in our place,we don’t recognize people because of what they will give us by way of financial considerations ,we consider and recognize them because of their antecedents in expectations that they will do more tomorrow , therefore,we have recognized him, to encourage him in expectations that he will be able to do more tomorrow for the benefit of our people and mankind in general.
Asked why they singled out only one person for conferment of chieftaincy title when some would have catched in on the big fish to bring other many inconsequential chieftaincy title holders ,Eze GC Ibeakanma said that they did not enthroned them as royal fathers to profile rate the chieftaincy institution,not at all,that is why of my 24 years occupancy of Ezeleke stool,this thing they called mass installation,I don’t really embrace it ,it is only when the Community,the Council decide, over a period and say these three or four persons from different
communities including some outside the community that they have benefitted from human development,deserve to be honoured that we will do so.
Meanwhile,the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre FMC Umuahia, Abia State,Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi extolled Eze G.C Ibeakanma and his cabinet for bestowing the chieftaincy title of honour to his boss,Professor Innocent Ujah noting that the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo Benue State assisted him a great deal to become who he is today in the country.
He said that when he heard about the recognition to be given to his senior professional colleague and boss in Abia State,he left his other crowded schedules to accompany his boss to receive this honour from a revereed traditional ruler in the State.
The CMD Federal Medical Centre FMC Umuahia,Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi,said, because of this chieftaincy title bestowed on Professor Innocent Ujah,his boss, starting from today,he is an adopted son of Ezeleke Umuopara and will participate fully in all activities concerning the autonomous community when called upon.
Also speaking the traditional Prime minister of Ezeleke Autonomous community ,Umuopara,Chief Sir Chibuike Ukanwoke said that he was particularly happy when you planned an event and it comes out successfully, you can’t but be happy about it.
The former Principal of Ibeku High School, Umuahia,Chief Ukanwoke added that it was rather symbolic because the man they honoured is not from Abia State but Benue State, this recognition will go a long way to put the map of Ezeleke palace in Benue State,we are happy about it
As for Engr Sir Onu Eluwa,the former Director General, Anambra Imo River Basin Authority said that conferment of chieftaincy title to the Vice Chancellor,Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo Benue State is a beautiful thing, it is helping in the unity within the country of many tribes.
Engr Onu Eluwa further noted that the conferment ceremony has emphasizes the brotherhood that exist between us and Idoma people,we are the same people .
We have the same four market days :Eke Orie ,Afo ,Nkwo, like the Benue State among the Idomas,they also have four market days as : Eke,Orie,Afo and Nkwo, you can see the Idoma names you heard here today,we call Igbo names and the language too,if you do an analysis,there are not far apart,so Idoma land starts shortly after Abakiliki,about 12 kilometres away,
So we are neighbors,the recognition of Professor Innocent Ujah with a chieftaincy title from Igbo Land brings neighbour ness,it brings unity,it brings peace,it brings better understanding,” Engr Sir Onu Eluwa.
“What the traditional ruler has done today is drawing our people around the country,we pray this continues, will bring our people closer for better understanding and peace in the land ”
On his part,Chief Sir Ibegbulem Emelogu Obioma,a Lagos based business mogul, from Amachara Ezeleke Umuopara, lauded HRM Eze G C Ibeakanma on the calibre of persons he confers chieftaincy titles stressing that the recognition of the VC of FUHSO is a typical example of all others he had honoured in the past.
Chief Sir Ibe Obioma also commended their brother,Chief Barr Iroham Ezerendu whose loyalty and dedication to duty provided the leeway for what Professor Innocent Ujah did to elevate him in life, while commending the Idoma benue born erudite professor for the assistance rendered to their brother.
He further described Eze G C Ibeakanma as a first class Monarch in Igbo Land that do not confer Chieftaincy titles indiscriminately but purely on merit as exemplified with the honour bestowed to the distinguished professor from Benue State adding that Chieftaincy titles conferment should be on merit and not the other way round.
In his vote of thanks, the Vice Chancellor,Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Benue State,Professor Innocent Ujah has appreciated the Chieftaincy title conferred on him by a foremost traditional ruler in Abia State,His Royal Majesty, Eze G C Ibeakanma as a befitting one while describing the honour done him as a transformational leadership.
Professor Innocent Ujah said that Chief Barr Iroham Ezerendu from Ezeleke Autonomous community Umuopara Umuahia South does not have to be an Idoma man for him to assist him become who he is today in the society.
He further pointed out that he does not work with such primordial sentiments as religion and tribe but work with passion for hard work adding that was what informed his decision in assisting whoever that comes his way no matter where he or she comes from.
The V C of Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo Benue State thanked his brothers and sisters that accompanied him to receive the Chieftaincy title promising not to forget this milestone,the title of Nwanne dina Mba 1 of Ezeleke and would surely come back as a member of the king’s cabinet.
In an interview with Blueprint shortly after the chieftaincy installation,Chief Professor Innocent Ujah said that his happiness knew no bounds over the recognition noting that God is great,that this is a recognition not from Idoma land,not from Benue State,and not even from Enugu State closer to them but from Abia State.
“This is what we called transformational leadership,this recognition is not in Idoma,not in Benue,not even in Enugu State that is closer to us but in Abia State.And again,it is good to keep relationship,we need to open up because we are all human beings,this is an honour that has been bestowed on me by Ezeukwu 1 as the traditional ruler of Ezeleke Autonomous community, Umuopara,HRM Eze GC Ibeakanma”
This Chieftaincy title was not bought,but in recognition of my modest contributions in assisting towards development of human beings that come across me irrespective of where they from.
The VC of FUHSO revealed that prior to his recognition that he never knew the traditional ruler and his Council members and they never knew him too but through interaction with other processes ,they felt I deserved to be honoured with a chieftaincy title.
According to Professor Ujah, I resisted this for a long time even in Idoma land but I thought that was not necessary but the way this one has been celebrated,it is not about political appointment,it is about the belief that I deserve it,
“So it was not bought,I never buy anything even when people wanted to give me honour and wanted money,I said no,you can go,I don’t need it,”
“Continuing,so this chieftaincy title conferment was done out of their own wish,done in a recognition given to me and my people,so it’s a great day for us,not just for me,but the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo Benue State and other person’s that are associated with us.”
Professor Innocent Ujah who maintained that there is a lesson to be learnt for this friendship across the border because of the feelings of tribalistic, nepotistic attitudes of Nigerians now makes it difficult for people to cross border but this is an attestation done to Chief Professor Innocent Ujah, FES med,MNI,OON,NPOM
” You heard what Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi,CMD FMC Umuahia said about me,as early as I knew him, having studied under us,I saw him as somebody who can be trusted,so when the opportunity came,I recommended him for Board Chairmanship when he was in Ebonyi state,he was my Assistant Secretary General when I was the President General of Society of Ganacology/Obstetrics of Nigeria,SOGON,he wanted to contest for the posting of Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre,FMC Umuahia,I gave him my blessings, today he is doing very well in Abia State ”
“So when Chief Barr Iroham Ezerendu started working with me,I saw someone who is properly brought up and loyal,in civil service,loyalty is number one, loyalty has actually carried him very far,others may be envious of llhim,he would have been retired if not we engage him in FUHSO ,in the university system,if you are not an academic staff,or a professor,you retire at 65 years,so he will wait till he is 65,that is not the issue, the issue is that he is still providing services to us” VC FUHSO said.
As for the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre,FMC Umuahia, Abia State, Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi,the erudite Professor of Ganacology/ Obstetrics,Professor Innocent Ujah described him in glowering terms, saying” Professor Onyebuchi is a model,I say it without hesitation,they are not Idoma people,they are not from Benue State but I see good in them”
The Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Benue State ,professor Chief Innocent Ujah, therefore harped on the need of doing good wherever you finds yourself,irrespective of whom is involved because we are all human beings while also appreciating the traditional ruler of Ezeleke Autonomous community Umuopara,HRM Eze G .C Ibeakanma and his cabinet for the honour done him and his people for the recognition promising to be the good ambassador of the people.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Ralph Ujah gave vote of thanks, thanked Eze G C Ibeakanma and his Council for honouring his uncle,Professor Innocent Ujah with a Chieftaincy title noting that he is educated today was courtesy of his uncle who trained him in the university.
Professor Chief Innocent Ujah was accompanied by some management staff of Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo Benue State,CMD Federal Medical Centre FMC Umuahia, Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi,his Idoma relatives, Benue brothers living in Umuahia, Abia State and former students among others.
Dignitaries that attended the installation ceremony included the Mayor of Umuahia South LGA Abia,Barr Ejikeme Obike, the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre FMC Umuahia Abia State,Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi,Hon Chief Iheanacho Obioma,the former member, House of Representatives that represented Ikwuano Umuahia federal constituency in the National Assembly,
Others were:Engr Sir Onu Eluwa, the former Director General, Anambra Imo River Basin Authority,Chief Sir Ibegbulem Emelogu Obioma, Lagos based business mogul and illustrious son of Amachara, Ezeleke Umuopara etc.
The list also included visiting royal fathers in the State such as: HRH Eze Paul Chukwunyere Egwu,the traditional ruler of Dikeukwu Ekenobizi,Onyeogara 1 of Dikeukwu, Umuahia South,HRM Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe,the former first Vice Chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional rulers and the traditional ruler of Okaiuga Nkwoegwu autonomous community, Ohuhu, Umuahia North and HRM Eze Dr Ambassador Pastor Philip Ajomiwe,the former Chairman of Umuahia North Council of Traditional rulers and the traditional ruler of Oriendu autonomous community,Ohuhu etc
Highpoints of the occasion were decorations of Chief Nwanne dina Mba 1 of, Ezeleke Autonomous community Umuopara Umuahia Professor Chief Innocent Ujah and his lovely wife with traditional Igbo chieftaincy attires and group photographs with the traditional rulers from Umuahia North and South that attended the ceremony.
