All Hail the Okaka Na Eme Eze 1 of Etiti Ngwo Na Asaa

Third January, 2024 has booked a special spot in the memory pods of the people of Etiti Ngwo Community of Enugu State with the induction into the hall of fame and conferment of a chieftaincy title on one of its illustrious sons, Prof. Robinson Chukwudi Onoh. A Consultant Gynecologist and Endoscopic Surgeon Prof. Onoh is the Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, AEFUTHA. The conferment of Okaka Na Eme Eze 1 of Etiti Ngwo on Prof. Onoh was the climax of the civic reception organized in his honour for his various contributions to the development of the community and meritorious services to humanity.

During the epic event held at Obu Ukabi Square, Etiti Ngwo, Prof. Onoh was celebrated as a prince of the Royal dynasty of Nnadi Onoh Nnadi of Etiti Ngwo and described as an accomplished and committed leader whose life has helped to transform other lives that crossed his part. The story was told of how a medical outreach he initiated in the community attracted the attention and commendation of Her Excellency, the wife of the Governor of Enugu state and paved the way for a pledge by the State Government to repair the famous Milken Hill Road, the only access road between the Community and Enugu capital city.

His Royal Highness, Igwe I. O. U. Ayalogu, the Assa 1 of Ngwo N’ássa performed the rites of conferment of chieftaincy title on Prof. Onoh, surrounded by members of his royal cabinet, and called down the blessings of God and the intercession of their ancestors on the Okaka Na Eme Eze 1.

In his acceptance speech, Prof Onoh thanked the Igwe and the Igwe in Council for the conferment of the chieftaincy title on him. “I know that without the approval of the Igwe-in-Council the chieftaincy would not have been given to me,” he said. He dedicated the chieftaincy title to God and his Father, explaining that the name of the title, Okaka Na Eme Eze, means “God crowns or makes the king.” “Without God I wouldn’t be here and wouldn’t be crowned with the chieftaincy title,” he said, adding, “my father saw something in me which I did not see and dedicated his life to ensure I had proper education.” He promised to use his position as CMD of AEFUTHA and his new position as a titled chief to continue to touch lives and help humanity in more ways than before.

The occasion was a parade of who’s who of Etiti Ngwo Community, home and abroad; the AEFUTHA Community including the immediate past CMD of AEFUTHA, Dr. Ogah Onwe Emeka; the Provost, College of Medicine at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ikwo, AEFUNAI, Prof. Paul Olisaemeka Ezeonu; the Director of Administration at AEFUTHA, Chief Calistus Okonkwo; former Director of Finance, Chief Sylvester Ugamah and other top management staff of the hospital.

The event was quite rich in colour with an array of traditional dance troupes and cultural performances.

Story by Nonye Muoneke with Reports by Ifeoma Ejike