Here is a press statement sent out to bloggers, enjoy!
At the weekend, a new Obi of Ubulu-Uku ascended the exulted throne of
his fathers. The new monarch, Chukwuka NoahOfulue, who assumed the name
of Obi Akaeze1, is actually a youth who will become 18 years old later
this year and he had to take time off his schooling in Britain, to
undergo the coronation ceremonies because the Ubulu-Uku monarchy
succession line is from a father to his first son.
Thus last Thursday night, according to a press statement signed by Mr.
Tony Eluemunor, Chairman of the Coronation Public Affairs Committee, a
great wave of joy surged through the entire Ubulu kingdom, and messages
swirled across the internet cyber space as Ubulu-Uku sons and daughters
exchanged messages about the joyous development in the town.
The statement read: “In a sense, the deep mourning which had enveloped
the Ubulu kingdom almost all January this year as their immediate past
king, Obi Edward AkaezeOfulue 111 was kidnapped early in the month and
was found dead 18 days after, had continued till the ascendance of the
new Obi.
Anywhere one or two Ubulu-Uku indigenes were gathered, their topic of
discussion was invariably the great loss they had suffered through
thedeath of the gentle, remarkably patient and immensely religious late
Obi. This pall of mourning had also affected all those who were late Obi
AkaezeOfulue 111’s schoolmates at St. Anthony’s College Ubulu-Uku in
the mid-1970s as the handsome and ever smiling Akaeze was full of zest
as a student.
There, he was also a good mixer despite his privileged background and
readily shared his provisions and money with the less privileged
students. He firsts attended the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, and
left there for London where he was born in the 1960s, and became a
lawyer. He also was not just a noted Christian but he actually was a
Deeper Life Pastor. His Christianity informed his life as a king for the
nine years he was on the throne.
Eluemunor said: “The gentle late Obi Edward AkaezeOfulue 111 was laid to
rest in the special cemetery that is exclusive to Ubulu-Uku kings on
Friday.
That was a day after his son had assumed his rightful position on late
his father’s throne. In the presence of Umu Obi (members of the
Ubulu-Uku Royal family up to the fourth generation) and the influential
UmuOxim people (descendants of past kings of the town from the fifth
generation onwards) and the respected Council of Chiefs, the new Obi was
crowned late Thursday. Immediately, knees began to genuflect and heads
bowed as people began to pay him homage.
As the popular saying goes, the kingis dead; long live the king came
true in the town that day. Yes, even as the memory of the late king will
linger, even as his former subjects will miss him and pine for him,
rejoicing has come into Ubulu kingdom, no matter how haltingly, as the
youthful lad, Chukwuka Noah Ofulue, became the Obi Abgogidi, the Obi Agu
(the lion), the Obi Akaeze 1 of Ubulu Kingdom.
Though just a youth, he has assumed his position in the great circle of
life.
Prominent Ubulu-Uku citizens including the Aniocha/Oshimili constituency
representative at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon
(Mrs).OnyemaechiMrakpor the chairman of Aniocha South council, Mr.
Isaac Anwuziaand other high government officials were in attendance.
President-General of Ubulu-Uku Development Union, Comrade Jones Ofunne,
religious leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders in the community
witnessed the coronation.
The Palace Secretary, Barr. Joseph Obazei described the coronation as
‘wonderful .
This is a young man who was not even looking up to this position because his father was young and vibrant”’.
Signed: Tony Eluemunor
Chairman, Ubulu-Uku Coronation Public Affairs Committee