By Princess Sharon Akuboh
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters & Rural Development, Ebonyi State, Chief Donatus Njoku has stressed the need for Peace in the development of every community and as panacea to attract government presence in the area.
Our Reporter, who covered the event noted that, Chief Njoku dropped this during the election of a new Traditional Ruler held in Amogwu Ndukwe Village Square in Amasiri, Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State. This is to replace the Late Ezeogo Patrick Oko Ajah, Isaka Ọgụ III who passed on a few years ago.
The Commissioner who was represented by a member of Inspectorate & Monitoring Unit in the Ministry, Mr Jerry Okpara, maintained that the peaceful coexistence among the four Component villages that made up Ndukwe Community created a congenial & conducive environment for the election to be conducted peacefully and successfully with High Chief Godfrey Obia Oko emerging with thirty seven (37) votes to defeat his opponent, Chief John Okpara who got only two votes (2) while one vote was declared invalid.
He commended the people of Ndukwe Community for comporting themselves in an orderly form to elect the new Traditional Ruler of their choice and urged them to give the new Eze- Elect, High Chief Godfrey Obia Oko all the maximum support needed to enable him achieve his vision in Ndukwe Isaka Ogu kingdom.
He applauded Governor David Nweze Umahi for his magnanimity and approval that the election should be held to occupy the lingering vacuum created by the demise of Ezeogo Patrick Oko Ajah, The Isaka Ọgụ III and prayed that the Governor will give the Eze Elect Staff of Office before 29th May, 2023.
In his acceptance speech, the New Eze Elect, High Chief Godfrey Obia Oko expressed joy over the smooth victory and appreciated the people of Ndukwe Community for finding him worthy to be elected as their new Traditional Ruler of Ndukwe Isaka Ogu IV in the Kingdom and promised to use his experience acquired from past leadership to rule the kingdom to a greater height.
Also, speaking, the President General of Ndukwe Development Union, Hon. Amadi Maduka expressed happiness that the election ended peacefully and gloriously successful and revealed that the election which ended before 11am made the people of Ndukwe Community to troupe out enmass to witness the commissioning of Amasiri Flyover by Governor David Nweze Umahi thereby making it a double celebration for the people of Ndukwe Community in Amasiri.
To this end, the event attracted attracted all the age grades from the four Component villages that made up Ndukwe Community and representative from the Traditional Ruler of Amasiri Ekuma Ugbagala, HRH Ezeogo Bassey Onya Idam among others.
HIGH CHIEF Godfrey Obia Oko was born 72 years ago in a seren environment of Egboha Amuro NDUKWE.
He spent his early days in the Republic of CAMEROON until after the Nigerian CIVIL WAR when he relocated to his fatherland in 1973 to navigate the prospect a brighter future for himself.
The dream took him to obtain a Teachers Grade 11 Certificate from Macgregor Teacher’s Training College Afikpo and took up a job in teaching. He retired as a Headmaster after a meritorious Service having garnished his status with additional certificates while serving in his chosen profession.
High Chief Godfrey Obia Oko was appointed to serve in a higher capacity as a Board Member in the Ebonyi State Primary Education Board (SPEB) by Chief Martin Elechi’s Administration. The Ezeogo – elect is a Tall, Elegant, Brave and Straight Forward Community Leader. Ndukwe is blessed to have him. Long Live the new Eze.