POMP AS ONICHA-UGBO GETS NEW ODOGWU

Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu

On the eventful day, Onicha-Ugbo admitted close to one and half million people,
first of its kind since the creation of the place.
They, out of desperation forced their way into the not-too-big palace of the
Obi to catch a glimpse of the inauguration of the 57-year-old Kachikwu, who was
being honoured with the title of Odogwu – a title depicting the defence
minister and field marshal generalissimo. The palace was filled to capacity.
Different traditional dance troupes graced the occasion, doing what they know
best. Even Ishan acrobatic dancers from Uromi in Edo state and Yoruba drummers,
as well as other dance groups from within and outside the town performed
wonders and added colour to the ceremony.
At exactly 12.45 pm, the Obi conferred the title of Odogwu on Emmanuel Ibe
Kachikwu, an outstanding Ishiekpe son of Nyemua extraction. The stool was
occupied for close to 50 years (1967-2012) but vacated.
 During the ceremony, traditional guns were constantly shot into the air,
with their thick balled-smoke ascending upward to kiss the sky.
As this was on, the sky opened and torrential rains poured down ferociously.
However, chiefs, town people, relations and well-wishers defied the rains and
danced along the streets with the new Odogwu in a snail movement from the Obi’s
palace to his residence, as custom and tradition demands.
“Choosing Odogwu here is a rigorous process. As soon as an Odogwu dies,
qualified quarters will present candidates. Among them we choose one through
what we call democratic selection, after taking so many things into
consideration,” the Iyase (Prime Minster) of Onicha-Ugbo, Chief Festus Mafiana
said.
“What we believe and consider about the person involved are his wealth,
physical strength, awareness, integrity, concern about the people and most
importantly, he must be generally accepted by the people,” Chief Mafiana added.
While crowning Dr. Kachikwu, Obi Victor Chukwumaleze I said (through an
interpreter): “I and the Council of Chiefs, as well as the entire people of
Onicha Ugbo found you fit and capable of holding the Odogwu title for us. Being
a proud and worthy son, you will at all times defend and protect us from both
internal and external forces.”
As the ebony black middle-aged man who bagged a first class degree in law in
1978 at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) was honoured with the Odogwu
title, his spirit rose, smiles planted on his face and tears of joy sluiced his
cheeks. Instantly, his admirers crowded him, lifted him up and cheered to the
crowd -Odogwu-Odogwu. Shortly after, the elated Kachikwu, who led a dance
troupe from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to perform the Lamgbodo
Opera at FESTAC 77, declared: “I am happy and [I] promise I will not disappoint
anyone. We have to look for modern ways to bring about development. There is
almost a prototype around Nigeria which is that government is going to do this
or that, but I think we have gotten to a point where communities get to
regenerate themselves in terms of what can be done to move their communities
forward. Bring in fresh ideas and we can have a public-private sector
partnership in somewhere else, but the genesis of it must come from the
community.”
Those that witnessed the installation included the former deputy governor of
Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue; Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, representing Delta
North; the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei; House of
Assembly members, Mrs. Aimona and Ndidi Elumele; Justice Francis Tabai Rtd,
High Chief Tunde Smarth, Warri South local government Kingmaker, Daniel Pere,
Brig Gen. Demeyibo (rtd, former chairman of New Nigerian Bank, Chief N.O.E
Tiemo and group chairman of A&E petroleum, Ayirimi Emani.