Celebrating Nze na Ozo in Umuchu Community and its cultural renaissance; Pharmacist Chike Ezeanya's example and Photos

 Cross section of Old Boys of Ozo Eze Osineke

 Igwe Ezechukwu middle flanked right by Ozo Eze Osineke and left by an Industrialist, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, Publisher of Orient Daily Newspaper and far right Prince Ifeanyi Onyeso of Nri kingdom and High Chief  Emmanuel Emelife and far right Chairman of Ndiichie, Chief Law Muonago and others

Izu Ahia Ozo Eze Osin’eke , Pharmacist  Chike Ezeanya was a shock to the uninitiated but to the initiated , he delayed it for too long. This is because Ezeanya long time ago wedded his wife in a traditional attire rather than white wedding gown and Italian Suites and shoes to match before Rev Fr Irabor. That wedding sent signals that although Chike trained as a Pharmacist, he is a lover of tradition and culture and would do anything positive to protect and promote Igbo tradition and culture.

Ozo Eze Osineke as he would henceforth be addressed by his people and others told The Authority that, ‘’ I want to state that we Igbos have rich and exciting cultural practices. It is left for us especially the educated and enlightened Igbos to promote our culture’’, advocating for the speaking and writing of Igbo language for sake of posterity.

And because he reaches out, the MTN foundation Nigeria supported his Izu Ahia Ozo with promotional materials like umbrellas, T-shirts , caps, water dispenser, Biro , carrier bags , fan, key holders through Mr Tiko Reginald Ofor, a senior staff of MTN.  He attracted his social circles including Umuchu Freedom club, St Michaels School, Nimo Old Boys , class of 86 among them were Chief Paul Emeka Ezenwa, Akpókuodike of Nimo and Pharmacist Vikito Okeke, Mgbajiaka Enugwu Agidi among others and Umuchu Youths movement as well as the latest Ndi Nze na Ozo, Umuchu , Eastern Professionals and beyond even representatives from Igwe Igboukwu HRH Dr Martin Eze , and Eze Nri , HRH Obidiegwu Onyeso. 

On Thursday 31st December, 2015 the journey started with Igo Oji na Itu nzu which is traditional prayers with Kola Nut and White chalk  before been taken to important sites harbouring cultural significances of Umuchu kingdom like the Ikoro shrine, Uchu, Ugbo valley among others and a ceremonial walk to Nkwo Umuchu to trade (Izu Ahia Ozo)proper. But on Wednesday 30th December, 2015 , Ezeanya had practiced and leant the dance steps of the group he was being initiated into, Nze na Ozo dance. Their dance steps are not only regally and majestically.

Igwe Umuchu , Okwuruoha 1 , celebrates his Ofala on 30th December of every year, Ezeanya paid a courtesy visit to the Monarch at his Crystal Palace, Umuchu. I wouldn’t know what his brother , Right Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor , Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Amichi would say if he hears about that as he has been outspoken against combining Ozo title taking and Christianity.

He has one pain , that Umuchu should maintain a standard in traditional marriage process and stop using it as a payback time for any suitor whatever his people had collected from Umuchu when they visited. He is proud of his community and language as well as culture and tradition. And because of his love for creativity, he becomes first Nigerian if I am not mistaken to open a ‘’Talking Bar’’, where people relax and talk on ideas but not without a bottle and some munching. It is located at Lagos state , FESTAC Town precisely. He equally publishes a yearly Magazine for his people entitled ‘’In and Around Umuchu ‘’, where he x-rays the activities in his community for the year. He initiated Umuchu Christmas Carnival.

It was Vitus Uzoo, Personal Assistant to Hon Tim Egboka that told me much about the culture and tradition of Umuchu people and the title taker, adding that Ozo title taking in Umuchu is for each village and not collectively, hence Ozo Eze Osineke was painting Umuchu red in celebration with Igwe and his cabinet in attendance.

Before HRH Igwe Godwin Ezechukwu, OON , traditional ruler of Umuchu arrived, Ezeanya had received some title men with him with tubers of yam and fowls to match to enable them wine and dine with him as titled men. For the three traditional rulers , it was three rams and tubers of yams. He immediately went inside the house to complete the requirements as the latest Ozo in town while drums and chants continued outside. He resurfaced to the admiration of all and the dance steps changed. He had trekked more than 3 kilometers from the market to his compound with wife and all guests dancing to the beats of Enyimba cultural music from Ifite Awkuzu in Oyi local government area, Anambra state and showcasing his strides after he had gone round the market for about 2 hours. Masquerades added colour with canons firing from left and center to herald his arrival.

Ama be Ezeanya opposite Pioneer Secondary School Amanasaa , Umucu was filled to the brim with guests including Associate Professor of Law, M.N Umenweke ; President Freedom Club Umuchu , Prince Charles Ibeagwa led his members to the event and challenged themselves to assist propagate the goodness in their culture and tradition even as the club mayor Chuddy Ifediba , noted that Chike’s Ozo title taking is a plus to his feats rather than the other way round.

Special Assistant to the Anambra state , Secretary to the state Government, SSG Prof Osita Solo Chukwudobelu , Mr Tony Ughenu  known as Lato during his days at St Michaels because plays football more than Okocha but never was in Super Eagles appears to have led other old boys in solidarity.

Ughenu  who said he knew Chike as a titled man since 1990 stated further: ’’you do not know Chike. The surprise would have been  that he did not take the Ozo title. He is a Maverick. He is a Phenomenon. He constructs his own world and he is in it but he is grounded in his trade and stands on equity, truth, fair play and justice even though so much of a radical with kind spirit. This event is a colourful cultural and traditional renaissance in Umuchu, it should be emulated as a good revival of tradition.     

On his part, another member of St Michaels class of 86 ,Emeka Vivian Okeke , a Microbiologist from Enugu Agidi, described Chike as very jocular , magnanimous and conscious of his roots as an Igbo man. He insisted that the Ozo title Chike took had nothing fetish about it, and that Chike is a very religious person.

Then Nze Celestine Ezeunara, member of the Board of Trustees of Umuchu Freedom Club and age mate of the celebrant noted that with the title of Ozo, Chike has fulfilled his desire as a true Igbo man adding that it is a well deserved title for him to assist in propagating of wonderful cultures and traditions of Ndigbo especially his Umuchu community. He concluded that educated people should be the ones taking Ozo title in order to redefine it and bring out the true perspectives for the sake of children. 

Forerunner of the traditional ruler of Umuchu and Chairman of Ndichie in Umuchu, Ichie Ogiliga Law.I. Muonago , Omekozuora 1 explained that without him satisfying that titled men would now enter Chike’s compound, the traditional ruler would not come to the compound or other titled men adding that in Umuchu Ichie is the highest of the titled men as not everybody can be Ichie as it is for one person in a kindred but every person could be Ozo in a family of ten.
He said the market dance and show as accompanied by Igwe and himself along others marked the apogee of his title taking hence he is now addressed as Ozo. He said Chike has contributed meaningfully in the community as a member of Umuchu Improvement Union (UIU), Pharmacist and educated man  to warrant his endorsement for the Ozo title, hoping youths would emulate him.

In an interview later, the celebrant , Chike Ezeanya insisted that he was engaging in promotion of culture and tradition because he is educated and knows the value better, urging other educated minds to appreciate the value of culture and tradition lamenting that too much learning deprived Ndigbo its quality cultural and traditional practices which every set of people is known for including Ozo title taking. He said the title now gives him access to contribute to some meetings ordinarily he would not attend in the community for better growth and development of the society.

‘’Ignorance is too much but I am committed in making people aware of the essence of culture and tradition and spread the knowledge about culture and tradition because what people are saying about our culture and tradition is not worth it’’, Ezeanya concluded.

The traditional ruler of Nri, Eze Onyeaso represented by his son Prince Ifeanyi Onyeaso and Ichie Ukwu , Chief Emmanuel Emelife, said they were in Umuchu to find out if the tradition and culture they are the custodians are still the way it should be in title taking of Ozo or whether they have introduced a variant, but were happy Umuchu is still in order. He said Nri taught the world the essence of being custodians of tradition and culture and why title taking is proper. He added that Ozo title is a justice delivery system taught by Nri kingdom for peace to exist in communities.

Prince Onyeso said Chike by the title has washed his tongue against lying and evil, must henceforth speak truth to power unmindful of its consequences if any, and would be an arbiter of truth in all circumstances, and shun injustice in all ramifications. He pointed out that Chike now though still alive but dead to sin and injustice and all evils in the society , since his watchword must be Holiness to be a perfect judge for the people having been ordained for conflict resolution. He is no longer a mere mortal by the title now on him, he is immortal because he would no longer die like others but transmute as a titled man.

Prince Onyeso corroborated with Ezeanya that misinformed people were busy trying to destroy the tradition and culture of Ndigbo, adding that Ozo title taking is maintaining history and not satanic or fetish as alleged in some quarters .
Suddenly the scene changed as the traditional custodian of Umuchu, arrived the venue 16:05 in company of Chairman of Ichie’s in Umuchu and others and was received the same way a titled man must be received with yams and fowl. He accepted it and danced round the compound exchanging pleasantries with the host , Chike and wife Promise. Then it was merry and dance till dawn with friends across board trooping to identify with Chike and wife.

Chike’s wife Promise was in her element, appearing in white like her husband but careful not to do anything at the contrary to the demands of the tradition as she waits for directive before acting any script out. She however asked God two things---long life and health with resources to take care of her children hence she could extend to others. She also prays challenges of life would be the ones they would be able to cope with.
Written by Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, an Awka, Anambra state based journalist, writer , public Affairs Analyst and Unionist. 08060750240
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