We're yet to have recognized traditional ruler in Adazi-Nnukwu - Chukwuma, others

Prominent indigenes of Adazi-Nnukwu community in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra state have stated categorically that the community is yet to have a traditional ruler, since after the demise of Igwe Michael Orjiako, many years ago.

One of the indigenes, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuma, an international business mogul based in Abidjan, Cote D'ivoire, who disclosed this yesterday at Afor market square, Adazi-Nnukwu while distributing cash worth millions of naira to beneficiaries of his empowerment programme, said for clarity purposes, the process of selecting a new Igwe to succeed the late Orjiako is still in progress and also in court.

Chukwuma who has a chieftaincy title of (Ichie Nwata Yanachiya Dinamma) (a boy who is in good terms with his God), said the speculations making the round that Governor Willie Obiano has given a chieftaincy certificate to someone else when the on-going selection process is yet to be concluded and someone yet to be unianimously selected, might not be true.

Chukwuma who is also an Igweship contestant for the community, vowed to use the last drop of his blood to restore peace in the area, adding that his decision to map out N15 million on an annual basis, to empower the youths in the area for the past 10 years now, was not because he is the richest man in town but because he wants the youths to be engaged in meaningful ventures and become useful to themselves, rather than taking to crime.

In his speech, Chief Kenneth Chukwuma, President of Nigerian community based in Northern Cameroun and Emmanuel's elder brother, called on Governor Obiano to acknowledge the fact that since Adazi-Nnukwu chieftaincy process in the area is not yet settled, he should not accord a recognition to anybody yet, for the interest of peace and tranquility.

He expressed concern that some people in the area who retired from public service and returned home to play village politics had fabricated lies and deceived indigenous and resident priests in the area, as well as government officials into believing that all is well with the Igweship position, but failed to tell them that the Igweship tussle is currently pending before an Awka High Court presided over by the state Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi himself.

Also speaking on behalf of the women wing, Mrs. Patricia Anarado, a widow, said women were not happy with the attempt by some elements to disqualify Chukwuma unjustly, after he was selected along side two other Igweship contestants, simply because they knew he would beat the two others in the contest if allowed to contest, because of his popularity and philanthropic deeds that endeared him to the people.

Highlight of the occasion included the distribution of various sums of money ranging from N100,000, N50,000, N40,000, N30,000, N25,000 and N20,000 to distinguished beneficiaries, both male and female numbering over 100, as well as raffle draws for two motorcycles for male and female categories which were won by a man, Prophet Ike Jesus Ebumnobi and a woman, Mrs. Adaobi Ezechukwu.