His Royal Majesty, Eze Godfrey Onwuka, the Towe 1 of Umutowe autonomous community, Olokoro clan in Umuahia South L.G.A, of Abia State, has honoured a philanthropist and a lawyer, Mr. Hope Chinedu Dike Obiakarije and his wife, also a lawyer, Mrs Oluchi Hope Dike, with chieftaincy titles respectively, to reward their contributions to humanitarian assistance and community development in the community.
Mr Hope Chinedu Dike Obiakarije, who also run a charity organization, was awarded the chieftaincy title of “Onwa 1 of Umutowe autonomous community” (Moon); while his wife, Mrs Oluchi Hope Dike, was awarded with “Ezinwanyi” (A virtuous woman) by Eze Onwuka on Saturday as part of activities to mark his seasonal chieftaincy conferment programme.
Speaking shortly after the chieftaincy title was conferred on him at the Palace of Justice in Itaja Amaegbu, Chief Hope Chinedu Dike Obiakarije thanked the monarch for the honour and described it as a challenge to do more. “I am pleased to receive this noble award and at the same time consider this a challenge to do more,” he said.
Chief Dike who said the new honour would further spur him to contribute more to the development of Olokoro community, also said, “When your contributions are recognized by the traditional rulers, who are the custodian of the people, it means that you have done very well and it is expected that you have to put in more efforts to make the people truly believe and trust you in your position of assistance.”
He thanked the traditional ruler, the Chiefs and people of Umutowe autonomous community, Olokoro clan in Umuahia South local government area of Abia state for finding him worthy for the title of “Onwa 1 of Umutowe autonomous community.
Equally, he appreciated his wife Lolo Oluchi Hope Dike for her support and encouragement
While conferring him with the Onwa 1 title HRM Eze Godfrey Onwuka, the immediate past third deputy chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, said it was in recognition of Chief Obiakarije’s developmental milestones, empowerment programmes and zeal to reduce unemployment among the youths of Umutowe and Olokoro community.
He described Chief Obiakarije, as a true Olokoro son, worthy of emulation, considering his efforts at improving the lot of Olokoro people and his determination to foster peace, unity and infrastructure development in the area.
Interacting with our correspondent respectively, the celebrant’s childhood friend and classmate, Barr. Levi Nwanma; Sir Mathew Uzuegbu; Itaja Umuolile village chairman, Mr. Chukwuemeka Odumuko recalled that before Chief Hope Dike was made a Chief, he has been engaging in many developmental projects in the community and making him a Chief is something that is in a positive direction.
“Onwa has been helping the society and also helping to maintain peace in Olokoro though he does not reside at home but the attributes I observed in him, makes him a good chief”, Sir Uzuegbu pointed out, even as he encouraged other Chiefs to emulate his attributes for Olokoro community to move to a higher level of progress and development.
The ceremony which was graced by notable Olokoro sons and daughters, saw Mr. Nwosu Chigozie Ebogu, conferred with the title of traditional chief of Umuokoronte village of Umuaroko, Itaja – Amaegbu and Mr Eze Ndubuka, who also received a High Chief title as ‘Echibugu na Umutowe’.
Earlier, a group known as Umutowe Assembly led by the President General of Umutowe autonomous community, Chief Ikechukwu Nwosu, made a gift presentation to Eze Godfrey Onwuka in support of the seasonal chieftaincy conferment programme.
