Forty-three years after the demise of Onyenweala VI, King (Eze) Truman Wabara Akpara, the people of Umuihueze Akwete autonomous community over the weekend, crowned King Augustine Enyinna Ogbulu Opiah Agbara the Onyenweala VII.
The coronation which took place at the community ancient square was conducted by the Regent Chief Gabriel Okerenta Chuta – Ekeke Agbara amid pops and pageantry.
In his post-coronation remarks, the Palace Secretary, Mr. Ogbonna Chijiuche, thanked Abia state government, through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Prince Uzor Nwachukwu for granting them approval.
Chijiuche who also thanked God for the successful coronation of their traditional ruler, decried kingship tussle for the delayed coronation .
He explained that in 1975, at the selection of King Trueman Esiuka Akpara Agbara, it was agreed that Opiah will take the next turn.
The Public Servant who further revealed that Opiah nominated King Augustine Ogbulu as the Mbichiriezi of Opiah and Onyenweala-elect of Akwete ancient Kingdom since the year 2000 in line with their customs, culture and traditions.
Contributing, the community woman leader, Madam Ezihe Owowo, thanked God for the successful coronation of King Ogbulu as the Onyenweala VII after 43 years of waiting, expressing hope that the development would usher in unity and progress in the community.
She described King Ogbulu as a man of great repute, pledging women and youth support to the newly crowned monarch.
The beating of Ikoro drum; signifying a new dawn
King Augustine Enyinna Ogbulu Opiah was born in August 26, 1956 to the family of late Chief Ephraim Ekekenta Opiah Agbara and Madam (Lolo) Nma Ephraim Ogbulu Opiah of the Opiah lineage of Agbara Akunwata Otuji in Akwete ancient Kingdom.
Until his nomination as the Eze-elect of Umuihueze Akwete ancient Kingdom, King Ogbulu, a University of Port-Harcourt graduate of Economics, had served as Supervisor, Human Resources, Administration Department for Eastern zone of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and retired in the year 2022.
Highpoints of the event were cultural display by different groups, playing of ikoro drums; signifying a new dawn while the Mbichiriezis, Chiefs, prominent sons and daughters of the community were present at the coronation.
