..Prepare to Hold Oba Women’s Carnival, Mass Return
By Uzo Ugwunze
The Oba Patriotic Union(OPU), Women’s Wing(Inyom Oba) has resolved that they would continue to pray until God gives the community a new traditional ruler without blood shed saying that Oba people need an Eze Okpoko II who has the heart of a true leader and the fear of God.
They also said that intense preparations are ongoing to host a maiden women’s carnival and Oba women’s Home and Abroad general mass return where their new uniform will be unveiled come 2025.
Presenting her address during the 2024 August Oba Women’s Home and Abroad general Meeting at Oba Civic Center, Idemili South Local Government Area, (ISLGA) Anambra State, the Inyom Oba President, Adaife Ngozi Chizoba Onwuka reiterated that Oba women all over the world have been saddled with the responsibility of praying relentlessly to God asking that there will not be any record of any loss of life as a result of the selection/election of a new monarch.
She thanked God for the successful election of the President General OPU, Engr. Uzo Ejiofor (Ugonnia) commending him for his collaboration with the OPU Women’s Wing but lamented that since the demise of the Late Igwe Peter Ezenwa Eze Okpoko 1 of Oba in 2018 some people have been frustrating the smooth transition towards getting a successor for the vacant throne.
“Truly, God is good. The election of the PG, Oba, Engr. Uzo Anthony Ejiofor (Ugonnia) from Umuokpa Umuogali village has been successful and he has since assumed office. He has been working in collaboration with Inyom Oba carrying us along in most of the town union programs and projects.
“Our prayers is that despite many challenges he is facing now God will use our PG in a special way to ensure the emergence of the next Igwe. We are aware that some crafty elements from both within and outside Oba community are bent on Jeopardizing the smooth Igwe EzeOkpoko II selection/election process but with God all things are possible”.
“Inyom Oba has been praying continuously for God to take control over this Igweship tussle asking him to avert anything that will cause shedding of blood. We have been praying for peace in Oba community asking God to give us a good and befitting leader not an illiterate, tyrant or gold digger that will not have the interest of the people and the community.
“We are also working for mutual understanding amongst ourselves as women. We want to embark on a mega project which is the launching of Inyom Oba ‘New Uniform’ to replace the one we have been using for the past 20 years which already worn out.
“Our intention is to hold a women carnival, the first of its kind by August 2025. The carnival is a kind of mass return featuring: unveiling of new uniform, recognition cum awards presentation to deserving members from home and in diaspora, dance and cultural display in fact a kind of funfare that will attract both friends and well wishers from far and near,” Mrs Onwuka said.
Mrs Ngozi Onwuka after encouraging Oba women to be serious in doing business at the Afor-Uzo market urged the President General OPU who was their special guest to ensure that street traders were compelled to enter and take up shops inside Afor-Uzo market to avoid road accidents.
Moreso, she urged the PG to facilitate the relocation of Oba courts through the Anambra State Ministry of Justice from the temporary building complex to the permanent site saying that it was high time Inyom Oba takes possession of the building which is their hall.
Moreover, the Inyom President lamented the state of insecurity in Oba community which has been scaring people away from home urging the OPU to collaborate with security agencies in order to change the ugly news of kidnapping, extortion, robbery and violence often emanating from the community.
The Inyom Oba 2nd Vice President, Amb. Adaife Christy Ubadike (JP) advised women to learn from the various seminars and teachings given to them during the general meeting which include being submissive to their husbands and ensuring they call their husbands by a pet name like Honey, Sweetheart etc.
The 3rd Vice President, Lolo Adadioramma Ngozi Ibe encouraged mothers to discourage their sons from land grabbing and illegal land speculation saying that Oba needs youths who are responsible, God fearing and have a handiwork or legitimate business.
In his response, PG Oba, Engr. Uzo Ejiofor after commending the women for their projects, programs and human capital development called for unity and peace among women as a starting point to restoring peace in Oba community.
Ejiofor pleaded with the women to continue praying for Oba community especially regarding the Igweship selection and insecurity cum violence experienced within Oba community, urging them to talk to their husbands and sons in a manner that will ameliorate the cases of litigations surrounding the Igweship selection/ election process and violence cum extortion perpetrated by Oba youths into illegal land grabbing/speculation.