By Regina Igwebuike
HRH, Igwe Uche Sunday Okonkwo (Okpaligwe), the Traditional Ruler of Amawbia, the centre-point town in Awka Capital Territory in Anambra State, on June 20, inaugurated his Traditional Cabinet. The rather large Okpaligwe-in-Council will assist the traditional ruler in the discharge of his role as custodian of Amawbia tradition and culture and in the onerous task of re-directing the town to enduring peace, progress and reclamation of identity.
Igwe Okonkwo gave a hint of his vision for the town and the type of leadership he intends to provide. He made far-reaching proclamations while praying over kolanut to open the ceremony. He expressed that his reign as Okpaligwe Amawbia will be broadly inclusive, admitting that Amawbia as the epicentre of the Capital Territory requires haste in straightening the many things that had been bent for too long and things to be done but ignored.
The hall didn’t miss to note his first act as he performed the symbolic distribution of kolanuts in the Amawbia tradition of honour. By that remarkable act, it was obvious that Igwe Okonkwo has come to straighten up the wrinkled life of the town, showing the institutions both traditional and modern that will matter in his reign. He first called on Almighty God and then, the forebears of the ancient town in what sounded like an uncommon chant and poetry. At the end, he held the hall in his grips. Two senior persons sitting near echoed, “this guy truly was brought out by “ana Amawbia”; he didn’t come ordinary.” The day was his display of wisdom, depth and charge.
The inauguration ceremony showed that Igwe Okonkwo came prepared as a traditional ruler. He appealed to Ndi Amawbia to show understanding because in constituting his cabinet, he had questioned the norm, promising to seek constitutional amendments to ratify the nature of the new Cabinet.
The new Cabinet is broad-based; it includes 15 permanent members authorized by statutory provisions of Amawbia Town Constitution.The other group were non-permanent statutory members consisting of 24 reps nominated from the town’s six villages. About 35 distinguished citizens of shades of profession and accomplishments were on honorary members nominated by the traditional ruler himself. About 32 persons were nominees from Amawbia citizens in the Diaspora and the youth age. Pre-requisite to sit at meetings as member, however, is swearing to the Oath of Allegiance and inauguration.
The Okpaligwe himself swore in these groups in order of mention, starting with the Osojeze. Each voiced their individual Oath of Allegiance and signed themselves to loyalty to the town and the throne.
The Cabinet will be chaired by the Okpaligwe himself and the Osojeze as Vice. Key principal officers, all accomplished persons, were then upon appointed. The former Principal Secretary to Anambra State Governor, Sir Willie Nwokoye was appointed Cabinet Secretary to be assisted by the former Chairman, Anambra State Chapter of NUJ, Sir Emmanuel Ifesinachi. High Chief Benji Udeozor, former Anambra State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party emerged as Cabinet Treasurer and Nze Emmanuel Nwokoye, retired Director in the Anambra State Civil Service, as Financial Secretary. The rest of the Cabinet officers represent fair village distribution.
Hitting the ground running, the Cabinet members were distributed in Seven Working Committees or Commissions, indicating the speed with which the town needs to run and its strategic focus. The Commissions are focused on: Culture, Conflict Resolution, Lands & Litigations, Defence & Territorial Integrity, Investment & Financing, Projects & Beautification of town, and Media & Image.
The Cabinet will operate without recourse to the town’s purse. Quickly, a Cabinet Transactional Account is to be opened for its running. By the end of meeting, over N4 million had been raised voluntarily from members to open the account.
Regina Igwebuike is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
