By Chinenye Chukwuma
The Eze- Elect of Umuele Autonomous community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Royal High Chief Chukwuma Jesophat Onuoha has expressed his determination to extend his hands of philantropy to the people of his community if confirmed and given staff of office
High Chief Onuoha stated this in an interview with newsmen on the occasion of his presentation as the new Eze-Elect to the Executive Chairman of Ehime Mbano LGA, Hon Uche Nwodu. He noted that he feels glad for being chosen by his community to lead them, pointing out that as a philanthropist, he is going to carry his subjects along in the scheme of things, and assured the people of Umuele that he will never disappoint them.
He expressed delight that his people brought him out as their Eze-Elect and promised that he is going to lead them well and make them proud.The monarch noted that he is qualified for the position because he has foresight, he is industrious, intelligent, efficient, knowledgeable and examplery, stressing that these qualities are the ingredients for excellent leadership, and appealed to the people of the area to give him their maximum support.
The Eze-Elect also revealed his plans to attract community developmental projects to his community so that his subjects would benefit from both state and federal government largesse, as well as enjoy dividends of democracy from government.
He further promised to ensure that the peace and unity existing among the people of Umuele are sustained throughout his reign, pledging also to settle disputes among his subjects, if any, so that with togetherness and peaceful atmosphere, the growth and development of the community would be achieved.
Royal High Chief Onuoha enjoined the youths to be calm, law-abiding and have respect for constituted authorities to be useful to themselves and society at large.
Also speaking, the President General of the community, Chief Emeka Iwuoha disclosed that their quest to be recognized as an autonomous community began as far back as 2005 during the reign of Chief Achike Udenwa, the former governor of Imo State.
According to him, the process continued until 2014 on the creation of new autonomous communities recommended the creation of Umuele autonomous community with their then Eze Elect A C Anyanwu who passed on just at the twilight of his recognition and presentation of staff of office by His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
He stated that with the passing on of their former Eze Elect, and after the mourning period, a committee was set up with the mandate to select a new Eze-Elect by the community, pointing out that after several meetings held, the committee came up with its guidelines for candidates for the position of our new Eze-Elect.
Chief Iwuoha recalled that during the annual 26th December 2024 General Meeting of Umuele Ancient kingdom, their new Eze-Elect in the person of High Chief Chukwuma Jesophat Onuoha was unanimously nominated and elected as the new Eze-Elect and there was no opposition to his emergence.
Addressing the people on the occasion, the Chairman, Ehime Mbano LGA, Hon Nwodu noted that creation of autonomous communities leads to development because government largesse is shared community by community, stressing that as far as an Eze Elect is qualified according to government criteria, nothing stops him from being a traditional ruler.
According to the Chairman, "We as local government, we are post master. Any community that brings an Eze Elect, we have no right to reject such presentation, I told them that there is no reason to turn them down".
He emphasized that an Eze Elect is not yet an Eze until he is confirmed and given staff of office, noting that there is no person or group that will prevent him provided that he fulfills all that is required, and advised the people of Umuele to pray for their Eze Elect and the community so that the presentation will be fruitful, expressing the hope that at the end of the day, they will succeed.
