Imo State Community Honours Chief Felix Chibuzor Nnaji, wife, others

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Amambaa Ebikoro, Uzoagba community, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, will not forget in a hurry how the place was lit up with joyful celebration on October 26 as Chief Felix Chibuzor Nnaji and his beautiful wife, Chief Vanessa Brozie, were bestowed with chieftaincy titles.

The occasion, which also marked the annual Iri ji festival of the community and 20th anniversary of the coronation of its traditional ruler, Ebi 1 of Ebikoro, Eze Marcel Okwadikesinachi Egemonu, witnessed several cultural displays from various dancing and musical troupes.

There is no doubt that Ndigbo wherever they find themselves excel and sit at the front. Nnaji is another good example of a true Igbo son from the sleepy community known for its rich cultural heritage and agriculture.

Although the couple had spent the better part of their days in the United States, where they excelled in their different endeavours, they have never lost touch with their home and culture of their people.

No doubt, they were selected among the illustrious sons from the area to be honoured with prestigious traditional titles for their transparent, kind gestures over the years.

Nnaji, who was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Ikemba 1 of Ebikoro, was a parliamentarian of the World Igbo Congress in America and an ex-president of same congress. His love for culture also warranted him to be the committee chairman, Council of Igbo State for World Igbo Festival of Arts and culture, held in USA between 2021 and 2022.

His wife Vanessa Nnaji, an African/American, ex-Imo State Congress First Lady, who is an IT professional was confirmed as the “Agu Nwanyi 1 of Ebikoro.”

The community’s monarch explaining the meaning of their titles while performing the ceremony in his palace said: “It’s a strong title given to a worthy son who has contributed massively to the development of their home town. He has been a strong pillar of this community. He has made us proud by single-handedly providing necessary amenities.

“We decided to honour them because they’re worthy sons and daughters of Ebikoro community, among them is Chief Felix Nnaji. He has upheld dignity and fame. He is a philanthropist and peacemaker. He has assisted most of my subjects in different forms, even abroad. His home is home for all, he is a good man.”

Speaking on the importance of the celebration of the new yam festival he said: “The Iri ji festival is important in Igbo land because we celebrate the harvesting of our new yam and to thank our children and sustain the culture that yam is the only crop in the ban of the farmer that can make him richer than any business man. When you take one tuber and cut it into ten pieces, it will give you ten tubers of yam and that makes a farmer a healthy farmer.

“Iri ji Ebi 1 of Ebikoro has become an annual event which brings our respected sons and friends both at home and in diaspora. It is another form of home coming for indigenes of Ebikoro to see the progress of each other and appreciate the peaceful society occasioned by the Eze and cabinets. The level of peace and development will spur many into finding themselves a place of commitment.”

In his response to the honour conferred on him, Nnaji said: “I’m overwhelmed. I never knew I was loved and appreciated this way. To God be the glory. The things I’ve done in the past I never knew they would go a long way to touch lives in the community. Now they’ve showed me this love we would do more to appreciate the gestures to the love they’ve shown me, my wife and my family.”

Also his elder brother, Ibeneme Nnaji, appreciating the honour on his brother said: “Everybody has his own destiny. My brother is destined for greatness. It started when he was small; he played football. It’s his God-given gift. If you allow him, he would run for the president of America or even in Nigeria if there’s life. I pray he prospers in everything he does. My brother holds a very important position in America. He is a goalgetter; he’s richly blessed.”

Newly crowned “Agu Nnanyi” of Ebikoro, Chief Vanessa was not left out in the excitement. As a matter of fact, she displayed some African dance steps during the occasion to showcase her identity as a true African woman.

She said: ” I’m overwhelmed today, to be given such honour. I’m happy. I’ve always supported my husband in all that he has been doing even back there in America. It’s good to know African culture still exists and we’re proud to identify with it.

“We would continue to support the people and God willing our scholarship programme will continue. We would continue to give power to the people because we know it’s one of the most things lacking here. We keep the health programmes on and we would always come back for more cultural occasions holding in Nigeria.”

A former special adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on livestock development, Tony Osuji, while thanking the monarch and his cabinet for carefully selecting the awardees, said he was happy about the selection process unlike how it’s obtainable in some places.

He said: “The honour is a welcome development. The ones brought out today were indigenes of this autonomous community, Ebikoro. The ones we frown at is importing people from who knows where, who have never made any meaningful contributions to the society and you are given them title here and there. But the one I’m witnessing today is a very good one and all well deserved. ”

Among those also honoured are Maj. Gen. Collins Ihekire (retd), Maj. Gen. Sebastine Achilike (retd), Okey Amushie, Chief Davies Ihentuge, Stanley Chukwuezi and Chief Cecilia Ndukwu, among others.