By Onomiguren Agbamu
Onicha Ukwuani community in Ndokwa West local Government Area has conferred a Chieftaincy title on her illustrious son, Chief Emeke Ochonogor, as” Omemma 1 of Onicha Ukwuani ” for electrifying their communities which have been in total darkness for more than 20 years.
Declaring the Chieftaincy title publicly, the prime minister of the five quarters, the Onotu-Uku of Onicha, Chief George Ogwu revealed that the community deem it necessary to honour Emeke Ochonoghor for his unending humanitarian gesture towards the Onicha Ukwuani community especially electrifying the communities that have been in total darkness for more than 20 years.
Chief George noted that such humanitarian kind cannot be overlooked without the community reciprocating by honouring him.
He said, recognizing such a man, would spur him and others to begin to look inward by contributing their quota to the development of their communities.
According to him: ” the honour is because of the goodness of Emeke Ochonogor as he has established electricity for the entire five quarters- Amoji, Eweshi, Ibabu, Ike- Onicha and Ugiliamai”.
“So, we have nothing to render to him, we all agreed to give him the title, “the Omemma 1 of Onicha” because we have never seen a man who brings electricity to his community without the help of the government. The idea is to give him the title to enable him do more and for others to emulate him.”
Chief George disclosed that the five quarters have been in total darkness for more than 20 years, saying “we have been struggling for the government to help but couldn’t see any help from them”.
He, however, appealed to the state government to build health care facilities, good primary and secondary schools and water for the community.
Speaking in an interview, President General, Onicha-Ukwuani Youth, comrade Ambrose Enuma said the honour of Chief Emeke Ochonogor was perfectly God’s doing for the youth of the community to have among them a person who is worthy to emulate and love by the communities.
While expressing gratitude for the Chieftaincy title, Chief Emeke Ochonogor expressed happiness. He said he didn’t know that the community would go this far to crown him with the title as Omemma 1 of Onicha Ukwuani.
He said; ” I am very happy about the honour, it is a thing of joy that your people recognize you that you have done something for them. It is a good feeling and hopefully in the future I am going to do more”
The ceremony was well attended by sons and daughters of the community and neighbouring communities including Ogume, Utagba Uno, Iselegu and others.