Guests from all walks of life joined His Royal Highness, Eze (Dr.) Christian Chikadibia Nwokedi recently as he celebrated his one year on the throne as the Eze Ndigbo of Ijegun and Ijedodo communities which is also known as Ofala; a special thanksgiving to God for His mercies and leading him through the one year on the throne.
The event which began from his palace with the conferment of titles to two great personalities because of their integrity, and contribution to humanity namely Eze Nwanyi Mili Esther Ihechi O. C. titled as ‘Ngwu Kufere Mba” in Ijegun / Ijedodo Kingdom and Miracle Ndibuisi Ebem as “Urukan Chukwu, before moving to the White House Event Field, was attended by captains of industries, royal fathers, Pastors, the Police, the Army and other eminent personalities also had on display the rich Igbo cultures and tradition.
Buttressing from the bible view point, that when a righteous man occupies the throne, the people rejoices as within the one year of being on the throne, most of the people in his jurisdiction have numerous testimonies with which to appreciate God for his life.
Dignitaries who spoke at the occasion described Eze Nwokedi as a man of integrity who has exhibited the true qualities of an Eze Ndigbo in all ramifications which explains the huge turn-out of eminent personalities who attended the occasion.
To the celebrant, it was an occasion to give thanks to God for His protection, provisions, wisdom, sound health and mercies.
According to him, “Today I want to tell the whole world that my kingship has come to stay. I thank God for making my throne to stand, wisdom, and the resources that God gave me to rule for the first year.
Speaking on his achievements in the year under review, Eze Nwokedi said, “I don’t create stories but I make news. Within the one year I have supported widows and less-privileged persons in various capacities. The programme for widows from different local governments was done in four batches. It is now I know why God chose me, I like touching lives, and I feel happy when I touch lives, not only that, I want to empower 300 people by next month April, most of them I will give money to start businesses of their choice when they complete apprenticeship from their masters.”
Eze Nwokedi, in an exclusive interview with The Unique Model Magazine disclosed further that about 10 members of Ndigbo Buru Otu were given plots of land at their Estate recently.
“The day I gave out the land, some journalists were at the site and interviewed the beneficiaries and they confirmed that I never requested any money from them. They were surprised when I informed them, and came at the estate, I showed them their plots. Presently, some of them have sold their plots, I have given, I have given that is me. Apart from the land, I had built houses for people in my town. Not just a house but house built up to standard of my personal house in the village. I was using Peugeot 406, and have to spend money to make people have a shelter. When I make a promise, God always supports me and makes ways for me to fulfill my promise,” he disclosed.
On his advice to other Ezes, he said, “My advice to them is to touch lives, a kingship is where a widow / poor man will go and have food to eat. Apart from feeding, on several occasions people came to request money for drugs, I will give and add food for them to eat after taking drugs.
“A king is a servant and a leader, but people call it king, he’s a servant because a community can send a king to go and talk on their behalf and report back to them. A king uses his personal money to help the society. When I receive any offer on behalf of my people, I give the offer to them. King is not about making show, but who did you help? When your name is mentioned, how many people will be happy? A king should be humble and approachable.
“When a king is approachable, people can come close and make a complaint or request for his assistance. Let us not behave like there is no tomorrow because one day all of us will die. Touch lives in your areas, that is what God want us to do. If all the Ezes play their roles in their area, the whole Ndigbo will be happy.
Following the recent conflicts between Igbo and Yoruba in Lagos state in the aftermath of the Presidential election in the state, Eze Nwokedi recalled how God used him to stop the conflict in his area.
“I will love all of us to live as one because without peace, there will be no progress. Yorubas are our host, and we support one another. People are talking about tribe, but all tribes have same blood, red. Why can’t us come together and maintain peace,” he stated.
Explaining what inspires him to always show extra-ordinary kindness to people, he said, “Thanks, my father died when I was eight years, and my mother died and I didn’t have a helper. I came to Lagos without money, I slept in shop for seven years. When God blessed me, I said I will not like people to pass through what I suffered, so that is what inspires and encourages me to help people. I am always happy when I help people.”
Eze Nwokedi also spoke about “Ndigbo Buru Otu,” an association he founded and presides over. “Yes, I formed the club to help Ndigbo, and members are benefiting from the club. We give loans, because for one to obtain a loan from the bank to start or support his business, he or she must present collateral and pay interest. In Igbo Buru Otu, we don’t ask for interest. It is good to have a good leader who thinks ahead and fast.
Presently, we are building a house where members can live one to two years in case they are evicted from their rented apartment or emergency, free of charge. By next year, the house will be completed. God blessed me with wisdom, if you have God, there’s no shaking. So the estate is there, and we have members’ houses under construction,” he added.
He expressed profound gratitude to his guests for their show of love and appreciation and promised to also be there for them whenever they need his attention.
“I am happy because they love me, and trust me, when they are doing their own occasion, I will be there too,” he stated.
Ndi Eze Ndigbo from the various local governments in Lagos attended the event in their numbers in appreciation of his personality and show of solidarity.
Among them are: HRH Eze Chukwukadibia Umenwekwe, Eze Ndigbo of Oriade, LCDA, Eze Alex S.M. Nwoye Onyendu, Eze Igbo Bobaselu of Ejigbo and Ijan Land, Omere Oha Ndigbo of Lagos, Duru Ochiriozua of Uga, Eze Vincent Iwobi Eze Ndi Igbo of Shasha, Eze Ndi Ndi of Ajeromi , Eze Lawrence Namdi, Eze White Sand, and others.
In unison, they described Eze Nwokedi as a man with large heart, a pride of Ndigbo, a giver to all tribes, a gift from God to humanity and encouraged him to continue in his good nature.