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This Traditional Ruler Trounced Much Older Candidates To Emerge As Eze Of Awo-Ohii-Dim Atta
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Awo-Ohii -Dim Atta Autonomous community in Ikeduru Imo state
In this Special interview with The Legend’s Editorial Board Members: Okee Sydney-Obiukwu and Victoria Warrant, the traditional ruler, recounts the journey to the throne and much more. A must read, as you would soon descover.
How does it feel to be elected the traditional ruler of Awo-Ohii-Dim Atta autonomous community in Ikeduru, Imo state, at a young age, you are barely fifty ?
Well I feel so happy to be there at this age to reign as a traditional ruler in my revered community which has intellectuals of high repute and highly respected men and women in Imo state and Nigeria at large. Moreso I have to say age is a number when it is the will of GOD. However whatever happens in any position of authority in life the Almighty father who is the maker of heaven and earth, the king of kings has a hand in it and I also strongly believe that our almighty father will equip me to perform my duties as a traditional ruler of my community to the best of my ability, which will lead to the best possible outcome for the entire community.
We understand, it was a keenly contested election, take us through your experience.
Yes indeed it was a keen contest. Well Before it all started I was unanimously called upon by my kinsmen Umumaru in Amawo village of six kindreds to come and be the traditional ruler because we are the second born of Amawo .History has it that the first born umudurudu is our senior and our brother, they are called Ojiofor (The holder of the diety). As it is in Igboland you cannot be the Ojiofor and be the Eze at the same time so I was called upon by my kinsmen to perform this duty .After much consultations and prayers by my elderly kinsmen it fell on me and they said that the ball was in my court if you allow it obviously it will roll. Then I remembered what I was taught in my undergraduate days as a sociology student in University of Porthacourt that Authority is given to you by your people to lead and this is Authority unlike power which can be taken by forceful coersion. So I decided to follow what my people have said which is the will of GOD .Because there is a saying which Goes that voice of the people is voice of GOD. However, two contestants came out from the same kindred umuduruebika following my kindred Umumaru that they were interested later one of them dropped his ambition as we were meant to understand two days to the election then we entered into a very keen but peaceful contest the whole community came out in mass to cast their votes which the CGC Imo state and some other Govt. officials were present obviously I won comprehensively with a very clear margin which I strongly believed that it is the will of GOD. After the whole process that day my opponent congratulated me in his concession speech for my victory and promised to work with me for the growth and development of our dear community. Well I must inform that nothing good in life comes easy and of which I believe this is it. Yes our Almighty GOD has a hand in it
Since your installation, have you tried to reach out to your rivals at the election, to give them sense of belonging? Are they now cooperating with you?
Yes I have been extending a hand of fellowship both to him and other stakeholders because the needs of the community cannot be met by only the traditional ruler. However, in life we can only know what is our individual hearts not what is in the next persons. Furthermore, there is a saying which goes that the heart is a bag and everybody is carrying his own. But I thank GOD for his wisdom and grace which endure forever.
How has this transformation of social status affected your everyday life?
Honestly it did affected my everyday life .There are certain things I cannot do and places I cannot go again because my life and conduct now represent a whole community. There is a saying which goes that he who people look up to do not allow sands and ashes to be all over him .more so, as a sociologist this came as a culture shock at first but in life I believe change is constant and this is a positive one.
How do you plan to uplift your community, using your new office?
Yes I have well meaning Nigerians in my community who are also stakeholders that will help to attract federal and state goodies to the betterment of both old and young ones who are coming up. Why I am saying this is because the job of community building or reengineering cannot be done by the community ruler alone. There is a saying which goes that when everybody pulls along the same direction more will enormously be achieved. More so I am well placed to use my good office in order to attract the best development and investment in my community using the good people both within and outside the community, less I forget we are already putting up a foundation which will help to improve the lives of men and women who desperately need assistant within the community.
Do you think that traditional rulers are still relevant in nation building?
Yes they are relevant in nation building .The are fourth tie government in Nigeria. They are well recognized by the government and also they are given powers to operate in their various communities. They also engaged in conflict resolutions in communities and peaceful coexistence. Traditional rulers work in conjunction with various law enforcement agencies to ensure maintenance of law and order in their communities, so this process helps in nation building because where this peace, there will be growth and sustainable development.
Some people argue that traditional rulers should be confined to the role of preserving tradition and culture of their people, do you agree?
Personally I do not agree, well I think traditional rulers perform both their traditional and cultural role as traditional rulers as well as playing a major role in nation building. Going further most of the communities that have traditional rulers are nations in a nation-state called Nigeria. We all agree that a nation is a stable community of people that are formed on the basis of common language, culture and tradition, territory, History and ethnicity. they are conscious of cultural-political Autonomy, unity and of a particular interest .Culture is the people way of life as it is simply put to the understanding of everyone so as Nigeria which is a nation state has different nations with diverse cultures could lead to healthy competition among the nations which will propel economic Sustainability, political awareness and social consciousness and of which these are indices to development and nation building.
What is your message to Nigerians about the coronavirus pandemic?
My message to Nigerians is that covid-19 is real we should stay safe, follow the lockdown rules and regulations and also abide by the principles of the NCDC of social distancing, washing of hands etc. Above all with God almighty on our side we shall overcome, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
