Traditional gun salutes, an array of powerful holders of the stakes, colourful women of virtue, young undeterred minds, sumptuous meals, and befitting gifts were in affluence, yesterday, Thursday, August 4, 2022, as Okagelode – Chief Innocent Ugo Chima, welcomed his son and in-law – the Honourable Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Candidate of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to his country home, Echara, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
In a statement by Leo Ekene Oketa
, Chief Press Secretary to the Honourable Speaker, the royal composition of the event offered an insight, firstly, to the quality of the man – Okagelode. Little wonder he was described by Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru as a compendium of everything noble, everything respectful and a leader of his people. On a second stance, was the discernment of the man of the moment, the next Chief Servant of the State, come May 29, 2023, an unassuming leader, for whom the floorings rolled out in royalty – Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
It was not the Oke Aku Festival Day of the Ezza Nation, but a celebration of the Festival by Chief Innocent Ugo Chima, one which he observes annually, to the good cheers of his people. In his speech of welcome, the three-time Member of the House of Representatives lauded Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru as a true son of Ekumenyi, the one in whom he is well pleased. He observed that given the dots of history, it is the rightful time for an Izzi man to pilot the affairs of Ebonyi State and that he’ll ensure that Ezza Nation delivers their votes for him one hundred percent.
Same understandings were echoed by other stakeholders of Ezza Nation who were in attendance, in the persons of Rt. Hon. Victor Uzoma Chukwu (Leader, Ebonyi State House of Assembly), Engr. Ken Eze (Chairman Ezza South Local Government Area and All Progressives Congress Senatorial Candidate for Ebonyi Central) and Mrs. Euphemia Nwali (Chairman-Elect of Ezza South Local Government Area), amongst many others.
Responding to the rousing celebration, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru commended his host, Okagelode, for according him such epic reception, characterized by beautiful cultural imprints. He praised the honesty and hardworking prowess of the Ezza people, making points of reference to some of his closest allies, Rt. Hon. Victor Uzoma Chukwu, Hon. Barr. Linus Friday Nwuhuo, Mrs. Euphemia Nwali and very importantly, his host, Chief Innocent Ugo Chima. Speaker Nwifuru reminded them that as the election year approaches, it is vital for the Ezza people to know that they’re brothers, sons of Ekumenyi, a call to love and dedication to the course at hand. He charged them to be of the best conducts and ensure they give him their votes, as he will not disappoint them.
It was, indeed, a two-pronged serving occasion, that featured political consultations and celebration of the Oke Aku Festival of Ezza clan by Chief Innocent Ugo Chima. Other dignitaries who accompanied the Honourable Speaker included Barr. Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi (All Progressives Congress Senatorial Candidate for Ebonyi North), Hon. Godwin Abiri (All Progressives Congress Candidate for Izzi West State Constituency), Hon. Goodluck Obinna Mbam (All Progressives Congress Candidate for Izzi East State Constituency) and many others. The secretary of the Ebonyi State Forum of Founding Fathers, Dr. Boniface Chima, was on hand as well, to welcome the Honourable Speaker.
