It was jubilation glore on Thursday as the newly elected traditional ruler of Ogugu Ntu-Egbenese, ancient Kingdom of Awgu local government area of Enugu state, Igwe Aloysius Chigozie Ogbonna, was presented with certificate of recognition by the Enugu state government.
This put to an end all crises that had dogged the kingship stool that made it linger for years without the community having Igwe.
The newly crowned king will, however, be presented with the staff of office in the presence of all at the Ogugu community in due course.
The ceremony took place at the Enugu state Ministry of Rural Development, Local Government Matters and Chieftaincy Affairs was a memorable occasion for the community that has not had Igwe for over 25 years after the former Igwe died.
Presenting the certificate of recognition to the royal father, the Enugu state Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, expressed joy that Ogugu has thus gotten a traditional ruler after many years, adding that peace would now reign in the community.
Ogbodo who represented the state governor while congratulating the Igwe urged him to be of good character and respect the laws of the land and the customary code of conduct of the community.
In his reaction, the newly crowned king expressed his gratitude to the state government and said “On behalf of Ogugu people, I thank Gov. Mbah that after 25 years, we now have a king to rule Ogugu. I have a dream to see that Ogugu will know that they have an Igwe. I’ll attract investors that will invest in Ogugu and give jobs to our youths by building industries.
“I have come to serve my people. I am a sports man and I’ll reach out to the person that contested with me. I am going to reach out to everyone. I want peace to reign in Ogugu,” Igwe Ogbonna promised.