Behold Obi of Ubulu-Uku

A great wave of joy surged through the entire Ubulu-Uku kingdom in Delta State, as 17-year-old Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I was Installed as the king of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state, following the death of his father, Obi Akaeze Edward Ofulue III, who was kidnapped and subsequently murdered last month by unknown gun­men. But as it turned out, young Chukwuka eventually exulted the throne of his fathers.

The new monarch, who assumed the name of Obi Akaeze1, is actually a youth, who will become 18 years old later this year and he had to take time off his schooling in Britain, to undergo the coronation ceremonies because the Ubulu-Uku monarchy succession line is from a father to his first son.

The gentle late Obi Edward Akaeze Ofulue 111 was laid to rest in the special cemetery that is exclusive to Ubulu-Uku kings; a day after his son had assumed his rightful position on the throne. In the presence of Umu Obi (members of the Ubulu-Uku Royal family up to the fourth generation) and the influential Umu Oxim people (descendants of past kings of the town from the fifth generation onwards) and the respected Council of Chiefs, the new Obi was crowned, amid fanfare.

According to the Chairman of the Coronation Public Affairs Committee, Mr. Tony Eluemunor, “the deep mourning, which had enveloped the Ubulu kingdom almost all January this year, as their immediate past king, Obi Edward AkaezeOfulue 111 was kidnapped early in the month and was found dead 18 days after, had continued till the ascendance of the new Obi. Even as his former subjects will miss him and pine for him, joy has come into Ubulu kingdom, as the youthful lad, Chukwuka Noah Ofulue, became the Obi Abgogidi, the Obi Agu (the lion), the Obi Akaeze 1 of Ubulu Kingdom,” he said.

Though just a youth, the new Obi has assumed his position in the great circle of life at a ceremony attended by prominent Ubulu-Uku citizens, including the Aniocha/Oshimili constituency representative at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon (Mrs) Onyemaechi Mrakpor, the chairman of Anio­cha South Council, Mr. Isaac Anwuziaand other high government officials.