The making of 18-year-old Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I of Ubulu-Uku

The emergence of 18-year-old Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I as the youngest Obi of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Council of Delta State has since attracted attention, not only for his age, but also bearing in mind the circumstances surrounding the death of his father, Obi Edward Ofulue III, last year.

Although he is relatively young, but he is endowed with and already exuding the wisdom and intelligence of an adult.

The youngest monarch in Delta State received the Staff of Office on Monday, September 5, 2016 by the state government and it was celebration and fanfare for a kingdom known for cultural values.

At the presentation ceremony, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by his Deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, said: “My dear people of
Ubulu-Uku, God and your agreement have bestowed on you, a new ruler.

“Despite not his youth, but offer him all due difference. Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in words,in conversation, in charity, in spirit and in faith.”

The governor, who commended the people for following and respecting the
time-honoured process of succession to the throne, appealled to them to accord the royal father the respect and understanding needed to
facilitate his duties as a dynamic and resourceful people.

Okowa appealed to the monarch to discharge his responsibilities in a transparent manner by being fair and just to all his subjects.

“As the custodian of the tradition of your people, it is important that you do not in words or action, give cause to your subjects to doubt your ability to uphold the sanctity of their
customs.

“I sincerely appeal to you to imbibe the democratic virtues of dialogue and consultation in all your dealings with the people,” the governor said.

He used the occasion to call on sons and daughters of Ubulu-Uku to take advantage of the various policies and programmes of the state government to improve on their production capacities, noting that Ubulu-Uku is well known for its abundant agricultural production and local textile industry.

The governor, thanked commended them for their continued support for the state government, also commended their various self-help efforts, assuring that all legitimate requests made would be channeled to the appropriate agencies of government for necessary attention.

Earlier in an address, President General of Ubulu-Uku Development Council, Mr. Jones Offune, recalled that Obi Chukwuka Akaeze I was traditionally enthroned according to custom of the people on February 18, this year.

He commended Okowa for the various projects sited in Ubulu-Uku, including building, rehabilitating and equipping of schools.

Ofunne, who also appreciated the governor for the tarring of some link roads in the town and equipping the General Hospital and Area Customary Court, called for the fencing of the monarch’s palace, as well as come to the aid of the community in addressing the spate of criminality, cultism, strife and hooliganism that have been foisted on the community by some people he described as “unscrupulous and disgruntled elements.”

He appealed for a textile industry to be sited in Ubulu-Uku, as the people are known for making traditional white woven cloth
(Akwa Ocha), saying such would enhance massive production of this rare fabric for local and international markets.

Ofunne, who pledged the community’s support to the state government at all times, disclosed that the community has repaired
collapsed electricity infrastructure in the town, as well as engaged the distribution company to supply energy to the community.

On his part, Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government, Chief Isaac Anuwazia, in an address, assured that the people of Ubulu-Uku are peace-loving and prepared to support the young monarch in the task of leading and directing the affairs of the kingdom.

Obi Akaeze I, in his response, pledged to ensure the arrest, investigation and prosecution of those involved in the kidnapping and murder of his father, saying they and their sponsors will be brought to book.

He assured the people of Ubulu-Uku that he would do all within his power to ensure that security is enhanced in the kingdom for the
protection of all Ubulu-Uku people and that all forms of criminality would be wiped out from the kingdom.

Obi Akaeze 1 appealled to his subjects for their support to make the kingdom grow, assuring that he would not betray the confidence reposed in him.

He added that his kingdom would continue to support the Okowa administration to attract the needed development to the kingdom.

On September 6, 2016, as cultural day in Ubulu-Uku, men and women rolled out their drums to celebrate the 18-year-old Obi, whom
they describe as Aniyemeze and prayed for his long and prosperity.

The entire Ubulu-Uku kingdom was enveloped with joy as the traditional
chiefs fired over 100 gun salutes into the air.

Following the death of Obi Ofulue 111, tongues have been wagging over who is the rightful king of Ubulu-Uku and accusing fingers pointed at different directions, especially following the claims of Chief Emma Ejieofor that the late Obi Ofulue III was never the first son of his late father.

His outburst had generated tension and palpable fear into the ancient kingdom, as he insisted that Ubulu-Uku could not crown any king without him.

But elders and of chiefs of the kingdom, especially some members of the Ubulu-Uku royal family, discountenance him and his actions and went ahead with the succession process.

The described Ejieofor’s claims as ruse, saying he was disrobed of his title as Onishe of Ubulu-Uku before the alleged murder of Obi
Ofulue III.

Investigation revealled that while Ejieofor’s claims seemingly brought division into the kingdom, the state government, through the
Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, told journalists that Obi Akaeze I was the only recognised Obi of Ubulu-Uku
kingdom, irrespective of his age.