By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
After communing with the ancestors in line with the selection process for installation of traditional rulers, Akuonabie autonomous community in Okwabang, Boki local government area of Cross River, recently capped seven new chiefs.
The capping of the new traditional rulers took place at Elder Bernard Arah’s compound in Okwabang where the new chiefs were crowned by Elder Joseph Kekong, in the presence of Elders Bernard Arah, Justine Obi, Christopher Obi Ebu and Benjamin Akongwube, among others.
Those capped and offered staff of office were, Otu Samuel Obi-Odua (Otu Odua the second and village head, Akuonabie), Otu Kingsley Ushi (Otu Ushi the second) and Otu Eninjah Albert Eninjah.
Others were, Otu Brown S. A. Arah, Otu Ignatius Apie Obi, Otu John Akwo and Otu Louis Ojonde Ikpo.
Chairman, Okwabang Town Council, Comrade Harrison Okwo, applauded the elders, opinion leaders, youths, women and the traditional institution for a remarkable selection process that made the day historic.
He charged the newly crowned Chiefs to remain truthful, honest and responsive in the discharge of their functions as custodians of the people’s culture and tradition.
Okwo also prayed for God’s direction and the spirit of unity and justice where no one would be oppressed or suppressed for no just cause.
Responding, Otu Odua the second, who is the new village head of Akuonabie, lauded the efforts of all those who made the day a reality, pledging that, the counsel received during the covert period which served as the traditional prerequisite for such customary roles, would be seriously adhered to by the new Chiefs.
According to him, the people of Akuonabie had yearned for a leader for long following the vacuum created by their former village head, Otu Benedict Obi Odua (KSJI), who joined his ancestors about four years ago.
Otu Odua the second further prayed for God’s wisdom, direction and noble path as they discharge their duties without bias and sentiments, promising that the new team would initiate policies and programs that are aimed at attracting development and meaningful projects to the community.
At the thanksgiving Mass held at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Okwabang, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Nobert Ganyi, admonished the newly crowned Chiefs to imbibe the culture of love, truthfulness and resilience in shouldering the tasks before them.
Fr. Ganyi who prayed God to grant them wisdom also implored the citizenry to respect and cooperate with the Chiefs, offering them useful information and never engage or influence the falsification of claims.
Community members who spoke in separate interviews, lauded the Akuonabie autonomous community for the feat, praying that the vacuum created by the demise of the overall traditional ruler, Otu Gregory Okwo, be filled in no distant time as the community cannot afford to remain without a Chief for over a decade.
The event featured kingly procession, a display of cultural dances, goodwill messages and exchange of food and drinks in line with the customs and traditions of the people during such festive period.
