First you must be a son of the soil, highly respected in the society with respect to your achievements all over the world, you must have integrity and have a degree of influence in the town. The extent to which the person has also contributed towards the development of the community and the country at large is also considered
Maduako Igbokwe I Friday, April 12, 2024
NENI, Anambra, Nigeria – It was a moment of glamour and celebration at the weekend when Chief Nwabude Mgbemena of Umudioka village, Neni in Anaocha local government area of Anambra state was inducted as Ozo Ezeani Nwafenna Na Neni.
Ozo Nwabude Mgbemena was conferred the prestigious Ozo Ezeanni title in recognition of his philanthropic and impactful gesture to humanity.
Ozo Ezeanni ,an Enugu based business man had in the course of his journey in life trained many people in the business of motor spare parts and touched many lives in and outside Neni town. Ozo title remains the most respected and revered title in Igbo traditional institution.
This is because the process which a person passes to be inducted is tedious . Some Ozo title holders and stakeholders made the disclosure at Chief Nwabude Mgbemena’s induction into the prestigious Ozo title as Ozo Ezeani Nwafenna Na Neni.
The event which was a beehive of activities, attracted people from all walks of life which include music maestros and cultural groups among others.
“In Igbo land, before one is initiated into the Ozo Society, such a person must be of good character, honest and straightforward at all times. An Ozo title holder is expected never to engage in any act capable of bringing his community to disrepute as he is an apostle of peace and unity.
“Ozo title is considered, perhaps the most prestigious honour in Igboland, and those holding the title are highly respected and trusted for their contributions to societal development.
“In Neni, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ozo Ezeani is the highest Ozo title which is given to people who have in many ways impacted on the lives of people in the community and the nation at large” they stated.
According to them,Chief Nwabude Mgbemena of Umudioka village, Neni, did not only merit the revered Ozo title but also went ahead to present same to the public with a ceremony called IKU OFOR which took place at the central Oye Neni market square.
During the initiation, Chief Nwabude Mgbemena , Ozo Ezeani Nwafenna na Neni was accompanied by his children, friends and well-wishers as he was received by the Ozo group including the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Damian Ezeani.
Different dance troupes, women groups including Otu Odu and Mgbemena Daughters added colour and fame to the occasion which lasted for three days.
Food, drinks, meat of all types as well as local Igbo delicacies and gifts were served to the guests including titled men and women who took their turns to pay homage to Ozo Ezeani Nwafenna na Neni who they all described as an upright and honest man .
The ceremony of IKU OFOR which is going to the market square to announce to the entire community and the rest of the world that Chief Mgbemena has been found worthy in character and practices and thus qualified to join the prestigious traditional Ozo titled group as Ozo Ezeani Nwafenna na Neni.
During the event held at the Neni town hall located at the Oye market square, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Ezeani while breaking the kolanut, prayed God to protect and guide his subjects as well as grant Ozo Ezeani Nwafenna the wisdom to always stand by the truth and fairness whenever he is called upon.
Igwe Ezeani also advised other community leaders and title holders to always strive and pray that their children will be greater than them and he also prayed that God will protect the land against all evil.
The Chief Protocol and Speaker, Ndi Nze Na Ozo, in Neni, Chief Obiajulu Ebele,( Ezeani Okenwa 2 ) said apart from looking and considering the character of an intending person, one must be married, have a house and have the financial background to undergo the process of becoming Ozo in the town which is almost the same practice in Igbo land in general.
Chief Ebele explained that once the title is taken, the Ozo holder can no longer do certain things including staying out late at night, buying items in the market, going to beer parlours and disco halls and will not attend any occasion he is not invited .
The Chief protocol of Ozo Neni while commending Ozo Ezeani Nwafwnna for surpassing the necessary screenings done before the event, noted that there were several gains and moral lessons for the younger generations to learn from an Ozo title holder like good morals, handling of communal matters, upright and fairness in dealing with people among other positive actions.
Another title holder, Chief Professor Bryan Adimma, ( Ezeani Igirigi Ebu Mkpume na Neni) explained that every other traditional title could be awarded by a traditional ruler of any community but not the same in the case of Ozo title which involves serious screening ot a son of the soil and finding him worthy with respect and integrity.
Professor Adimma said in the case of Ozo Neni, even the traditional ruler is a member and is not in charge as it were in other eight titles that could be purchased in the community and other communities in Igboland.
“First you must be a son of the soil, highly respected in the society with respect to your achievements all over the world, you must have integrity and have a degree of influence in the town. The extent to which the person has also contributed towards the development of the community and the country at large is also considered,”he stated.
The first son of Ozo Ezeani Nwafenna, Prince Kene Mgbemena who described tradition and culture as the heritage and mark of the Igbo people, expressed great joy seeing his father taking the prestigious and highest traditional title in the area.
Prince Mgbemena ( Agunnaya na Neni) while eulogising the credible attitudes of his father, promised not to let him down but rather strive to surpass all the good things done by him.
The Second son, Doctor Nnamdi Mgbemena, while describing their father as an upright and stoic man who put in everything within his reach to better the lives of people around him, expressed joy that he was being celebrated and recognized by the entire Neni community.
Doctor Nnamdi Mgbemena who is a Physiotherapy lecturer at Charles Sturt University, Australia, harped on the need for all to join hands to retain the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo nation irrespective of location.
“Actually, it means a lot to me, growing up, we all knew my dad as a very hard working man, very intelligent, he is a businessman, and we could see all the hard work he puts in raising us up to be successful and where we are today with my late mum, we could also see how he was there for his cousins, siblings and relatives, we have gotten to that point where he felt like he needed this thing to happen , so ,it means a lot to me seeing him being celebrated, it shows more about respect, dignity and integrity as a person , for the community to recognize him means he has really done well for himself and for all of us. So we are really proud of him” he said.
In an interview, the first daughter of the celebrant, Mrs Chisom Nwachukwu who expressed happiness over the Ozo outing ceremony by their father, thanked God that they were able as his children to have the capacity to support the event which their father had always looked forward to.
The Highlight of the event was the introduction of Ozo Ezeani Nwafenna to the dance steps of Uvie traditional music as he stepped out in grand style to the admiration of the cheering crowd.
Dignitaries from all walks of life attended the ceremony while the popular highlife maestro, Ambassador Eco De Coque and his international band group thrilled the people with scintillating tunes from late Oliver De Coque.
