By Ikechukwu Odu
NSUKKA—-The traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, HRH, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu, on Tuesday, assured his subjects that his reign would be for the benefit of the people.
The monarch who code-named his palace as “the People’s Palace,” assured the subjects that he would respect the strong and protect the weak, adding that he intends to effect both human capital and infrastructural developments which would put his community in the world map.
The monarch who has already built a multi million naira food bank in his Palace, said the programme was borne out of the need to feed the weak and elderly who can no longer fend for themselves, adding that at least 100 people would enjoy free meals from the bank on a daily basis.
He made the statements during his coronation ceremony which was attended by the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and the Attah of Igalla, HRM, Alaji Opaluwa, at the Edem Ani community.
He said “Let me start by thanking the Almighty God, the giver of life and power, for making this day a reality. To Him alone be all glory and honour forever and ever. Amen. In loving memory of my late dad who left this world on the 2nd of December, 2022, I pray that his gentle soul rests in peace. Amen.
“Today is indeed a great day in my life and that of my family. It marks the end of many years of consultations, planning and sleepless nights… This journey started seven years ago when God laid in my heart the need to find a platform that will enable me connect with my people more closely in order to impact them more positively. My coronation as Igwe today is a culmination of that dream. I therefore most sincerely appreciate my people- the people of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom for finding me worthy of their trust to be their Igwe.
“My dream for Edem-Ani people is that of a community where there will be love and harmony among the people; and where the son of a nobody can become somebody some day. My Palace is called the People’s Palace because my reign shall be for the sole benefit of the people. I will run an open door administration, and I will listen to you. The strong will be respected and the weak must be protected. My vision for a Food Bank Programme, the first of its kind in Enugu State is borne out my desire to ensure that the weak and elderly who can no longer fend for themselves are fed and cartered for. My target is to feed about 100 people daily.
“My developmental vision for the community is in two folds. The short-term and long-term vision. In the short-term, I intend by the special grace of God to continue to provide succour to the needy and sick members of the community through sustained financing of the community hospital at Ozalla/Ubogidi Village.
“To ensure that the community is properly secured, there will be an immediate reorganization of the Neighbourhood Watch to enhance efficiency and I will equip them for the emerging security challenges in the community such as armed robbery, banditry and kidnapping,” he said.
The monarch equally pledged to embark on gradual but sustained solar electrification of the remaining villages in the community, adding that he would further his youth empowerment scheme by liasing with stakeholders to initiate programmes which will lift youths in the community out of poverty, drug abuse and crime. He equally pledged to continue the sponsorship of Edem-Ani sons and daughters for further studies abroad.
The visibly elated monarch equally said “In the long run, I will continue to plead with government to ensure that Edem-Ani Ring Road is asphalted. Our amiable Governor has already made a promise in that direction and we trust him to fulfill it before the end of this administration. By the special grace of God, my reign will put our community in the world map and our community will be heard globally. I will leverage on enormous contacts home and abroad to continue to attract worthy developmental projects to this community,” he equally said.
Leading the pact of those who gave goodwill messages to the monarch, Governor Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, the Attah of Igalla, and the Adada General Assembly, led by its global Chairman, Lazarus Ogbonna, among others described him as God-sent and prayed for his peaceful reign on the throne.
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