Ebonyi State Stands Still As Amuzu Coronates Eze - Ajali III
The pull and allure of culture was felt at its best in Ebonyi State on Saturday, 25th November, 2023. The whole of Ebonyi State and environs emptied herself into the open field of Community Primary School Amuzu along the Abakaliki - Afikpo expressway. The occasion was the coronation of Chief Francis Nwankpu as the traditional ruler of Amuzu autonomous community and Eze - Ajali III of Amuzu.
Following the passing of Ezeogo John Aloke, Eze - Ajali II, in 2020, the traditional stool of Eze - Ajali of Amuzu autonomous community has been vacant. The imperative of filling this crucial gap led to the election of Chief Francis Nwankpu Ujebe as the Eze - elect of Amuzu autonomous community on Saturday 7th October, 2023. That election and other royal protocols culminated in the coronation which attracted dignitaries from the political class, bureaucracy, business constituency, clergy, academic circles, traditional institutions etc from the state, other parts of the country and outside Nigeria. The occasion which was chaired by a former town union president of Amuzu autonomous community who is the Director of Finance and Supply of Ebonyi State Ministry of Health, Chief Boniface Awoke, attracted the chairman of Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers, Ezeogo Charles Mkpuma (Ezeburugbala III); the Senator representing Ebonyi Central District who sent an emmisary, Hon. Chinedu Ogah who was represented by Hon. Chinedu Nwali; officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters led by the Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State on Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Chukwuma Ujebe; the members representing Ezza South and Abakaliki South state constituencies, Hon Friday Ogbuewu and Hon. Victor Nwoke; Chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area, Hon. Euphemia Nwali; and the management of Federal Science and Technical College, Amuzu led by the principal, Mr. Uche J. Others include a deputy director in Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki who doubles as the National Vice-chairman of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor; former chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area, Hon. Joseph Egede; a retired permanent secretary in Ebonyi State, Chief Elias Nwanga and a host of others.
In a vote of thanks, a director of Medical Services in Ebonyi State Ministry of Health who doubles as the president of Amuzu Town Union, Dr. Emmanuel Nworie, on behalf of Amuzu autonomous community, expressed sincere thanks to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State for making the coronation possible. He equally pledged the unflinching support of Amuzu autonomous community to the Nwifuru administration and thanked God for the vindication of the governor by the recent Court of Appeal judgement.
The new traditional ruler of Amuzu autonomous community, Eze Francis Nwankpu Ujebe, a building contractor, was the pioneer town union president of Amuzu autonomous community. His coronation has ended the protracted royal vacancy in Amuzu autonomous as well as the high profile contest into the office.