As we coronate our Udemeze today, let’s reflect…
By Chief Emele Onu
Today, April 4, 2026, we open another chapter in the history of Ohafia ancient kingdom. It is the coronation and eventual reign of His Royal Paramountcy, Ezieohamoha, Elder Awa Orji Udonsi as the Udumeze of Ohafia kingdom.
As traditional Ohafia people upto 2026, we share a common ancestry, dwelling in 26 communities with distinct traditional rulership encapsulated in Ezieogo-in-Council. The “Ohafia Council of Monarchs’’ is lucid expression of the collectivity – the traditional institution for the 26 communities. In the meetings of the monarchs, the Udumeze has a paramount status, assigned the highest ranking and authority, as epitomised by his title, Ezie Ohamoha.
Why does it matter?. The Udumeze, just as Ikpirikpe ogu, Ekpe, Akpan and the rest are our traditional symbols for unity, maintenance of law and order and for bringing development to our environment. Conventionally, the Udumeze is the highest symbolism in the hierarchy. If the stool is revered, as our central authority, embodying the other symbols, our identity, culture, spirituality and aspirations, we’re bound to do better as a people and a clan.
Governments, states and federal, look for exalted thrones to elevate the occupants to higher class traditional rulers, making them a part of the political administration. Besides, such rulers by virtue of the aura around them are able to mediate in conflicts and restore stability to a community. They’re things fragmented authorities or despised traditional institutions can’t give. The closest kingdom to us, has a smaller population, a smaller number of villages but about the same rich cultural heritage and history compared to us, yet the Eze holds a most prestigious position of authority and ranked among the highest monarchs in the Southeast, if not in Nigeria.
I am not making a commentary about Ezie-Ogo or being a government-supported traditional ruler. This is a personal opinion, seeking to persuade Ohafia people to make conscious, deliberate and decisive efforts to give pride of place to the Udumeze Ohafia stool. Many can be traditional rulers; we need one to be in a highly exalted position.
As the coronation downs today, let’s reflect on how to make the best of the reign of His Royal Paramountcy, Ezieohamoha, Elder Awa Orji Udonsi as the Udumeze of Ohafia kingdom. Great majesty lies in followership. We can achieve it.
- Chief Emele Onu, is National Publicity Secretary of the Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU)
