The Oligbo Royal Palace, Issele-Uku has again agog with the traditional coronation of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Chukwudumebi Rosemary Ezeagwuna as the Anasi-Obi of Oligbo Kingdom.The cultural event which was performed by the Akamu of Issele-Uku, Chief Okafor Nwadiei was witnessed by both the old and young flooded the palace to catch a glimpse of the age long tradition and custom of installing the kings wife to be officially and publicly identified as the Anasi-Obi of Oligbo kingdom.According to Prince Moses Mgbanwa who explained the symbolic meaning of Ichi Anasi-Obi, he said, after the coronation of Obi of Oligbo Kingdom, his wife, in this case the first if there were others, is expected to also go through a coronation process called Igwu Ekwu.The Igwu Ekwu rite is performed on the Anasi-Obi by the Akamu title holder at the Ezi Nnekwu (The residence of the Obis wife). She is traditionally crowned (Ibe Ejije Ukwu) before she is then presented to her husband the king and then her co-wives in the royal family.It was an eye opener experience as the Akamu of Issele-Uku, Chief Okafor Nwadiei, accompanied by Prince Egbo Ijei, Uche Mgbanwa and others diligently wore the Anasi the royal beads to the admiration of onlookers.She was thereafter led to greet her husband the king, HRM Obi Ezeagwuna II, her family people from Ogboli and then the co-wives within the Umueze Issei royal family. Praising the Queen Mother with royal accolades, the Ogodilieze of Issele-Uku, Chief Emperor said that Ife wemeli Eke ka waemeli Anasi.He prayed for the Anasi-Obi, wishing her the wisdom to pilot the affairs of women in the kingdom and other traditional functions as customarily spelt out for her office in the palace and community. Meanwhile, in his efforts at promoting academic excellence amongst students of Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), HRM Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso (JP), OON, Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, has promised cash awards to best students of the institution.The traditional ruler, whose promise was contained in his address shortly after he was conferred with a Honoris Causa of Science during the maiden convocation of the University on Tuesday, promised a cash prize of N50, 000 for the best graduating petroleum engineering student per session for 10 sessions and another cash prize of N100, 000 for the best overall graduating student per session for 10 sessions and that the cash awards will commence from 2016/2017 academic session.To show his passion for education, the monarch disclosed that on ascension to the throne, nine years ago, he constituted an Education/Scholarship Administration Committee which has offered scholarships to many indigent students of Uvwei origin, including non-indigenes residing in Uvwie and that an Hausa/Fulani born female resident benefited from the scheme right from primary school to the university level.
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