From Chuks Onuoha, Umuahia
Mgboko Amaise community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State was in a festive mood recently.
It was the day Chief Kelly Izuwa Nwogu, a Lagos-based business mogul, was conferred with multiple chieftaincy titles at the palace of the Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Eberechi Dick.
Nwogu, a prominent investor has touched the lives of many community members in Ngwa land and beyond.
He comes from the same the Local Government Area with the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.
The conferment of the multiple chieftaincy titles was carried out by several traditional rulers led by Eze Dick.
On the appointed day, he drew into Ngwa land men and women of timber and calibre.
It was the first in recent times, when the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba would come together to crown a man over his roles and contributions to the promotion of mankind.
Eze Dick, the chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Niger State who led other traditional rulers from Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo to the event, as the royal father of the day, took the first shot by conferring on Chief Nwogu the chieftaincy title of Nwadiohanma 1 Igboland, which is interpreted to mean, a beloved son in whom the entire Igbo race are well pleased.
He was followed by other royal fathers, who also gave him their own titles in line with what Dick had done earlier.
Eze Dick, who spoke later on the title, told Oriental News that it was rare to confer such a title on anybody, saying that it was done in recognition of the recipient’s philanthropic and investment strides in and across the country, particularly in the three major tribes that make up Nigeria namely Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba.
He asked Nwogu to continue to support the state, saying that Governor Ikpeazu has been investing in the state to develop it.
He also cautioned Nwogu not to work against the political interest of the governor, saying that would not speak well of the title conferred on him.
The post-ceremony of the title conferment moved to Eldoraldo Event Centre, Aba, for the celebration of High Chief Nwogu’s birthday.
Oriental News gathered that the conferment coincideded with the 40th birthday of Chief Nwogu, as his friends, business associates from all over the country, supporters, relations and other dignitaries, gathered at the centre to celebrate him in style and share in his joy.
A highly respected Yoruba roya father, who came from far away Osun State, Oba Marouf Adekunle Baale, the Olofin of Ifo conferred on High Chief Nwogu the title of Amolodiyin while his beautiful wife, Chinwe recieved the title of Yeye Amolodiyin.
Oba Adekunkle Baale, who spoke while conferring the title of Amolodiyin of Ifo to Nwogu said that his business tentacles spread across the nation and beyond, adding that philanthropy formed the bedrock of the heavy presence of his friends drawn from all walks of life.
He poured encomiums on the High Chief, saying that “if other Nigerians can emulate the young enterprenuer in a little while the country would be industrialized and jobs provided for the youths.”
He also praised him as a de-tribalized Nigerian, who sees people of other tribes as human and not Yoruba, Hausa or Igbo.
From Ondo and Ekiti states, testimonies of friendship, love and care for Nwogu, stating flowing with all confirming that his love for his fellow humans cannot be over emphasized.
The North was not left out as the Emir of Keffi, the representative of the Etsu of Nupe in Niger State and numerous other members of staff of the Federal University of Technology, Niger State were on hand to pay their courtesy and rejoice with him.
Ostensibly elated by the multiple honours he received, High Chief Nwogu promised that he would continue in his philanthropic gestures.
He also pledged that he would do everything within his powers to develop his community, Abia and the country at large.
According to him, the heavy “presence of people from several tribes in Nigeria confirmed my popularity among my people of Ngwa nation and has become an evidence that I have acceptance and connection that cut across boundaries”.
The event featured special performance by some blind musicians who also benefited from the philanthropic fountain of Nwogu.
Also, students of Ngwa extraction in the various tertiary institutions came to show appreciation for what they had been gaining from Chief Nwogu.
Two of the students, who spoke, Miss Favour Chikwe and Geraldine Ochiobi, relived how Nwogu has been taking care of their academic careers through regular payment of bursary and other financial assistance.
The elated students said they belonged to Federated Ngwa Students Union, a body that unifies students of Ngwa students in various tertiary institutions in the country.
They poured encomiums on Nwogu for his selfless service to the Ngwa nation, while urging other well-meaning sons of Ngwa land to emulate him.
According to Geraldine, “I cannot quantify what we students have benefitted from Chief Izuwa Nwogu, he has been sponsoring our conferences and always identifies with us any time we are doing anything in school, be it convocation or matriculation,” she said.
“Once he hears that you need assistance in your education, he will dole out money to assist you. He has assisted many of our Ngwa brothers and sisters and we are very happy with him that is why we are here today to identify with his day of glory”, Miss Chikwe said.