By Chiedu Uche Okoye
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has eulogized the writer-king, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III), describing him in superlative terms with laudatory epithets.
He poured encomiums on Igwe Iweka when he attended the 2025 Obiora/Iwaji Obosi festival, which took place at the Obosi township stadium on October 25.
Governor Soludo, who doesn’t speak with a forked tongue, praised Igwe Chidubem Iweka for his scholarly achievements and possession of leadership qualities.
“He is the chairman of the Anambra State traditional rulers’ council; a very capable one and well-educated.
“His selection as the chairman of the Anambra state traditional rulers’ council was based on merit.
“And he is a celebrated and award-winning author,” Soludo said.
Gov. Soludo encouraged Obosi people to keep on promoting and protecting their cultural heritage as culture defines a people, saying that Obosi culture is unique.
“Your culture is unique; it is a unique one.
“So I want to encourage you to keep on celebrating your cultural practices because they define you. And Obosi is an ancient kingdom.
“I am congratulating you on this auspicious occasion of Obiora/Iwaji Obosi festival.
“Keep it up. Our culture must not die. Long live Obosi kingdom; and long live Igboland.
Igwe Chidubem Iweka, alongside his stunning wife, Igwe Nwanyi, Kosisochukwu Iweka, hosted the 2025 Obiora/Iwaji festival at the expansive Obosi township stadium.
Her Royal Majesty, Kosisochukwu Iweka, is Igwe Iweka’s dependable helpmate, who completes him, and assists him, tremendously, to carry out his day-to-day royal activities.
More so, Igwe Iweka described Obiora/Iwaji Obosi festival as a period that is marked by the existence of peace among the Obosi people.
Additionally, he said that it’s a period when we express thankfulness to God for blessing us with plenitude of yams and other farm produce, which would herald our eating of new yams.
“Obiora celebration is not only about new yam, but it is, also, about peace. When we are celebrating new yam festival; we are also celebrating peace.
“So before thinking about engaging in a fight; think about the fine you will pay for fighting,” Igwe Iweka said.
During the event, Igwe Iweka gave a chieftaincy title of ‘Okosisi na-eje mba’ to Gabriel Omojere whom he described as a friend of Obosi.
“He is my son in whom I am well pleased. And he is a big help to Obosi. He holds Obosi dearly in his heart. Therefore, today, I am crowning him “Okosisi na-eje mba’ of Obosi,” Igwe Iweka said.
As the event wore on, many groups, who were bearing gifts, went to Igwe Iweka to do obeisance and pay homage to him.
Among the groups were the Umuezeagu Royal Family, the kindred Igwe Iweka descended from; and the Eric Anyamene Foundation, which has gained fame for offering scholarships to brilliant children from poverty-ravaged homes.
Cultural dance groups, Age Grades groups in Obosi, and the Agbalanze Obosi thrilled the people with their displays.
Important dignitaries that attended the event were the socialite, Oni of Ife, Oba Onitan Ogunwusi; the Etsu of Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; former DG of NAFDAC, Dr. Ornih; former Minister of Aviation in Nigeria, Chief Osita Chidoka (Ike Obosi) ; former member of the House of Representatives,who represented Idemili North and South Constituency, Hon. Ifeanyi Ibezim; the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 Presidential election, Mr.Peter Obi; politician and former Nollywood star, Bobmanuel Udokwu; Obosi Development Union (ODU) President General, Barr. Chimezie Obi; a coterie of Anambra State traditional rulers; and others.
Chiedu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
