Odita Sunday 
Tears, Jubilation As Amawbia Finally Gets New Igwe After Five-Year Crisis
By Uche Chukwu, Onitsha
Five years after a prolonged chieftaincy crisis threw Amawbia community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State into tension and uncertainty, the community has finally crowned a new traditional ruler, Igwe Uchenna Sunday Okonkwo, popularly known as Okpaligwe II.
The colourful coronation ceremony, held at the Amawbia Civic Centre over the weekend, drew prominent personalities, traditional rulers, politicians, clerics, women groups, youth organisations, traders, and residents from across the community and beyond.
Igwe Okonkwo succeeds the late Igwe Michael Okoye, Okpaligwe I, who passed away about five years ago, leaving behind a vacuum that triggered a prolonged leadership tussle within the ancient town.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the performance of traditional rites and the formal crowning of Okonkwo by the Ezeana Ibekwe of Umukabia Village. This was followed by the presentation of the revered “Ofo Amawbia” by the Ofo title holder, Akajiofo Nze Dr. U.S.A. Aghanya, on behalf of the Ezeoye family of Ezimezi Village.
Picture shows Igwe Uchenna Okonkwo in a public outing after his coronation.
The Head of Ozo Society in Amawbia, Onyeisi Ozo Emmanuel Okoye, alongside other Ozo title holders, participated in the traditional rites marking the transfer of authority to the new monarch.
Speaking on the significance of the Ofo during the coronation, Akajiofo Dr. Ikenna Nkem Aghanya, also known as Ochiagha Udo Amawbia, described the Ofo as a sacred symbol of peace, justice, truth, equity, and fairness.
According to him, the handing over of the Ofo signifies the recognition and certification of the new monarch by both the people and government.
“With the crowning by Ezeana-Amawbia Ibekwe from Umukabia Village and the giving of the Ofo by Nze Dr. USA Aghanya of Ezeoye family, it signifies transfer of full authority, peace, fairness, equity, and justice. It means the Igwe was elected credibly and must rule with the fear of God,” he stated.
Picture shows Ndi Iyom Odu Amawbia led by former Women Affairs Minister, Iyom Josephine Anenih (sitting right)
He urged the people of Amawbia to unite and support the new monarch in order to restore peace and development to the community.
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye, who attended the ceremony, congratulated the new monarch and described him as a man deeply rooted in Igbo culture and traditions.
“The new Igwe has an agenda to develop Amawbia,” Oye stated.
Also speaking, former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, said the monarch’s political neutrality would help unite the community and accelerate development.
A retired academic and counsellor based in Houston, Texas, Professor Christie Okoye (Nee Nnamah), expressed optimism that the coronation would mark the end of communal conflicts and divisions within Amawbia.
Similarly, the Sarkin Hausa of Amawbia, Alhaji Sani Mahmud, congratulated the monarch and pledged the support of the Hausa community residing in the town.
He described Amawbia as one of the safest and most peaceful communities in the South-East region.
Earlier in his address, the President-General of Amawbia Town Union (ATU), Chief Chukwudi Odumodu, recalled that the process of selecting a new traditional ruler began in 2021 but was delayed by court cases, disagreements, and personality clashes among contestants.
Picture shows the Leader of Hausa Community resident in Amawbia, Alhaji Sani Mahmud, Sarkin Hausa Amawbia (middle on red cap) leading his subjects on homage to Igwe Uchenna Sunday Okonkwo, Okpaligwe II)
According to him, the process suffered another setback following the death of one of the contenders, Ozo Dan Maduka, before the eventual emergence of Igwe Okonkwo during the December 2025 selection exercise.
Odumodu added that Governor Chukwuma Soludo later presented the new monarch with a Certificate of Recognition earlier this year.
In his acceptance speech, Igwe Okonkwo thanked the people of Amawbia for their support and pledged to lead with wisdom, peace, and fairness.
“I understand that this call to take up the crown is a call to lead, not to rule,” the monarch declared.
He promised to uphold the customs and traditions of the ancient town, protect lives and property, and unite Amawbia people both at home and in the diaspora.
“My doors will be open to everyone. I will lead with ancient wisdom. I will tap from the wisdom of the elders, mobilize the energies of the youth, and inspire Amawbians in the diaspora to think home like never before,” he added.
The ceremony was attended by several traditional rulers, including the Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi, Igwe Peter Anugwu of Mbaukwu, and other monarchs from across the state.
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