It was a moment of jubilation and joy in Obiukom Ututu Autonomous Community, Arochukwu Abia State as HRH, Eze (Hon) Mandela Arunsi Okereke was coronated as the Obi Obiukom II.
Speaking shortly after the coronation, HRH Eze Hon Mandela Arunsi Okereke said he was excited that the people have chosen him to be their traditional ruler, adding that he will use his wealth of experience and contacts to ensure even development, peace, love and stability of the community.
He noted that the community members and stakeholders will be carried along in the development process, stressing that no man knows it all. He stressed that he will not take for granted the love and acceptance of the people of the community.
In his remarks, the traditional prime minister of Obi Obiukom Ututu Autonomous Community, Chief John Ifere Okore hinted that the journey of getting another Eze after the demise of HRH, Eze Okoro Kalu Ogbonnaya who died in March 2018, having ruled for 17 years started on 30th December, 2019, when the community members elected HRH Eze Hon. Mandela Arunsi Okereke as their new monarch. He posited that since 2001 that the autonomous was created, the coronation was the first of its kind with large turnout of personalities from far and near.
The traditional prime minister described Eze Okereke as a leader, a go-getter, a man whose heart is full of love, adding that he has been a man prepared to carry his people along in everything he does to ensure that peace reigns supreme in the community. He urged all and sundry to work with the new Eze and the Ugoeze, Elder Mrs Lucy Okereke to develop the community. The coronation ceremony took place at Ututu Central School, Amodu Ututu.
It will be recalled that after the election, the staff of office was presented to HRH Eze Hon Mandela Arunsi Okereke on the 17th June, 2021 by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State. Eze Okereke established the Amodu Ututu Development Union, Lagos branch in 1978 and Owerri branch in 2019, he served as the Chairman of Owerri branch of Ututu Development Association for three years, he was former councilor of for Ututu ward in 1997 under Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN).
He later became the vice chairman of Arochukwu Local government in 1998 after the death of the chairman.
The highlights of the coronation ceremony was the conferment of chieftaincy titles by HRH Eze Okereke to twelve deserving sons and friends of the community who pledged to continue to support the community to move forward.
The chairman of the Coronation Planning Committee, Chief Chinemere Ogbonnaya thanked God for a successful ceremony, while saying that the event is the best ever recorded in the history of the community, especially that sons and friends were conferred with chieftaincy titles.
He urged everyone to continue to pray for the new Eze for strength and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the community.
