The auxiliary bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo has asked the traditional ruler of Udi ancient kingdom His Royal Majesty (HRM) Sam Aneke to see his ascension to the throne as a call to service.
Speaking during Pontifical Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Pro-cathedral, the auxiliary bishop urged the traditional ruler to discharge his new responsibility without fear or favour and asked him to see all indigenes of Udi as his subjects.
“Udi ancient kingdom occupies a special place among the other kingdoms in the South East, Nigeria.
“You are, therefore, lucky to have been chosen as a man to sit on the exalted traditional throne of the Udi.
“Your educational qualification, operational exploits, and social connection have placed the people of Udi in the right track”, bishop Obodo said.
While speaking the traditional ruler had appealed to the indigenes of the town to join hands with him to restore the lost glory of Udi ancient kingdom.
He equally appealed to the politicians from the town to be united, irrespective of political party affiliation, in order to attract government attention and infrastructural projects to the town.
Igwe Aneke stated this on Monday during his coronation as the Okwuluoha IV of Udi ancient kingdom.
He expressed deep gratitude to the people for finding him worthy of sitting on the traditional throne and promised to work towards uniting them as an indivisible entity.
According to him, the community would not witness much development and progress if it does not speak with one strong voice.
Igwe Aneke pledged to collaborate with the state government and wealthy individuals from Udi town to ensure that youths were empowered economically through job creation.
The traditional ruler lamented that many youths and able-bodied men in the community were largely unemployed, saying he was worried about the development.
“I see the election that brought me as the voice of the people saying one thing. In fact, it is more of endorsement.
“I will ensure that the peace existing in the town is sustained by all means. There should be equity and fair play; I will make sure that everybody enjoys his or her right in this town.
“One of my priorities as the traditional ruler of Udi town is to ensure security of lives and property, which I consider very important,’’ Aneke said.
The retired Customs officer vowed to serve the town wholeheartedly by maintaining peaceful co-existence among the people.
In an interview, a prominent son of the community and chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Mr Ugochukwu Agballah described the coronation as a dream come true for the town.
While noting that Igwe Aneke was the people’s choice, Agballah revealed that Igwe Aneke was the first in the history of Udi to emerge unopposed as her traditional ruler
He promised to galvanise support of other indigenes of the town to support the traditional ruler succeed as the Okwuluoha IV of Udi ancient kingdom.
