By Uzo Ugwunze
All roads led to Agukwu Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, as Mrs Ijeoma Obiegbunam, wife of a business magnate, Oba Ifeanyi Obiegbunam, (a.k.a. Akaekpuchi Onwa), was conferred with a Chieftaincy title of Iyom ‘Ugodiche’, by the Otu Odu society of the community.
Speaking during the conferment, the head of the Otu Odu women society in the community, Iyom Ifediche Chizoba Nweke, disclosed that the Otu Odu society is the highest women society in Agukwu Nri and the entire Igbo land.
According to her whoever that is accorded this honour must live by example and avoid acts capable of dragging the image of the Otu Odu society to the mud as failure warrants severe sanctions.
She told newsmen that, “You have to be a responsible person because this is the highest position of women. You have to live an examplary life and be humble. This honour is meant for quality women and not for rift rafts
Earlier in his speech, husband to the newly conferred Iyom Ugodiche, Oba Obiegbunam, expressed satisfaction with the honour accorded to his wife stating that it is a title well deserved.
He thanked God for a day like this and described it as one of his happiness days in life as he sees his wife being honoured by the highest women society.
In her response, the wife who thanked God for the honour done her recalled that when she got married she never thought of becoming a member of the Otu Odu society until it downed on her that it is a cultural society meant for quality women.
“It is not just a society meant for every woman but women of honour who stand by the truth and display humility. Two things are necessary in this Otu Odu society, one is to value culture, that is to uphold the culture of the Igbo race and the second one is to reach out to people.
“One has to prepare for this title taking because it involves a lot of things including financial involvement. I continue to thank my husband, Oba, Akaekpuchi Onwa because without him this ceremony would not have been a success. He showed me that he is with me and that I should carry on,” she disclosed.
Among those present at the occasion included, both incumbent and immediate past Presidents General of the community, scores of Ozor title men and Otu Odu women, relations, friends and well wishers.
Highpoint of the occasion was dance by the newly conferred Iyom ‘Ugodiche’.