It was an atmosphere of overwhelming happiness in Eziachi Community of Orlu Local Government Area Imo States as Nze Arc.Achugo Uche Enoch received Nze Okwaranwanedo na Eziachi. The President General of Eziachi Ancient Kingdom, was traditionally bestowed with Nze Title .
Fielding questions from newsmen, at his palatial home in Eziachi after he was finally capped by leadership of Nze in Eziachi led by Hon. Nze Ihezuo Nnamdi, JP, Okaa ebute uzo, head of Nze Eziachi as well as head of Nze Ebe na asa na Orlu, he described the process of Conferment of the title and the experience as remarkable and memorable.
Filled with gladness, Nze Achugo, who is a lecturer at Imo State Polythenic and a Senior Technologist said; ” I am grateful to God, is like one ordained as a Rev. Father,. I am glad, I am now an Nze, you can see what I spent here today, I have passed through the process and completed it. It’s not a child’s play. The title is for descent people not for fraudsters, those who dupe white men, kidnappers, if you have questionable wealth is not for you’.
Explaining the superiority and more dignified position of Nze over Chieftaincy titles in Igbo land, he noted that it is common for any personality with questionable character,an evil person or one who keeps silent in the face of injustice to go for Chieftaincy title, but no personality with questionable character, can go for Nze TItle in Igbo land due to the sacredness of the title.
He made it clear that Nze Title holders are descent people that cannot be identified with wickedness and evil acts like killing, poisoning people, adultery dishonesty and other abominable acts in Igbo land.
His words; ” you can see my drink is open, other people’s drinks are open, no body is afraid of poison because we don’t involve in such thing. I am out of my table for a media chat with you, my drink is open, am not afraid of anything, we don’t kill, we don’t poison, is for people with clean hearts and clean hands’.
Nze Arc.Achugo, who noted how he began early to struggle at young age, admonished the general public to disregard the impressions created against Nze Title holders in Nigeria movie as wicked and evil people, saying; in reality they are not evil people, rather they are descent people and promoters of truth, justice and fairness.
Recalling how his late grandfather motivated him for the title and he followed his footsteps,he disclosed that when his grandfather was alive he was Nze Okwaranwanedo, saying; “I took after him. One day we were discussing, I asked him if I want to be Nze, will the title be bestowed on me, he said yes.This thing happened over 40 years ago. Recently; I was sleeping,he came to me in a dream and said; ‘that Nze you told me, don’t you want it again”. i said yes I want it’ what we are doing is to support Igbo culture, we have grown to meet this; we can’t allow it to go into extinction in our generation. I believe by the time we grow old we will tell our sons to come into the fold”.
Reacting to things that can compel the leadership of Nze Title holders to suspend a member, he outlined that abominable acts such as; killing, incest, and other glaring derailed acts will attract disciple or suspension depending on the gravity of the wicked and evil acts.
According to him; ‘if I had wanted to be Chief, I would have given myself certificate of approval the way I gave others during December for Chieftaincy titles, because I am the President General of my community and I have the capacity to do it for myself, but for obvious and copious reasons I chose to be bestowed with Nze Title because is more honourable and is the highest dignified title in igbo land”.
Nze Achugo, promised to live up to expectations in the discharge of his duties as a defender and promoter of culture and traditions of his people.
Speaking during an interview, Hon. Nze Ihezuo Nnamdi, JP, Okaa ebute uzo, popularly known as Orlu wu Eze, who heads Nze Eziachi and Nze Ebe Na Asa na Orlu, noted that the Nze title is for reputable personalities, adding that It has a process and immidiately anyone who indicated interest completes the process he automatically becomes Nze.
His words: “Nze title is to avoid bad things and other problematic things that will destroy peace between you and your people, don’t take your brother’s wife, avoid lies, intimidation, harassment, bribery and corruption.
Expressing more insightful views about Nze title; he stated that among all titles in Igbo land, Nze is the highest,as it has respect even in court,saying; “Nze does not remove cap in court but a Chief does. Nze cannot be given to you outside your native land, is not also given to any how person or irresponsible people. Is for true son of the soil..
Most times Nze is a lineage thing, but in some situations if someone is of a reputable character with well known and decent source of income with a good family background,he can be considered for it if he indicates interest he can be considered based on quality of his character and not on monetary. value . Good character and reputation of the family is what can be considered”.
His advice, says; “this is my 39 years of Nze,if you do things badly, ruggedly and hurriedly, you will die in a hurry. I call on any well to do youth from descent homes to help his kinsmen, come out and take Nze Title, there is nothing evil about it and anything done you have your share, is like pension and gratuity, you will enjoy the benefits until you die.
There is nothing evil or bad about the title. If one avoids all the bad things an Nze is meant to avoid he will last long. Nze should represent himself very well,let your yes should mean yes,your no,should also mean no. Be gentle and respect yourself. “
The head of Nze Eziachi, finally called on Nze Achugo not to eat in the market place as it is against their rules and do everything possible to avoid, provocation and anything that will make him to curse somebody,stating that any curse he pronounced shall come to pass.
Adding his voice, his uncle, Elder Achugo Reuben Onumajuru, acknowledged that the entire Achugo family members are solidly behind him for the tilte.
He recalled that his late father who was an Nze before he joined church also lived a descent, honest and straightforward life before he joined church and was never found wanting as a christian.
As our brother follows the footsteps of his grandfather, he was a man of decency and accountability throughout his life, My advice to him is to remain focused,don’t derail,always be on the path of truth , avoid abomination,follow the path of peace, equity, justice and fairness.
He said; “my prayer is that God who lifted him will not let him down, the strenghth of character and courage that motivated him for Conferment of Ozo title will not run dry,he will move from strenghth to strenghth”.
In the views Ambassador Chika Uju, his Nephew, ” Uche is an illustrous son of my late brother.He is hard working,believes in the dignity of labour, very respectful, a responsible and responsive family man who lives by practical example
Ambassador Uju, who stated that Nze Arc. Achugo is a man of unquestionable character,a lover of humanity with enormous milk of human kindness who loves reaching out to people both low and high, prayed God to keep and bless him more.
Speaking during a media chat Chief Nze Linus Ukachukwu Chinakaotumgadi Okwara Egwim, said he is happy kn Conferment of Nze Title to Nze Arc.Achugo,a descent son of Eziachi.
He added that Nze title is good for anyone who is desiring Ozo to come and see for himself so that you put it prayer ask God to help you come up to the standard in character and conduct and finances to fund the process
Sometimes people think that is fetish but is not, when our fathers uses to do the tradition is seen as evil, now we have grown and we go to church, obviously; there is nothing evil about it. If it is evil the maxim you don’t leave where they are holding Ozor title to where they are doing Agwu ebe ana Aru Agwu shows that is not evil.
He called on the younger generation to boldly embrace Igbo culture,they should not allow it go into extinction adding that any youth that deserves Ozo title should first be of good character,work hard to be financially balanced for the task ahead he concluded.