Encomium
HIS Serene Highness, Chukwudinigbo Agwuna is the son of first class monarch, Eze Enugwu-Ukwu na Igwe Umunri, His Royal Majesty Ositadinma Agwuna, who joined his ancestors in May 2007, after ruling his domain for 50 years!
Now, the regent of Enugwu-Ukwu, the Akaji Ofo Nri and Mkpume Azaoku, Chukwudinigbo, in this exclusive interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Thursday, September 4, 2014, addressed the controversies trailing the succession to the landmark Nri kingship, blaming it all on the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi.
The wealthy mogul and cultural aficionado, who also unveiled his business, family and socio-political leaning, equally revealed things many never knew about Igwe Osita Agwuna whom he said is yet to be accorded full burial rites as Nri custom and tradition demand (the majority of the Igbo trace their ancestral origin to Nri, Anambra State).
Historically, the Nri monarchy dates back to the 11th century. In fact, it is a concensus that the majority of Igbo trace their origin to your ancestors. How does it feel to be so recognized?
It feels great, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities because people would always ask you about their source. Where I come from, which is Enugwu-Ukwu, vast majority of Igbo trace their ancestral origin to Nri. And Enugwu-Ukwu being the descendants of the first son of Nri, has that responsibility. People always come to ask us questions. But you know for selfish and political interest, most people don’t always like to say the truth.
The United Nations has its world heritage sites; the National Museum also recognizes some ancient customs and traditions. Has the Nri-Igbo cultural heritage been accorded this recognition by authorities?
Of course, we have the National Museum of Arts and Monuments here. Nri is documented worldwide. In fact, the history and story of Nri is taught in universities here in Nigeria and outside the country. So, it’s not controversial.
When exactly did your father die?
In our tradition, we don’t say an Igwe is dead. He only joined his ancestors. That was in May, 2007. We are hoping he would soon return (smiles).
Are you your father’s only son?
No. I have an elder and a younger brother.
We learnt there are controversies surrounding your father’s throne as regards who succeeds him?
There are lots of controversies. As we speak, there are about six pending court cases in relation to the throne. Incidentally, I’m not the plaintiff. The truth is that what is being contested in court is that Igwe Osita Agwuna has not been given his full burial rites. We have not sent him back to his ancestors. He is still in transit and until he is accorded full traditional burial rites, there wouldn’t be another Igwe (monarch). Whatever I’m doing now is still on my father’s behalf. That is why whenever I sign any official document, I sign it for His Royal Majesty, Igwe Osita Agwuna III. You won’t see my name there. The Igwe is still there. I’m only representing him as a regent.
When then is he going to be given his full burial rites?
The matter is still in court. And I wouldn’t want to preempt the court. But I’m sure all the knotty issues would be resolved before the year runs out, at worst next year.
How are you officially introduced?
I am His Serene Highness, Chukwudinigbo Agwuna, Akaji Ofo Nri, Nkpume Azaoku.
What is your father’s title?
His Serene Majesty, Osita Agwuna Eze Enugwu-Ukwu Na Igwe Umunri.
Please, tell us more about the Agwunas.
The Agwunas are direct descendants of the first son of Nri. Nri is the father of Umunri clan. The clan is made up of four autonomous communities. They are Enugwu-Ukwu, Nawfia, Agu-Ukwu and Enugwu-Agidi.
Are you polygamous?
Not at all. Like my father, I have only one wife. My grandfather also had only one wife. I don’t have to marry 10 wives because I am Igwe. My father has a saying, you cannot love two women equally at the same time.
We don’t know if you can introduce your wife and children to us.
My wife is Princess Nina Nnenna Agwuna (nee Okpe). That’s the daughter of Captain August Okpe.
How long have you been married?
I met my wife in July 1993 and we got married on December 27, 1995. We are blessed with three children, two boys and a daughter.
How would you describe your wife?
She has been quite supportive and understanding. She knows what it means to be married to a man in my position. Expectedly, she represents me well on all fronts. I’m proud of my lovely wife.
You are a businessman?
Of course, I am. I’m a contractor. I work with FERMA, Federal Courts and INEC. I am MD/CEO, Mkpume Global Services Ltd. There is also Igwe Igbo and Co Limited. I am equally into oil and gas. I have Pump Petroleum and Gas Limited, Kings Gate Hotels and Towers, among others.
What would you remember your dad for?
Igwe Osita Agwuna is one of the founders of modern Nigeria. But unfortunately, Nigeria as a country is hostile to history. I don’t mean Nigerians, I mean Nigeria. Go back to history and remember the Zikist Movement. There were just few Zikists – Okoye, Herbert Macaulay, Barrister Nduka. These people formed the Zikist Movement. They wanted a name and Zik was the most popular name then. Zik was not a member of Zikist Movement. It was like what we did with Kanu Nwankwo Heart Foundation. We started it without him. We were only using his name. He was aware but he was not part of it. But today, he has gained more than some of us. You can’t hear my name or Paul Okoye (the founders) mentioned anywhere. So, that was what happened in those days. Osita Agwuna gave a lecture on October 27, 1948. It was entitled A Call for Revolution. He was arrested, tried and imprisoned. During his trial,he was advised to plead with government so as to be freed, but right there, he challenged the judge. He bluntly told the Nigerian judge he was struggling to improve his life. It was not a mean feat. My father was imprisoned. He served three years and six months in Lagos and Kaduna Prisons. His case is cited in all law courses today even in Law Schools, Rex vs Osita Agwuna. It is not only in Nigeria, it is cited in all Commonwealth states till tomorrow. But that Osita Agwuna lived and died in Nigeria without any street named after him. It is unfair. There is no national honour from the Federal Government. That’s why I said Nigeria is hostile to history. My father served the longest jail term as a political activist, freedom fighter and nationalist.
So, you are calling on the Federal Government to immortalize forgotten Nigerians who fought for the nation’s independence?
Yes. I met President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2011 at State House, Marina. We were about 15 that went to see him. The only thing I told him was, Your Excellency, I lived in America for nine years, a friend of mine told me there are two countries in the world, the United States of America and the others. I told him he is the only candidate for the presidential election, but I advised him to do what no Nigerian president has done before by immortalizing those who fought for the country’s independence and other heroic personalities. I also mentioned it during my last New Yam Feast. There are a lot of them. Most of them died in poverty. There was no recognition. You are all eulogizing Nelson Mandela. The Nelson Mandela which you have here, what did you do for him?
It is a sad story. Something should be done even if it’s posthumously. Some claim their fathers were nationalists because they were ministers. But people who suffered for our independence were not adequately recognized. They are different people. Take T. O. S. Benson, for instance. He became famous because he gave Zik free legal services. That was how he became a politician. Nothing more. He was not a nationalist. TOS Benson offered free legal services to Zikists. In the case of my dad, he said he didn’t need it. So, he went to jail for three years and six months.
You recently celebrated the New Yam Feast. What’s the significance of this tradition in Igboland?
The story of New Yam Feast is shared among the Igbo. Many ask why we celebrate yam. It happened to be the first food crop God showed to Nri. It is its appreciation that is being passed on from generation to generation. So, the New Tam Festival is not fetish.
How was the August 23, 2014 New Yam Feast?
It went very well with prominent Nri sons and daughters as well as eminent Nigerians from all walks of life in attendance. We also used the occasion to flag off awareness campaign for President Goodluck Jonathan. It s tagged Jonathan 2015.
It then suggests you are among some eminent people of the South East who want Jonathan back in 2015?
I’m one of his main supporters. Sometimes we cry for change, but if you are not changing for the better, there is no need for change. For us, Jonathan has done well. He is still doing well. We are all for continuity. Let’s first stabilize this democracy and take it off from there. Despite Jonathan’s challenges, he has not really disappointed Nigerians. He has a record of many firsts I don’t need to go into. Let’s give him another chance.
You are very popular in your domain?
It is not just about Enugwu-Ukwu (Nri). To be modest with you, I’m the most popular community leader in the East of the Niger. I challenge you to go to any part of Igboland and mention Mkpume (that’s his title), somebody would recognize me. Even in some parts of the country. It is a blessing from God. Sometimes you wonder why people just like you. It is not as if I share money at public functions. Between 2007 till date, I have attended over 500 events in various communities across the nation. And no traditional ruler or leader in Nigeria can boast of that. It is not possible, I can say it anywhere without fear of contradiction.
Sir Ralph Obumnemeh Ekpeh is still parading himself as Eze Enugwu-Ukwu and Igwe Umunri having been recognized by the Anambra State Government…
I will tell you why that happened. When my father passed on, there was a little problem in my community. My father was like a big umbrella and when he joined his ancestors, some people saw me as a threat. Their fear is that another offspring under the umbrella would also be like his father, who was upright. Many people are destabilizing forces and would never want progress to take the centre stage. Osita Agwuna doesn’t believe in you taking your neighbours land or wife because you are richer or more influential than him. People don’t like that. My father never associated with any shady business or deal. So, some people didn’t know I was under the umbrella. Now, they are fighting me. But the truth is they won’t succeed. They are fighting somebody who is not fighting them. I’m not in court. They are the ones in court. You took me to court when an Igwe that ruled you for 50 years has not been sent home in line with our customs and tradition. I then approached the court asking them to suspend everything about my father’s succession until all the matters connected to the throne are sorted out. The judge then gave an order which was also served the then governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, and the State Attorney General but they all violated the court order. That is a mockery of our justice system. So, as I’m talking to you whoever is parading himself as Igwe is doing it illegally. So, he doesn’t have our people’s support, I have not mentioned anybody’s name. I can tell you with authority that 90 per cent of our people don’t recognize him.
If you call yourself a leader and nobody is following you, you are just taking a lone walk. You needed to come around when I did my New Yam Feast. It was a carnival when he mimicked the same event weeks later, you could count the number of people who graced the occasion. You wouldn’t see about five per cent of our community at the function. I always tell people that government should not get involved in traditional institutions because the people know who deserves a traditional office. You can’t impose a leader on people. You only support their choice to avoid enmity, violence and needless strife and war. I don’t have anything against anybody parading himself as monarch. Peter Obi is to blame.
Your dad ruled for all of 50 years. At what age did he become a king?
He was in his 30s. He passed on at 87.
Can you please share with us your academic background?
My primary education was at Orabuike Primary School, Enugwu-Ukwu, from there I proceeded to Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School; then the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu. I moved to London where I spent two years. I later went to America to study Business Administration at NYC University.
-UCHE OLEHI
