– Warns Indian hemp smokers to leave Emii or face punishment
The traditional ruler of Emii Ancient kingdom, in Owerri North LGA of Imo state, HRM Eze Emmanuel Sonde Okoro (Omenyi II), last Saturday celebrated his 36th year coronation anniversary.
He said God endowed him with the gifts of love, courage, patience, tolerance, endurance and wisdom and expressed his appreciation to Emii people for their support and loyalty through these 36 years, and called for unity and love for them to achieve more for the people.
He admonished parents to give good training and counseling to their children reiterating that parents should not allow their children to be used as political thugs. He warned those who smoke and sell Indian hemp to stop for stiffer punishment awaits people if caught. He cried to government for the construction of the road leading to Mgbahiri.
Eze Okoro thanked his people for the honour to be called and addressed as His Royal Majesty, saying it came at the right time. He advised the title awardees to refrain from anything that can bring shame to themselves or the community. He also thanked Governor Rochas Okorocha, HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri, Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu, Ndi Ezes, friends and well wishers, for their solidarity.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Pascal Manufor (Ezinwa I of Emii), said Eze Okoro has been mending fences, building, bridges having midwifed two autonomous communities, saying his influence is felt and brilliance, cherished.
He stated that his usual courage, eloquence, mental articulation and knowledge of traditional etiquette and protocol, set him out amongst the best as he has become an enigma. He advised the newly instituted chiefs to be fair in their judgments, courageous in pronouncements and loyal to Eze Okoro.
Emii Autonomous Community in their address described the monarch as a man of patience, tolerance, humility and magnanimity saying they are proud of him. They said he has brought peace, development pace and transparent leadership. They added that he is known for truthful and that he dispenses justice without fear or favour hence they decided to change his status to His Royal Majesty (HRH) from HRH, for the progress he has made.
Present at the occasion include Owelle Rochas Okorocha, who was represented by the T.C Chairman of Owerri North LGA, Hon. Kelechi Ofurum, HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri, (Eze Imo), represented by HRH Eze Godwin Mereni (Dibia I of Nekede), Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu (Samdaddy), who represents Owerri zone in the senate etc.
The title awardees Chief James Chinoyerem and Chief Emeka Ikegwu, in accepting their installations, thanked Eze Okoro for the honour bestowed on them. They said it will spur them to do more for the community. The officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Wence Obi, of Holy Cross Catholic Church Emii, admonished people to be kind, gentle, patient, compassionate, humble and love one another. He stated that Christianity did not condemn culture and tradition.
