Last week, Kafanchan, a town in Kaduna State, came alive with the enthronement of a new Igbo leader. The ceremony was an opportunity to showcase the people’s culture.
The ever-busy Kafanchan town in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State witnessed a carnival of sorts during the formal enthronement of Chief Richard Ogbonna as the Eze Igbo II. He was installed by the Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammad Isa Muhammad 11.
During the ceremony, traditional Igbo folklores and dances were presented, to the admiration of onlookers.
Dressed in traditional attires with red caps, many Igbo residents in Kafanchan and environs thronged the palace of the Emir of Kafanchan to witness the epoch-making event.
Shortly after the coronation, the new Eze went round major streets of Kafanchan on horseback, followed by Igbo and Hausa singers, among others, in the spirit of brotherhood and oneness in the multi-cultural community.
Masquerades thrilled the crowd with spectacular displays as they gathered in various streets, up to the residence of the new Eze at the Hayin Gada area of the town, where there were more dances and other cultural displays.
Shortly after the coronation, the emir said they had lived peacefully with the Igbo community for a long time, to the extent that his late father, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Sani, included them in the Emirate Council.
PHOTOS: Ahmed Ali
He, therefore, called on other tribes in Southern Kaduna to continue to embrace peace as it is the only bedrock for social and economic development in any community. “Without peace there will be no meaningful development,” he emphasized.
The emir also called on the people, especially the youth, to come out and vote wisely and avoid any violence during and after the forthcoming general elections.
In his speech, the new Igbo chief, who is the secretary of the Kafanchan Market Traders Association, described his coronation as an honour and recognition to the Igbo community in the local government area.
He thanked the emir and his traditional council for accepting the recommendation of his predecessor, Eze Chima Okoli, the first Eze Igbo in Jema’a, who has relocated to his hometown. Okoli had named Ogbonna to take over from him.
“What you have done today confirmed that you are following the footsteps of your late father, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Sani, the 10th Emir of Jama’a, who saw the need to include Igbo, Yoruba, Nupe and other tribes in his traditional council to enhance brotherhood and peaceful coexistence,” Ogbonna said.
The new Eze appealed to his people to give him a maximum support to render quality leadership that would enhance unity, love, as well as provide an enabling environment for them to carry out their businesses.
“Igbo people are peace lovers. We are doing our businesses here in peace with all our neighbours across tribes and religions,” he added.
He also promised to carry everybody along and abide by the rules and regulations of the Emirate, Jema’a Local Government, Kaduna State and the country in general.
Some Igbo people who spoke with Daily Trust on Sunday expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have a new traditional leader in the Emirate. They called on the new Eze to show good leadership example by delivering fair judgements in matters of dispute.
Also installed as Sarkin Kabilu of Jama’a was a prominent Igbo leader, Mr. Declane Benco.
