The Palace of the first Eze Igbo in Lagos who was crowned in 1977, recently had her first general meeting of year 2024. The meeting unveiled the Corporate Affairs Commission’s registration certificate for the Ozioma Traditional Association INC.
The meeting started with a prayer session led by Pastor Patrick Ahamisi after which members feted with Chief Chukwudi Okafor aka Chidex, whose birthday falls on that same day.
The traditional prime minister of the Palace, Onowu Victor Samuel—Okpani, revealed that the first meeting for the year marks the official opening of meetings for the current year 2024, and it is meant to keep members abreast of events especially the successful registration of Ozioma Traditional Association with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria which is top of the meeting agenda.
His Royal Highness Eze Onyeozioma, Dr. Sir Jossy Egwuatu, the first Eze Igbo Lagos state, who was the convener, in his speech, frowned at the disunity and power tussle in several associations that are supposed to be a vanguard for helping the teeming youths and indigents amongst them. But they have all occupied their time battling against each other for power and position.
“It is sad to see that Associations formed about 20-30 years ago, to benefit her members are not thinking of the way forward but some people have chosen to fan embers of commotion, and struggle for power, position, and money. Tell me, how an association can stay 30 years and not have a track record of noticeable achievements, “the Eze queried.
Continuing, he said, “All these deeply grieve me and I thought of remedy, what can we do to reverse this ignoble trend? We want to use the Ozioma Association to change the narrative. This Ozioma is a new direction that will return us to proper means that will benefit the people and it is for the entire members of the association”
The different arms that would be used to help members include Ozioma Humanitarian outreach, Ozioma Traditional Marriage Initiative to champion successful marriages including old couples and new ones, and mediation in marital disputes.
Other arms include Ozioma Ventures and Ozioma Cultural Group, which will have a stand-by cultural troupe.
Hon Chief Mrs Ngozi Chinwuko JP, the head of the women’s wing, in her brief speech; advised everyone to be law abiding in the state because being an offender of any law does not know ethnicity and it is even very wrong for some people caught at the wrong side of the law to use it to fan ethnicity.
”I was caught because I am an Igbo person “, she, however, assured the women that no member of the group would know hunger.
While appreciating the group, Chief Sunday Udeh, the President of Igbo Speaking Community praised Eze Josy, for his foresight and dedication to good things and went down memory lane. He praised the Golden Ladies group and traced their origin way back to the office of the Igbo Speaking Community when he was about to be honored with an award.
He noted that the selected women members mobilized to accompany him to the event were seen by HRH Eze Jossy who described the beautifully attired women as looking like Golden Ladies.
Chief Udeh encouraged the members to pay particular attention to the day’s prophecy that no member of the palace would labor in vain.
Chief F C Obih, Ugoabata, the National President, Market Leaders Association of Nigeria praised the Golden Ladies and tasked them to put Igbos in Lagos in prayers even if it will take them to go to Prayer Mountain. He also encouraged every member of the Palace to discover their different gifts and put them to good use.
Hon Obinna Ugwu while commending HRH Dr Jossy noted that of all the different Palaces that he has visited, he is yet to see anyone to be compared to Ozioma Palace. He therefore encouraged them to keep up their good deeds.
Hon Tony from Bariga pointed out that HRH Eze Jossy is a man who fears God and so he is convinced that the Royal father cannot lead his people astray. He prayed to God to grant him more years on earth in good health to continue his good deeds to his people.
