Concerned sons and daughters of the Awka Ancient Kingdom in Anambra State, alongside supporters of Igbo cultural heritage, have condemned the state government over remarks perceived as undermining the chieftaincy title conferred on Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The title, “Anyanwu N’Awalu Ora” (The Light of the Community), was bestowed on Odumegwu-Ojukwu by His Imperial Majesty, Obi Dr. Austin Chukwuezugo Ndigwe, MON, JP, Ezeuzu III of Awka, late last year, in recognition of her contributions to Ndigbo and the nation.
However, the Anambra State Government recently disclaimed the conferment, labeling the traditional ruler as an “impostor” and the title as “fake.”
Reacting, representatives of the Awka people, through Prof. Emmanuel Obi, criticized the government’s actions, saying they undermined the sovereignty of Awka’s traditional institutions and represented an overreach into matters exclusively reserved for the community.
In their statement, the group emphasized:
“First and foremost, the traditions, customs, and cultural practices of Awka are not subject to the whims of state bureaucracy or political expediency. These are sacred elements of our identity, passed down through generations, and they remain the sole domain of the indigenous sons and daughters of Awka.”
They added that Ezeuzu III was “unanimously elected and crowned by the Oha Awka, the Ndichie, and the broader community in a process that reflected the collective will of our people,” and that any attempt to discredit his leadership “is an insult to our autonomy and a dangerous precedent that erodes the foundations of Igbo traditional governance.”
The statement further hailed Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu as “a distinguished daughter of Igboland, widow of the eternal Ikemba Ndigbo, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and a symbol of grace, resilience, and service,” insisting that her title remains “valid, honoured, and celebrated by those who truly understand and value our traditions.”
The group urged Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and his administration to retract statements discrediting the title and respect the decisions of the Awka people, warning that continued interference risks “alienating the people it claims to serve and inviting unnecessary conflict.”