From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
An Ebonyi philanthropist, High Chief Boniface Okpete on Sunday bagged two chieftaincy titles following his humanitarian services in the society.
High Chief Okpete, a Lagos-based businessman was crowned by his people as the Enyi Waa Uzo I of Alibaruhu in Ndiebor Ishikeke Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Ngboejiogu, the neighbouring community to Okpete's town also crowned him as the Enyanwu I of Ngboejiogu at his Alibaruhu Ishieke country home in Ebonyi LGA.
The traditional ruler of Ishieke Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Solomon Iboza Adum decorated High Chief Okpete as Enyi Waa Uzo I of Alibaruhu Ishieke while HRH Eze Godwin Eje, the Okeagu II of Umuezeaka Ngbo decorated him as Enyanwu I of Ngboejiogu on the same day.
The President of Oha Izhi Nnodo in Ebonyi State, HRH Eze Sunday Nkwegu Oketa used the opportunity to present a certificate of another Chieftaincy title to High Chief Okpete as Okaa Obvuru Uzo I of Izhi Land - the chieftaincy title bestowed on him at Lagos State by the members of the Izhi Traditional Council.
Eze Oketa described Okpete's chieftaincy titles as meritorious ones. He also defined Okpete as a child of destiny while commending his outstanding impact on building humanity. "Evil people can't be given a chieftaincy title or crowned as a king in Izhi land," Oketa added.
It was gathered that Okpete has constructed many roads in his community and even linked them to other communities in the Ebonyi Council Area like Ngboejiogu in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to Prince Livinus Nwodo - the Regent of Ndiebor Ishieke Autonomous Community, High Chief Okpete also has empowered over 100 people, and about 35 of them are from Alibaruhu Ishieke.
"He has drilled six hand pump boreholes, and in the recent time, shared over 350 Phantoms of wrappers to widows, with cash gifts and assorted motorcycles distributed to the youths.
Uniting his voice, the Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA in Ndiebor Ishieke Ward, Joseph Egede popularly known as Omeruoha explained that Boniface Okpete started his business from scratch at Lagos State but has touched lives in mega style.
Egede noted that "Okpete had trained many graduates from his scholarship scheme, with many people he groomed up in his business lines, now doing well on their own in different cities across the country."
In an interview, the Chairman of the occasion and President-Elect of DAES Lagos State - Chief Innocent Nwangbo, the Ebonyi North Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress - Barr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the President of the Izzi Youth Forum - Comrade Ben Nwovu, the Ezeoha I of Ebonyi LGA - HRH Eze Augustine Nwego, the first Vice-President DAES Lagos - Chief Clement Nwego, Chief Mrs Felicia Nwota, Chief Lazarus Eze, a Lagos based Legal Practitioner - Barr Simeon Nwuguru, among other stakeholders congratulated High Chief Okpete and advised him to sustain the tempo, saying the future beckons upon him for greater responsibility.
High Chief Boniface Okpete had earlier at the Alibaruhu Ishieke village square, where was crowned by his people, promised them to continue championing programmes that would promote love, peace, unity and progress among themselves.
The coronation together celebrated with house warming pageant was honoured by the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki Government Area - Hon Stephen Ebere Nwogba, his Izzi counterpart - Hon Steve Emenike Nwamkpa, the PDP Candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency - Rt Hon Victor Aleke, PDP Candidate for Ebonyi North West State Constituency - Prince Obinna Iteshi, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Mineral Resources - Chief Chris Uchaji, the traditional ruler of Izzi people in Lagos State, HRH Eze Cyprian Mbam Nwekee, Lecturer at Ebonyi State College of Education - Dr Elias Nwigwe, among different guests from academic, business, political and religious classes.
Recall that High Chief Okpete's wife, Lolo Adanna Okpete was equally crowned as Osodiyaneme I of Alibaruhu Ishieke during the occasion and the former Coordinator of Ebonyi Development Centre, Uchenna Igwe was the Chairman of the planning committee.
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