UMUNEDE-DELTA STATE: Umunede Kingdom in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State recently came alive in a spectacular display of tradition, culture and communal pride as Chief Obiazukwo Oyo Egbede was formally installed as the Onyenwe ihia of Umunede, amid pomp, pageantry and deep-rooted ancestral rites.
The historic ceremony attracted a massive turnout of indigenes, traditional rulers, community leaders and guests from within and outside Delta State, transforming the ancient kingdom into a vibrant centre of cultural celebration.
The installation was presided over by the Obi of Umunede Kingdom, His Royal Highness Dr Ezeagwu Ezenwali, JP (Obi Agadagidi), who was accompanied by his wife, Her Royal Majesty Queen Tonia Ezeagwu, members of the royal household and the Umunede Council of Chiefs.
All were elegantly adorned in resplendent traditional regalia, reflecting the dignity, prestige and solemnity of the occasion.
Activities commenced with a colourful and symbolic traditional dance procession from the Egbede family house along Hospital Road in Ileje Quarter, culminating at the Royal Palace in Umunede.
The cultural procession, which covered a distance of about five kilometres, was led by energetic drummers, praise singers and cultural dancers, whose rhythmic beats and chants echoed through the roads and Umunede market square, announcing the emergence of a new custodian of an ancient title.
At the heart of the jubilant procession was Chief Obiazukwo Oyo Egbede, who danced intermittently to the admiration of the crowd, acknowledging cheers, blessings and goodwill from residents and visitors alike.
He was accompanied by his wife, children and siblings, as well as members of the Egbede and Ogbeohu families, the Ileje community, friends and well-wishers. Their collective presence added colour, warmth and excitement to the historic walk, turning it into a moving symbol of unity, continuity and shared heritage.
At the Royal Palace, traditional rites were performed strictly in accordance with the customs of Umunede Kingdom, formally ushering Chief Egbede into his new role as Onyenwe ihie of Umunede. Prayers were offered for wisdom, long life, peace and prosperity, both for the newly installed chief and for the entire kingdom.
In his address, the Obi of Umunede charged Chief Egbede to uphold the values of integrity, humility and selfless service, reminding him that traditional titles are not merely honours but sacred responsibilities to the people and the ancestors.
A Germany-based businessman, Chief Egbede is widely respected for his entrepreneurial accomplishments and commitment to community development. He is the Chairman of the Ika Association, Berlin, a platform through which he has consistently promoted unity, welfare and cultural identity among Ika indigenes in the diaspora.
He is also the Chairman of C-4 Hotels, Umunede, one of the notable three-star hospitality establishments in Delta North, which has contributed to employment generation and local economic growth.
The installation carried deep historical and emotional significance for the Egbede family.
Chief Oyo Egbede’s late father, Chief Ikechukwu Egbede, who passed away about 29 years ago, was the former Onyenwe ihia of Umunede, having received the title from the late Obi Nwachukwu Onyeagwu in the early 1980s. In recent times, reports emerged that some indigenes had expressed interest in the title.
However, guided by tradition and respect for ancestral heritage, Chief Obiazukwo Oyo Egbede consulted extensively with his family and elders and affirmed his resolve to preserve and retain the ancestral title within the Egbede lineage.
Following the palace ceremony, celebrations shifted to the Ijehon Primary School field, where a grand reception was organized in honour of the newly installed chief.
The venue was transformed into a carnival of music, dance and festivity, as cultural troupes, musicians and entertainers thrilled guests with performances that showcased the rich cultural tapestry of Umunede Kingdom and the wider Ika nation.
The reception attracted an impressive array of dignitaries, including traditional rulers, community leaders, captains of industry, politicians, business executives, scholars, youths and representatives of various social and cultural associations.
Goodwill messages poured in, with speakers extolling Chief Egbede’s humility, generosity and proven record of service, while expressing confidence in his capacity to contribute meaningfully to peace, development and cultural preservation in the kingdom.
Among the distinguished personalities present were the Obi of Akwumazi Kingdom, the Obi of Otolokpo, chiefs from neighbouring communities, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Ozma Nigeria Limited, Chief Andrew Emeri, the Onyedozihie of Umunede and his wife, Controller (Dr) Uche H. Ngozie (rtd), the Chairman of Dominion Hotels, Umunede, the Director-General of the Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA), Hon. Anthony Elekeokwuri, PhD, Chief Ambassador Augustine Aghaulor, the Igirigi of Umunede Kingdom, Chief Benson Iyama, the Eleme of Umunede Kingdom, and several other prominent personalities.
The installation of Chief Obiazukwo Oyo Egbede as Onyenwe ihia of Umunede was widely described as more than a personal milestone; it was a reaffirmation of tradition, continuity and communal harmony.
For the people of Umunede, the occasion served as a moment to celebrate their cultural heritage and look forward with hope to a future anchored on unity, cultural pride and responsible leadership.
