It was indeed pomp and ceremony in different communities during the 2024 yuletide for many ,but that of Hon. Chief Modestus Umenzekwe, Onwa Achina was unique and refreshing.
Onwa Achina got double chieftaincy titles from Achina and Amesi communities both in Aguata local government Area of Anambra State during the 2024 festivities.
He was conferred with the prestigious title names of ( Ugo Di Ebube n’ Amesi and Enyimba Achina) respectively .
For Igwe Raphael Okpalaeke (Igwe Akalabo III) of Amesi, Umenzekwe deserves more than the title of Ugo Di Ebube for all his posture for communal development and growth , even as he encouraged him not to relent in speaking against injustice.
On his part, His Royal Highness, Igwe Godwin Nnaemeka Obiora (Eze Idegwu III of Achina) who described Umenzekwe as a son the community is proud of, adding that the Enyimba Achina stands Onwa out as a testament to his unconditional service to the community.
Igwe Achina ,Eze Idegwu 111 before decorating Onwa Achina as Enyimba added that Chief Modestus Umenzekwe had already made a name for himself in the community through selfless service to mankind and patriotic service to the community aimed at nation building.
Goodwill messages were received from far and near including former Chief of General Staff/ Vice-President, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe; former Governor of Lagos state and former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; former Governor of Anambra State and former Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige; former Media Adviser to President Buhari, Mr Femi Adesina; Sen Lawal Shuaibu, and Justice O.O. Fadikpe, as well as organizations including the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council led by Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, who described the two awards as testament to Umenzekwe’s commitment and dedication to the growth and development of his community’s culture, and tradition.
Others were Nation Newspapers, Authority Newspapers, former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the UN, Chief Arthur Mbanefo; Chairman of APC, Sir Basil Ejidike (who equally graced the event ), Lady Maria Ejielo (APC state women leader), Engr Chidi Orji, Senatorial Aspirant Dozie Ikedife (Ikenga Nnewi), Ikenga Ebenebe, and Bishop of Ekwulobia Catholic diocese, Cardinal Okpaleke,, former Commissioner for women affairs Ego Uzoezie,
etc.
Notable masquerades like Ijere Achina, Agaba Nawfija, Ajofia Isuofia, etc were all in attendance.
But, it was not easy hosting guests on Sunday 5th day of January , 2025 at his compound at Nkwereoturu ,Obinikpa Achina , Aguata.
The two communities recognizing Onwa Achina”s impact and influence, described him as a man with heart of gold whose interest is selfless.
In their different speeches the Amesi and Achina community said ‘ To whom much is given more is expected and there is reward in service .
Umenzekwe in his reaction promised to uphold the tenets of the title given to him by the two communities.
He appreciated all who left their busy schedules to attend both the chieftaincy titles giving and the celebration lunch at his residence, praying for God’s blessings upon them.
Umenzekwe ‘s wife, Lolo(Mrs) Henrietta Umenzekwe (Ugoeze), described her husband as a man of the people hence she wasn’t surprised on his acceptance of the awards from his roots as an indigene of Achina and Nwadiana of Amesi.
She said she has seen him turn awards down several times in the past.
In an interaction after the honours on Hon Chief Modestus Umenzekwe (Onwa Achina) who is a Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the different venues of the chieftaincy titles on December 30th, 2024 and January 2nd, 2025, as Eyimba 1 of Achina, and as Ugo di Ebube 1 of Amesi, Umenzekwe said : “Well I feel happy, I feel great, I adore God for singling me out to be conferred with double chieftaincy titles within three days, the first of its kind in Achina, the first of its kind in Amesi, my maternal home, if not in Anambra State in general. So I see these days as special days in my life which I must not take for granted. I see it as a challenge from the two communities to do more for mankind, to do more for the downtrodden, and to use those titles for nation building, to help the youths and work for Nigerian society. That is how I feel, that is how I see it”.
At the Thanksgiving Mass, Rev Fr Patrick Chukwuma Amaobi, Parish Priest St Joseph’s Catholic Church Achina lauded Onwa Achina’s selflessness in championing the affairs of his community and others at all times, asking God to bless his more.