Honour for a Homeboy

For his contribution to his community, a business tycoon, Athanasius Egwim was recently honoured by 79 traditional rulers in Imo State, writes Bennett Oghifo

For Athanasius Egwim, the Managing Director of Thasious International Company Limited, a freight forwarding company based in Lagos, honour came from home recently. His kinsmen, who he has done so much for turned out in large number to appreciative his contributions to their well –being. It was indeed a day when drums were rolled out to honour their own.

It was a day the people of Mbaise,

Imo State, comprising three local governments namely, Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte Mbaise  installed him as the Onwa Nagbara Oha (The moon that shines for all) of Mbaise and crowned his wife, Joy as Nwanyi Chimereze of Amumuara Mbaise.

The double chieftaincy title for the Egwims was a rare one in the annals of Mbaise history. It was the first time the whole traditional rulers of Mbaise numbering 79 under the aegis of Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, jointly and unanimously decided to confer on one person the title of Onwa Nagbara Oha of the whole of Mbaise.

The day started with the installation of Mrs. Egwim as the Nwanyi Chimereze of Adakam Amumara. H.R.H. Eze Ositadinma Nwokocha described Chief Joy Egwim as a pride of Amumara Community, a good ambassador of Amumara who has touched lives in so many ways, stressing that no honour done to her will be too much. It was followed by traditional dance displays and congratulations from friends and well- wishers. This was to set the mood of the day as the convoy proceeded to the CKC sports centre Okpofe, Ezinihitte Mbaise where a carnival-like atmosphere had built up. Mrs. Egwim later joined her husband at his installation as Onwa Mbaise.

The significance of the moon in shining for everyone without discrimination has made the title of Onwa Nagbara Oha, (The moon that shines for everyone) a revered title not given carelessly except strictly by merit in Igbo land. Onwa in Igbo language means moon. The moon is generally referred to as friendly, non discriminatory, shining for everyone’s benefit whether black or white, old or young, man or woman, rich or poor. So to be described as onwa is simply being referred to as a non-discriminatory fellow.

In crowning the Egwim as the Onwa Nagbara Oha of Mbaise, the Chairman of Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness, Eze Chidume Okoro, Ugo Amano of Obohia chronicled the contributions of Chief Egwim to the welfare of Mbaise people.
“Chief Egwim as everyone will agree with me is one person who has demonstrated that wealth is not the amount of money you have or control that makes you a rich man, but the number of people you are able to touch positively. He has not limited his magnanimity to his people of Okpofe alone, neither has he limited himself to Ezinihite Mbaise where he comes from.

“It is important to emphasise that the decision to confer on Chief Egwim the title of Onwanagbara Oha of Mbaise is a collective decision of all Mbaise traditional rulers comprising all the 97 Ezes in the three local government areas that make up Mbaise nation. This title is based on the contribution of this illustrious son of Mbaise to the welfare and development of Mbaise ,” he said.

According to him, Egwim’s contributions include his education foundation that has given indigent students the opportunity to further their education, the building and donation of electricity projects to communities in Mbaise, the reconstruction of schools in Mbaise, donations to important public institutions in Mbaise at various times, provision of employment opportunities to Mbaise people.

Indeed, currently, more than 50 Mbaise sons and daughters are under his employment.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Chief Uzodinma Nwala described the occasion as remarkable because “it is the first time the title of Onwanagbara Oha Mbaise is being conferred on any Mbaise son collectively by the whole traditional rulers in the three local governments that make up Mbaise. It is a title that is rarely given and when given, it not only carries a lot of respect, it carries a lot of responsibilities also. It means that the territory of the holder of this prestigious title has been expanded to include the whole of Mbaise. It means Chief Egwim can no longer limit himself to Okpofe his Community, he can no longer limit himself to Ezinihitte, his local government, the entire Mbaise comprising the three local

In his own speech at the occasion, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (MON) said it did not come to him as a surprise that Chief Egwim was being honoured. “For those of us who have followed the activities of Chief Egwim, those of us who are close to him, this honour did not come as a surprise. He is the pride of Mbaise. That is why I will always be around whenever he is doing anything, he loves Mbaise with passion. Recently, precisely in September, I was in Lagos to commission an edifice he built in Okota, Isolo, Lagos. Every Mbaise person should be proud of him”.

Hon. Ihedioha described Chief Egwim as “a very good friend and the pride of Mbaise.” He admonished the youths and other Mbaise people who are well to do to emulate the selfless nature of Chief Egwim. Stressing that the welfare of Mbaise people should be uppermost in the minds of every Mbaise person, he said wealth is nothing if not spread for the benefit of many. No matter how much you have in the bank, if people are not feeling your impact, the money is worthless.”

Tags: Life, Life and Style

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