There was jubilation in Owerri, Imo State capital, last weekend, when the Chief Priest of Owerri, Reginald Nwakom Ejiogu, was officially unveiled to the admiration of Owerri people.
The Chief Priest was also officially designated as the Spiritual leader of Owerri people.
The event took place at Oha Owerri Hall.
Ejiogu’s unveiling and presentation was carried out by elders of Owerri, popularly called Nde Oha, and was witnessed by prominent indigenes of Owerri such as Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Security, Dan Okoro, Traditional Ruler of Umuodu- Umuihugba community, Eze Analyn Nwaneri, All Progressives Congress, APC Owerri Federal Constituency candidate, Hon CDB Wiliams, President General of the community, Soronnandi Unegbu, among others.
Part of the duties of the new Owerri Chief Priest, is to intercede between the people and the ancestors of Owerri people.
Ejiogu came to limelight when he issued an ultimatum to the management of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, AIFCE, Owerri, to appease the gods of the land over the killing an ancestral python, referred to as a deity.
He had on July 4, 2021, unveiled the Ihu Ala Owerri, an ancestral shrine, as part of measures to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Owerri people.
“Our ancestors are not dead. They are not demons. They are in our DNA and we will not allow the extermination of our culture. Abroad, the white people preserve their fore bearers” the Chief Priest had said after unveiling the ancestral shrine.