By Princess Stella-NJemanze
On June 24 , 2024, the esteemed Oha of Owerre announced the beginning of Oru Owerre to end July 18, 2024. The declaration was supposed to usher a period of love, happiness, thanksgiving, and appreciation for all our blessings. The announcement started weeks of appreciating and celebrating our ancestors and forefathers for their protection throughout the year. I remembered celebrating several Oru Owerre with my late dad,HRM,Eze Alexius Anumaku NJemanze and uncles before leaving for the United States. It was fun.
In 2010, during one of my trips home, I visited my late uncle, HRM Emmanuel Osuji Njemanze, Ozurigbo V of Owerre in his palace like I always did during my trips to Nigeria. We talked about everything including the importance of Oru Owerre for Owerre Nchi Ise. He then informed me that Oru Owerre was also sometimes referred to as “Oru Eze”. As I was getting ready to leave, my uncle handed me a typed booklet and he told me to read it at my own spare time. He then told me the booklet was a summary of Oru Owerre and its importance. I still have that booklet,till today.
When the declaration of Oru Owerre is done by Oha Owerre, there are certain ceremonies like burials, fighting, and disorderly conducts that are forbidden during the period. Fines are levied by Nde Oha on any violator(s) of our peaceful and loving period. Oru Owerre is the pride of Owerre Nchi Ise. It is meant to celebrate our departed ancestors, forefathers, and fathers, thanking them for a great year. It really hurts to see videos of our youth fighting and hurting each other during Oru Owerre sacred period. Umu youth in Owerre please stop!. Umu Nnem, why are we fighting and killing one another? What are the benefits of disrespecting the most sacred period in our history? Owerre Nchi Ise youth, I am pleading for peace, love, and happiness until Oru Owerre is celebrated. What is going on in Ala Owerre, today, I can assure you I have never seen in my life.
I have received several calls from Owerre Nchi Ise citizens asking me about my promise for peace in Owerre if they voted for His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, last November. Nde Owerre did as requested, they voted. To all of you, I say just be patient with our Governor, for better days are coming, soon. Ala Owerre will never be the same or at peace until the rightful DNA tested Njemanze son from the second generation is crowned and seated as Ozuruigbo to handle these issues. The Governor of any state cannot oversee the day to day activities and needs of each community. The Ozuruigbo of Owerre can. Paramount ruler works hand in hand with the Governor and we can HOPE for a better and prosperous tomorrow.
His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma is tasked with a big and complicated assignment that requires a lot of time and patience. He is tasked in the recovery of Owerre Lands stolen by the rich and famous in Imo State. This Governor has not forgotten my campaign slogan of “Owerre Needs Hope and “Vote Governor Uzodinma for Peace”. I stand by my promise and hope the Governor will bring peace to Owerre Nchi Ise by returning our community back to what it was before the previous evil regime that divided us.
Governor Hope Uzodinma, since his first day in office, has been undoing and correcting all the wrong and oppression caused by the previous regime. He has given back more stolen and confiscated land to the original owners, more than any Governor. He has reversed some of the executive orders and horrible policies from the administration before him. He took the job of land commissioner to protect land owners and return our stolen lands back to us. We are grateful. We, the members of Owerre Nchi Ise both home and abroad applaud our Governor for fighting to recover and return our stolen lands. It is indeed a difficult and time consuming task, but we have “HOPE”.
My governor, most of the stolen lands belong to the Njemanzes, and you can never find a better partner and helper than the Ozuruigbo of Owerre to help you and direct your efforts. The whole world knows the Njemanze family was disrespected, molested, and mistreated by the previous administration. Our Njemanze dynasty that dates as far back as the 1800s was ripped from our family, destroyed, and desecrated by one man. My Governor you spent your first term in office delivering justice to the oppressed and now the same job continues in your second term in office. As a traditionalist you know the Igbo culture does not allow Governors and Presidents to appoint a traditional ruler for any communities. You know it is very wrong and uncommon. Owerre gods are not very happy as we are witnessing a lot of sudden deaths in our villages. Nde Ichie (our forefathers) are also angry and will
continue to fight our battles. Today, it is the Njemanze dynasty being destroyed; tomorrow it might be yours by a rogue Governor. His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma, you must fix this problem before you leave office.
The mistakes of the previous administration with Balkanization, needs to be corrected immediately, so the paramount ruler who will be DNA tested will be installed like in Kano State. If Kano State understands the importance of preserving history by returning the crown to the rightful owner, I think the same should be applied to the Njemanze dynasty. We are only fighting for what we know is ours and all the history books in the world contains a paragraph or two of the Njemanze dynasty. We are the Njemanzes of Owerre and we know ourselves. Thank you for preserving our throne by refusing to recognize anyone that was not DNA tested as the Ozuruigbo VI of Owerre.
There is a vacancy for Ozuruigbo VI of Owerre created by the death of HRM Emmanuel Osuji Njemanze, Ozurigbo V of Owerre. The Ozuruigbo of Owerre is the father of the five compounds, who is fully respected, and can rule his community very well. Owerre Nchi Ise has disappeared from the world map because of Balkanization. We have lost our respect in the surrounding communities, the country, and the world.
My Governor, Owerre Nchi Ise is patiently waiting for peace and love to return to our community. Balkanization is dead in Owerre thanks to you for realizing that the actions of the previous administration was wrong. Some of the appointed Ezes are reportedly not original members of the communities they serve. They were implanted by a rogue Governor. Owerre needs peace and Balkanization needs to go.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Orlu and Okigwe Council of traditional rulers for firmly supporting your solid promise to Owerre Zone via your Charter of Equity. The Njemanzes abroad support you and please; any Njemanze that opposes your Charter of Equity needs to immediately go to the nearest DNA testing site and prove he is a full blooded Njemanze. Please, ignore all the Njemanze noise makers for they are making noise with a “borrowed last name”. They are not part of us.
DNA is the answer currently in Imo State and Nigeria as a whole. No one should be afraid of DNA test, if you know your heritage. Please, show us your saliva. To all the Imo State traditional rulers (dragged to court) sued, we are highly recommending our PortHarcourt Attorney, Sir Cosmas Enweluzo who is a damn good Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and has all our DNA and needed documents to win your case. No REAL Njemanze should be afraid or refuse to do a DNA test when challenged. So, ‘who ever took the Royal father’s to court’, get ready for your DNA test if you really need to win the 5 billion Naira Lawsuit against the Ezes. DNA please!!!!
As for me and my household we shall continue to serve the Lord and we are also DNA tested. My mother’s wedding picture and our DNA results confirmed we are 100% full blooded Njemanzes. Our Attorneys have the records. To the so called Njemanze elders that called us adopted, no one can save you from a DNA test. My brother (Charles) is ready to appeal his defamation lawsuit to the Supreme Court, if DNA testing is excluded from the verdict. So, you all get ready.
I remain as always, Stella Anumaku Njemanze- Neboh
(The People’s Princess)
