Imo Awards: Arthur Obieze showcases his works.
3 min read
Uba Umuaka born community leader and cultural revivalist, High Chief Arthur Obieze has reacted to the controversies generated last week over his inclusion as one of the receivers of state sponsored merit awards held in Rockview Hotels Owerri by Imo newspaper Limited recently.
It can be called that two weeks ago, Umuaka Times published a report titled, Imo Awards: Ogbonna Disagrees with Obieze, Ikwubuo. In the publication, Barrister Victor Ditto Ogbonna questioned the rationale used by Imo Newspapers, publishers of the Nigerian Statesman newspapers to bestow the honourable awards on High Chiefs Arthur Obieze and Eddy Ikwubuo respectively. In his arguments, the due of Obieze and Ikwubuo have done nothing in Umuaka or Njaba LGA to merit the award either respectively or collectively.
Chief Arthur Obieze last week reached out to Umuaka Times to showcase all he has done in and outside Umuaka that qualified him for the award. In his words, he wrote, “I am High Chief Arthur Obieze, the paramount ruler of Umuezikeukwu village in Uba Umuaka. NwaNyere_Ugo 1 of Umuaka Ancient Kingdom, Olowona Ikaleland and the Okwadike 1 of Ezikeukwu”.
Chief Obieze described himself as one of the financial pillars that brought High School Umuaka that is currently at (Hilltop Primary School).He also confirmed to Umuaka Times that he was among the top donors who financed the drainage system around the new Umuaka Relief Market. He cited the former President General of Uba Umuaka community, Chief Maxwell Kelechi Ezike as his prime witness.
Perhaps the biggest social work Chief Arthur Obieze has done in Umuaka was the donation of a car to St Mary’s Church Umuaka. When Umuaka Times published the story two years ago in a report titled, “Why I donated a car to St Mary’s Church,” Chief Obieze painted a graphic picture of his motivation to do so. Umuaka Times captured the scenario thus: “Prominent Akalite and a Lagos based business man; High Chief Arthur Obieze has explained why he and his family donated a car to St Mary’s Catholic Church Umuaka. High Chief Obieze in a recorded message he sent to Umuaka Times explained that as a Lagos based businessman, he has been contributing a lot of resources to the Catholic Church in Lagos where he lives while his first church where he was born and baptized had received just a little from him. For that reason, Chief Obieze according to his message, decided to be focusing on St Mary’s Catholic Church which he described as his root because charity begins at home.” He also disclosed to Umuaka Times that he had also donated church pews (long church bench meant for sitting down).
Outside Imo State, Chief Obieze has played a prominent role in preserving and promoting the culture and integrity of the state as a cultural ambassador; he has acted as a former chairman, Culture, Custom and Tradition of Eko Onibaje International Yam Festival Lekki Lagos. This is a yearly festival where the Igbo citizens in Lekki Lagos celebrate the famous new yam festival.
Umuaka Times also learnt from Chief Obieze that he was one of the biggest donors who financed the Umuezikeukwu Town Hall before Chief Emmanuel Igbokwuwe took the project and completed it. He also confirmed that he was among the prominent men of his Umuezikeukwu community who financially assisted the community in the purchase of shops at the Afor Umuaka Market.
In his conclusion, High Chief Arthur Obieze described himself as a catalytic High Chief of Obiato Council of Chiefs and late Eze Ojinnaka’s Cabinet member. While asked to describe himself, Chief Obieze disclosed to Umuaka Times that he is a pillar of social developments both in Umuaka and Lagos, Peace Ambassador and many more others.
