Umulolo Ugbele celebrates as Chief Gab Obi asends to father’s throne.

On Saturday, June 7, 2025, the Umulolo community in Ugbele Akah Autonomous Community, Njaba LGA, Imo State, witnessed a momentous occasion. The Obishirike Royal Stool was legalized and strengthened in a grand ceremony held at the Obishirike family palace. The event was marked by two significant traditional ceremonies: the admission of Chief Gab Obi into the Ugbele Akah Council of Chiefs and the enthronement of the paramount ruler Eze Duru Obina Eziama V.

As guests, chiefs, and special invitees gathered, they were seated separately according to their status. The ceremony began with the presentation of kola nuts, which were blessed by centenarian Mr. Ignatius Iwuji. The Master of Ceremony explained the purpose of the gathering, highlighting the historic admission of Chief Gab Obi into the council of chiefs and the institutionalization of the Obishirike Royal Stool.

Shortly after that, Umuaka Times correspondents who covered the event Keenly observed the introduction of the according to their chieftaincy names. The moment this was done, the chiefs went straight and performed the ritual of pouring libation to their ancestors to mark the transition of Chief Gab Obi to the throne of his late father. After the libation, the chief host, now known as Eze Duru Obina Eziama V, arrived and was greeted by the guests in accordance with Igbo traditional greetings.

In a brief interview, Eze Duru Obina Eziama V disclosed his new title and thanked the guests for their presence. The new royal father was then presented to the Isiozi paramount ruler, a paramount ruler from Achara, and the representative of HRM Eze Henry Izuchukwu Ojinnaka of Umuaka.

The ceremony concluded with a libation poured by the Isiozi paramount chief and a delegation of chiefs and “ndi nze” to inform the gods and ancestors of the land of the new royal father’s emergence. The event was reportedly a success, with all dignitaries in attendance being properly taken care of by the Obishirike family.