The people Okwu Olokoro in Umuahia south LGA of Abia State on Monday August 5th, 2024 rolled out their drums at Okwu primary school in recognition of one of their illustrious sons, Hon Francis Bartholomew Chima a.k.a “OmoBarca”.
The occasion saw the seven villages that made up Okwu autonomous community appeared in their colourful traditional attires. Others who made the event colourful were traditional rulers from Olokoro and beyond, council of chiefs, title men and women, elders in council (Ndi ichie), friends, political class including Senator Chris Adighije, Engr Godswil Ubani, Hon Chidi Nwosu, CSO to Governor Alex Otti, Sir Ken Nwosu, business men and women, the clergy to mention but a few.
Hon Francis Barthlomew Chima during the epoch event received the Chieftaincy title of “Agalaba 1” of Okwu autonomous community, while his wife Esther received the title of “Akwaugo” 1 of Okwu Olokoro led by the traditional ruler of Okwu Olokoro, Okwu Mgba 1, His Royal Majesty, Eze Boniface Ifeanyi Izuogu, with his wife. Other prominent traditional rulers from Abia State assisted him to perform the ceremony.
The honour has also elevated high chief Francis Barthlomew Chima’s status.
It is interesting to know that, high chief Francis has sponsored Olokoro football league for at least seven years or more and the competition has empowered the youths through various means and some of the players have not remained the same.
According to the traditional ruler of Okwu autonomous community, Eze Boniface Izuogu, High Chief Francis Barthlomew Chima has also supported the vigilante groups of Okwu community and Olokoro in whole which brought security to a reasonable stage and curb harassment by hoodlums and village criminals.
The royal father added that High Chief Chima has also paid attention to the development of Okwu community and Olokoro. Presenting his score card and that of his wife, the community described said they honoured him because of his philanthropist prowess. Okwu community identified that High Chief Francis has touched the lives of lives widows, assisted many with medical bills, paid school fees to mention but a few.
Speaking further, Eze Boniface stated that the award was designed to strengthen his ability to do more and prayed that the eyes of the enemy would not see him.
Responding, High Chief Francis Barthlomew Chima on behalf of his wife, High Chief Esther thanked the traditional heads, Okwu community, friends and well wishers for coming en mass to celebrate with him. He added that what he had done was a way of giving back to the society.
National Watch captured that others who spoke about the celebrant and his wife said that as a successful business man and politician, he has much interest to see that Olokoro, Umuahia south, Abia State and Nigeria at large grow rapidly under the atmosphere of peace and unity.
However, the ceremony witnessed many cultural displays.
