HRM, Igwe Dr Robert Chukwudilim Eze turns 83 years today, 15th June. He was born in 1937 on a native Nkwo Day to the marriage of HRH Igwe Michael Anaekwe Eze and his first wife, Elizabeth Mgbeke Eze, Ada Okeke Akpaka of Akpu Village, Ukpo. Igwe is the last of the three sons of his mother with HRH Igwe Dr Walter Chukwunweze Eze and Prince FOC Eze as elder brothers. He has 16 other half brothers, out of whom are Prince Goddy, Prince Justus Udenweze, Prince Engr Arthur Ikpechukwu, Prince Joseph, Prince Michael, and Prince Okechukwu who are still alive. Igwe had a quality cultured background.
Igwe Robert started his school journey from Central School Ukpo, Central School Abagana for his standard VI and later went to DMGS, Onitsha. He was nutured by different school teachers who his father sent him to live with in those days. One among them was Sir Alex Akabua who later became one of his respected Cabinet member. He proceeded to study in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he became an astute scholar in Chemistry. On graduation, he became a teacher for some years before he traveled overseas to study medicine. Igwe cradled to the peak in academic formation.
He ascended the historic Traditional Throne of Dunukofia Clan which existed from 1796, after his elder brother, Dr Walter C. Eze, in 1992, already 28 years on the Throne as the Okofia VI. This Throne has served the entire Dunukofia Communities before Ifitedunu, Umunachi, Umudioka, and Ukwulu started having their recognized traditional rulers. Ukpo and Igwe Ukpo remain beacon of Unity for Umu Dunukofia of which Igwe Robert continues to champion.
Igwe! Igwe!! Igwe!!! May you live longer than your fathers. Igwe Robert, following the examples and legacies of others before him, has made good name for Ukpo. He has doggedly, without making noise about it brought to Ukpo and Dunukofia Clan unprecedented fame and popularity.
Igwe is a resolute administrator and accurate historian whose sense of history, even as he aged is still sound and intact. He knows how to get what rightly belongs to him. A man of wisdom who prepares himself and those around him with quality information on issues of progress for ndi Ukpo.
Igwe loves Education and has personally given scholarship to some bright pupils up to University level. He saw to the establishment and sponsorship of St Mary's Model Nursery and Primary School, Ukpo. The school, now has a Secondary School. Igwe believes that those who are diligent in education are useful instruments in the progress of any community.
Igwe Robert, a husband of one wife, Clara Chinelo, Ada ndi be Okechukwu of Umuogbu Awka, a retired school Principal with Six responsible Children is an active Communicant of the Anglican faith. Though an Anglican but his balanced religious and denominational tolerance continues to weld ndi Ukpo together irrespective of different Religious and Denominational inclinations. Igwe Ukpo does not miss Church service and he loves with unfettered support the Church workers. He knows all the 34 indigenous Anglican clergy and 8 Roman Catholic Priests by name.
Igwe Robert is a Community person, born in Irueze family of Iruanika Oranto Ukpo. He identifies with his subjects in sorrow and in Joy. He loves industry and seems unaccommodating to those who are lazy. He frowns at idleness. Hence, people who are lazy avoid him. He believes that those who work to achieve success should be rewarded.
Today, 15th June is a remarkable day in his life. 83 years but still very strong and agile. Ogbo Osonna, my father's age mate. 83 but still accurate in his analysis. 83 but active in discernment just like his father who ruled Ukpo and Dunukofia for 63 years. May he live longer than his fathers... Igwe! Igwe!! Igwe!!! Igwe Ukpo, Eze Dunukofia, happy birthday.
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