Zainab O.Adekanmbi Reports
On 5th of August 2024, the Okwu Ancient Kingdom witnessed a grand and historic event as Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima, popularly known as OMOBARCA, and his wife, Mrs. Francis Esther Chibuife, were honored with prestigious chieftaincy titles. The conferment ceremony took place at the Okwu Community Primary School, drawing an impressive gathering of dignitaries, traditional rulers, and well-wishers.
The event, presided over by His Royal Majesty, Eze Boniface Izuogu, the Okwu Mgba 1 of Okwu Ancient Kingdom, saw Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima being conferred with the title of Agalaba 1 of Okwu Ancient Kingdom. In recognition of her grace and contributions, Mrs. Francis Esther Chibuife was bestowed the title of Akwaugo 1 of Okwu Ancient Kingdom.
In attendance were other notable traditional rulers from within Okwu and nearby communities, who came to honor the new chieftains and to witness the historic occasion. The event was marked by traditional rites, with both honorees taking an oath of office as a symbol of their commitment to the values and responsibilities of their new titles.
Eze Boniface Izuogu, with the assistance of the attending royal fathers, led the conferment process.
The ceremony was steeped in the rich cultural heritage of the Okwu Ancient Kingdom, reflecting the deep respect and admiration for the contributions of Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima and his wife to the community.
According to his media aide Obinna Francis Solace, some of Hon. Francis’s contributions to community development both in his own home community of Okwu, Olokoro and in diaspora which endeared him to the community and upon which his Royal Majesty Eze Izuogu Boniface and the council of high chiefs saw him fit for the AGALABA 1 title are;
• He installed Solar Street-lamps in Umuevo Community.
• He empowered over sixty youth from within Olokoro and in diaspora with Keke and Motocycles to support their livelihood.
• He renovated St. Michael Anglican Church; and also donated seats, tiles and other items for the congregations and parish house use.
• Continuously, he empowers the widows in the Community with cash grants.
• Every December, he donates cows and 60 bags of rice to the community to support homes for Christmas and New Year festivity.
• during the COVID 19, he gave food and cash palliative to the community.
• He gave the Olokoro women 3 million naira for their August meeting and also donated wrappers to Umuevo women for their meetings.
• He has given out well over 100 vehicles to various people within Olokoro community and in diaspora. Yet he vows to do more by the special grace of God.
• He donated to the Olokoro Community Vigilante group one Siena vehicle and two Motocycles to help their security work and he has also been taking care of Okwu Vigilante’s welfare for the past eight months and counting.
• He has assisted many individuals with medical bills, School fees and other uncountable good deeds both in Okwu-Olokoro and in diaspora.
• He has renovated houses and gifted newly constructed houses to some families in Okwu community
• He gave the sum of 5 Million naira in support of the Olokoro day event and also donated 500 thousand Naira to cover for cooking expenses.
• He renovated the existing Umuevo-Okwu Community Hall and he is currently erecting a storey building Hall for Umuevo-Okwu community meetings.
• He donated a Brand New Transformer to the Community.
• Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima has sponsored the Olokoro Football League for five consecutive years with the sum of five Million naira annually. In the same way, he has also been sponsoring the OmoBarca Cup in Lagos state for the past 10 years.
• He has paid for uncountable Student’s WAEC expenses and also renders cash grants to a large number of people with the Okwu-Olokoro community and in diaspora.
• Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima is a lover of talents and he has invested in many up and coming Nigerian music artistes and footballers. He is known worldwide for his charitable legacy
.
His generosity and love shown towards the Ajegunle, Lagos State Community and the Olokoro Community has earned him this recognition.
The event was a celebration of tradition, unity, and progress for the Okwu Ancient Kingdom, with speeches, dances, and cultural displays adding color to the festivities. The titles of Agalaba 1 and Akwaugo 1 are symbols of honor and recognition, bestowed upon those who have shown exemplary leadership and service to the community.
The newly conferred chieftains expressed their gratitude and pledged to continue their service to the Okwu community, upholding the responsibilities that come with their new titles. The ceremony concluded with a grand reception, where guests were treated to a feast and entertainment in celebration of the newly honored chieftains.