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Etche Celebrates Two New First Class Stools
The people of Etche yesterday praised Governor Chibuike Amaechi for the elevation of Eze Igbo-Etche and Eze Egwu Atu to first class stools in Etche Local Government Area.
They also lauded him for elevating the Onye-Isi Ozuzu Clan to a second class traditional stool.
At various ceremonies organised by the traditional rulers yesterday in Etche Local Government Area, Eze Egwu Atu said the governor had demonstrated courage in his action by satisfying the yearnings of the people.
Eze Egwu Atu said, “Governor Amaechi had done many things to us even though we need more, we are very grateful to him and pray God to bless him. We thank him especially for the roads, schools, which past administrations tried but could not succeed”.
“He pledged that the Etche people would stand by the governor, describing the elevation of the stool to a first class status as “attracting development to the Kingdom”.
For the traditional ruler, the Oche Mba Clan is a novel stool, pointing out that each clan in Etche was due for a first class status.
On his part, Eze Igbo-Etche Kingdom, Samuel Amaechi described the governor’s action as courageous, stating that in the history of the clan, no government had so recognised the stool.
He said, “today Igbo-Etche Clan has grown from a clan to a Kingdom”.
Amaechi explained that contrary to claims by the opposition, the elevation of the Igbo-Etche stool had been a result of 10 years agitation by the people of the area.
“The people are happy and we pledge our total support to the governor in all his endeavours”, he assured.
The traditional ruler said the development against all odds would unite Etche, as he called on all the warring factions to come together by jettisoning political differences for the growth of Etche Kingdom.
While extending hands of fellowship to all Etche citizens, Eze Amaechi noted that the elevation of the two stools to a first class status would open doors for more development, as he called on government to as a matter of urgency embark on the repair of the Igbo-Etche road.
Onye Isi of Ozuzu Clan, Eze M.R.A. Amaechi, whose stool was elevated to a Second Class prayed for Governor Amaechi, saying, “we are praying that the governor overcomes all challenges, adding, “anywhere the governor will go after his tenure, we will support him and we are supporting him as our son”.
Eze Amaechi recalled that for 20 years, the people of Ozuzu Clan had pressed for the recognition, stating that Governor Amaechi had become a tool in God’s hand to heed their prayers.
In his remarks, Eze Ogbuga 1 of Etche, Ambrose Nwuzi said, “for me as an individual and for all the things Amaechi had done for Etche, this one is the climax”.
Nwuzi lambasted those who described the development as political saying, Etche had waited too long for the recognition.
His views were re-echoed by the member representing Etche 1 in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Amadi who indicated that the traditional stools elevation was a prelude to good things to come into Etche, adding “Ozuzu would find time to receive the governor before he leaves office”.