By Ovat Abeng
Amawbia community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has crowned HRH Igwe Uchenna Sunday Okonkwo as the new traditional ruler of the town.
The coronation ceremony that took place on Saturday, May 9th, 2026 ended a five years Igweship tussle in the community.
Igwe Okonkwo emerged as the new Monarch following an election held at the community’s civil centre on November 27th, 2025, where he defeated six other contestants, ending five years of vacancy of the stool.
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The State governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo presented the certificate of recognition to the newly coronated Monarch on February 20, 2026.
The certificate was issued at the ANSEC chamber, Light House in Awka, along with five other newly elected traditional rulers.
The kingmakers performed the ritual of crowning the new monarch in the presence of townspeople, including captains of industries and top government functionaries in Anambra State and beyond.
Speaking after the coronation, the new monarch thanked the Amawbia people for the confidence reposed in him by electing him and finally crowning him as their traditional ruler.
He said he would unite every part of the community and give them a sense of belonging in his reign.
He appealed to aggrieved individuals and groups in the community to shelve their swords and support his reign for the progress and prosperity of the town.
Igwe Okonkwo also assured that he would bring development and reconciliation that would be long-lasting, and urged maximum cooperation from the people.
“I will unite people of my community. I will make sure there is no more division among my people.
I will focus on building human capital. I will do a lot of work on infrastructural development so that the gap of five years without a monarch in this town will not be felt.”
“My rulership will cut across tribe, ethnic and religion affiliations. Every resident in Amawbia town will be treated equally as natives, the Monarch further assured.
In his sermon during the Thanksgiving service of the Traditional ruler at St. Peter’s Anglican Church Amawbia, on Sunday, May 10th, 2026, the presiding Priest, Rev Jessy Onyekamou, commended the community for uniting as a people to crown a king after five years without a traditional ruler.
“While soliciting the support of the people towards the new monarch, the Priest told Igwe Uchenna Okonkwo to ask for wisdom from God, as King Solomon did, so that he would lead the people according to the will of God, and that the community would be prosperous and peaceful during his reign.
He described the Monarch as grassroot man who knows the gains and pains of his people.
He appealed to the people to support the Monarch to enable him succeed.
In his remark, the President general of Amawbia Town Union (ATU), Comrade Chukwuka Odumodu, praised the people of Amawbia for coming together to crown a new traditional ruler.
Odumodu who admonished the Monarch to continue to make peace among his people, also urged the people of Amawbia to pray for their traditional ruler to succeed.
He also described the new Igwe as a God-sent.
He expressed happiness that after a long controversy, crisis gave way for reconciliation and peace, and ultimately the coronation of a new Igwe after about five years without a king.
He equally praised himself for conducting a peaceful, transparent and credible Igweship election that produce Igwe Okonkwo amidst controversy.
“Amawbia must be one community where peace and unity prevail, as it is in other communities within the state.
“I believe the new traditional ruler will do well. I know him very well. He has the character that can bring peace to Amawbia not one that brings problems. I advise Igwe Okonkwo to do everything within his power to sustain the already existing peace in the community,” the PG concluded.
The event also featured cultural dance.
