From Eze-Elect Sir J.O. Muruako (KSJ) JP, The Eze-Elect of Ihiagwa community Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. On the occasion of his marriage golden jublee and 70th birthday celebrations that took place in Ihiagwa on 26th December 2004.
My beloved people of the ancient and great Ihiagwa Community, in the midst of my jubilation for a fulfilled life in 50 years of married bliss, and the attainments of the glorious 70 years of life, I send you my greetings and prayers for good health and prosperity.
I am quite fulfilled and thankful to our good God in that I embarked on early marriage and service to Ihiagwa simultaneously in the fifties. To the eternal blessing of God, I have achieved success in the two ventures. Today, I count myself as the head of one of the happiest and united family of a loving wife and wonderful children and grandchildren.
On the patriotic front of service to the land of the Otamirri, I have remained constant and achieved much for our motherland. Without being immodest, I can claim without contradiction that I achieved Autonomous status for Ihiagwa in 1976. In the vanguard of my fallen patriot Chief Christopher Ugwuegbu, we laid the foundation for Ezeship in Ihiagwa and enthroned our late revered Eze John Njoku. As secretary-General of Ihiagwa Executive Council, I pioneered the Organization of Ihiagwa which achieved a Secondary School for Ihiagwa, a Magistrates Court and the construction of permanent stores in the Nkwo-ukwu market place. Under late Ugwuegbu and myself Ihiagwa was united, organized and progressive.
In spite of incidents and actions that set Ihiagwa on a retrogressive ethnicism, I have remained in the battle for enlightened leadership, unity and development. In pursuit of this self convinced duty to the fatherland, I decided in spite of my personal achievements to offer myself for a life of service as the traditional ruler of our community. This cost me severe misunderstanding, discomfort and even risk to my life and that of innocent members of my family.
I want to use this occasion to inform my dear people o Ihiagwa that I am not frustrated. My determination to use my god given resources of knowledge, fame and contacts to transform Ihiagwa will regain her unity and we will once more resume our journey towards progress and development.
On this occasion of celebrating God’s blessing on me and my family, I want to reassure our people that I am determined to restore the prestine glory of Ihiagwa in the Comity of Communities. My charter of progress for Ihiagwa is already mapped out in black and white. I believe the God Of Our great forefathers, who rode on the crest in the past, will restore our unity and eminence.
God bless Ihiagwa!
Nze, Sir J.O. Muruako (KSJ) JP
Eze-elect of Ihiagwa.
E-mail: Akawelitarambaako@yahoo.com
