The joy in Ibagwa Ani Ancient Kingdom in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, knew no bound following the coronation of a traditional ruler, HRM, Igwe Cyril Nwabunwanne Asogwa (Ibagwa 1 of Ibagwa Ani Ancient Kingdom), for the community.
The election of the traditional ruler and his eventual coronation by the Atama Nkpunator, Edoga Cyprain Asogwa, yesterday, December 29, 2025, filled the vacant traditional stool which has been void in the community since three years now.
While addressing journalists shortly after his coronation, HRM, Asogwa, expressed gratitude to his people for finding him worthy of occupying the revered traditional stool.
He assured that he would collaborate with relevant stakeholders and the people of the community to attract developmental projects to his people.
“I have been running from occupying this stool for the past two years but my people insisted that I must be the one. I have accepted to be their traditional ruler and you can see the overwhelming love and support they are showing to me.
“I will collaborate with every member of this community to move our community forward. We have agreed to work together for the development of our community. I am promising them that we shall move forward together through our collective efforts,” he said.
While speaking at the event, the Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council and the Traditional Ruler of Edem Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom, HRM, Ikechukwu Asadu, congratulated the new traditional ruler and lauded the people of Ibagwa Ani, for conducting rancour-free election.
HRM Asadu, while thanking the Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Mbah, for endorsing his election, he assured that he would collaborate with the new monarch to engineer positive changes and add values to traditional institutions in Enugu State.
Equally, the lawmaker representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency in the House of the Representatives, Hon. Chidi Obetta, described the traditional ruler as the one fully accepted by his people.
He pledged to collaborate with him to advance the dividends of democracy to the people of the community and the entire people of Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency at large.
Reverend Father Mathew Ezea, of the Nsukka Catholic Diocese and a native of Ibagwa Ani Ancient Kingdom, while thanking God for the emergence of HRM, Asogwa, remarked that it was the first peaceful Igweship election in the community.
The cleric called on the people of the community to support the monarch to ensure seamless administration of the community, adding that his beginning of his reign as the traditional ruler of the community with a holy Mass is a demonstration of his fear of God and high regards for morality.
Earlier in his address, the President General of Ibagwa Ani Town Union, Mr. Fredrick Eze, stated that the coronation of the new traditional ruler for the community marked the beginning of a new dawn when the people, united in spirit and purpose, gathered to celebrate the rebirth of peace, unity and renewed hope in the community.
“Ibagwa Ani spoke with one united voice, and today, we celebrate that profound unity. This coronation is therefore, more than a cultural ceremony; it is a celebration of leadership and a symbol of hope: hope for development, justice, fairness, and leadership that listens, cares, unites, and inspires,” he said.
Eze described the emergence of the traditional ruler as divine mandate, sacred call for service, and a journey shaped by destiny, vision and courage.
The coronation was attended by traditional rulers, government functionaries, 11 Catholic Priests and friends and well wishers.
