•Governor Nwifuru (L) and father
The father of Ebonyi State governor, Chief Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu, who has 30 wives, has been coronated the traditional of ruler Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community in Izzi Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that Ezeogo Nwifuru Nwankpu married 30 wives before those who could not bear children left the marriage, reports Vanguard.
There are now 17 wives currently living with Ezeogo Nwankpu Nwifuru.
•King Nwifuru and his wives
The traditional ruler, who is a well known farmer, gave birth to total of 108 children from the 17 wives, including Governor Francis Nwifuru, who is from the fourth wife.
Out of the 108 children, 21 are graduates who were singlehandedly trained in institutions of higher learning by their mothers, the governor inclusive.
17 villages
Ezeogo Nwankpu is superintending over 17 villages after being decorated as the Chibugo 1 of Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community caved out from Agbaja community in Izzi Local Government Area the governor.
The governor presented a certificate and staff of office to his father, Ezeogo Nwankpu, noting that it was done in line with the law establishing Ebonyi State Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Cap 146.
Speaming at the ceremony, Governor Nwifuru went into memory lane on how the family suffered dejection, intimidation and molestation in the hands of the villagers.
He said they killed his uncle in the village square, and later forcefully acquired their land.
According to him, the land in question is now the primary schools where the father’s coronation took place – Oferekpe Agbaja Primary School II.
He described his father as a hard-working man, noting that he got married to 30 wives, but some of them left because they could not bear any child in the family.
Why my father married 30 wives – Governor
Governor Nwifuru said his father was once humiliated by his relatives, neighbourhoods, and the entire community as he was excelling above his equals due to his prospering farming business.
According to the governor, it was based on his villagers maltreatment or intimidation that isolated his father.
This led him into marrying many wives for companionship and helping hands in pursuit of his dreams as a wealthy farmer.
He described his father as a hospitable man, who loves his wives, children, relatives, and neighbours, adding that currently, 25 out of his children have become graduates.
The governor’s words: “My father is a loving father and husband, who take care of all his children and wives.
“All his wives and children work hard to train themselves in school and that is why we have 25 graduates in my family who struggled to train themselves with the efforts of their mothers.”
The governor advised his father as he ascended the royal stool, to be generous with his subjects, ensuring peace and unity in the community.
He charged his father to be just in discharging his duties as traditional ruler without being vindictive, but to reign in God’s direction and motivation.
Roll call
The Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Power, Chief Godwin Ogbaga, described the installation of Nwifuru Nwankpu as the traditional ruler of the community as most commendable considering his contributions to societal development, particularly in the Izhi clan.
Ogbaga said the credit for Ezeogo Nwankpu’s coronation goes to his son, who is currently the state governor.
He added that Governor Francis Nwifuru created an enabling environment for the exercise by signing into law the document creating the communities as demanded and approved.
The ceremony attracted who is who within and outside the state, including the former governors of the state, Dr. Sam, Chief Martin Elechi and Senator David Umahi.
Others include the three senators and six House of Reps members representing the state at the National Assembly.
The state executives council members, local government chairmen, coordinators and other government appointees, among others, were also in attendance.
