Abia State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has extolled the virtues of the former Chairman of Abia State Council of Ndi Eze, HRM Eze Ezo Ukandu, the Enyi Na Obiangwu of Imenyi Kingdom.
Eze Ukandu, who was the 3rd Chairman of Abia State Council of traditional rulers and also, a prominent figure in the creation of Abia State, died at the age of 87 years.
Speaking at JAAC house in Umuahia when the body of the late monarch was received by Abia traditional rulers, the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs in the Abia State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Nnamdi Elekwachi who spoke on behalf of the ministry, described the late Eze Ezo Ukandu as one of the most prominent traditional rulers in Igbo land.
The ministry recalled the late monarch’s contributions to the development of Abia State and listed his various achievements in industry, education, transportation, employment, and community development.
Also speaking at the event, the present Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mba, said that the departed monarch was a role model for Abia State traditional rulers, setting a precedent worthy of emulation.
Eze Mba who said that the Enyi Na Obiangwu of Imenyi kingdom promoted love and peace among traditional rulers, said that his legacies would always be there for generations to see.
He advised the children of the former Chairman of Ndi Eze to live in peace and to maintain the good legacies established by their departed father.
Other traditional rulers including Eze Uwakwe Ukaegbu, Eze Nzeneata Mbakwe, Eze Nelson Mmerengwa among others, said that the death of Eze Ezo Ukandu was a great loss to the traditional institution in the State.
Meanwhile, a commendation service was conducted for the late monarch at the JAAC house by the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion where the late monarch was a Knight.