At the 32nd Ukpo Ofala celebration of His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. Robert Chukwudilim Eze (Okofia VI), Igwe Ukpo, and Clan Head of the Dunuokofia Ancient Kingdom in Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government of Anambra State on Saturday, both leaders received several traditional titles.
The vice president, in place of President Tinubu, accepted the chieftaincy title of "Eze Udo of Igbo Land," which translates to "King of Peace in Igbo Land," while Shettima received the title of "Enyi Ndigbo," which translates to "A friend of Igbo people."
Kalu, who was present at the conferment ceremony with the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Arthur Eze, the CEO of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, and other notable individuals by Igwe Ukpo IV, expressed his happiness with the development.
Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu's chief press secretary, stated in a statement that the traditional titles have dual significance in Igbo customs.
He praised President Tinubu's administration for providing the Igbo people with a sense of identity through his appointments, arguing that this will strengthen national unity and integration.
Kalu expressed happiness that the traditional titles were being awarded at the same time as the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P), a new peace project that was created to address sociological problems in the area as well as security concerns using non-kinetic methods in order to bring about peace.
He urged the people to embrace peace and persevere, projecting optimism that the current APC government will give the southeast unparalleled attention.
Vice President Shettima had earlier stated that the Tinubu-led administration was aware of the difficulties faced by the Ndi Igbo and will make a concerted effort to address them in his remarks following the presentation of the titles.
"With the help of leaders like Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senator Dave Umahi, and Hon. Ben Kalu, the Ndi Igbo people are now officially part of Nigerian politics.
Recently, Senator Ifeanyi Uba joined the APC. You should leave any location in our nation where you do not see an Igbo man right away. Why am I unable to relate to you? You can be confident that the Ndi Igbo people are the lifeblood of the Nigerian people. We'll put in a lot of effort to ensure that Ndi Igbo are fairly represented," he declared.