BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND IKWELE ANNIVERSARY: IBUSA UNITES FOR HIS EMINENCE, CHIEF CELESTINE OKAFOR

By Emeka Esogbue

All roads will today, April 27 2021 lead to Ibusa, an ancient Anioma community in Delta State, South-South Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria where the people will gather their traditional drums and other ancient instruments of merriment in celebration of His Eminence, Chief Celestine Okeibunor Okafor, the Ikwele of Ibusa. The Ibusa people who pride themselves as Nri and Isu migrants will honour their foremost leader and occupant of the oldest traditional institution in the community.

His Eminence, Chief Celestine Okeibunor Okafor, an engineer by profession who ascended the throne of his forefathers in 2010 will be celebrating his 10th Year Anniversary today and also his 50th anniversary of the day he was born.

Noted for his attribute of humility and advancement of the Ikwele institution since his occupation of this stool, His Eminence Chief Okafor is respected in the community for his uncommon friendly disposition to all and sundry and also his regard for the traditional things of Ibusa.

Although he took up an institution that not much was initially known of, His Eminence, Chief Okafor rose to transform it to the communal envy of the people, also relevantly making himself one of the most sought after in the traditional affairs of the Ibusa community. He renewed, repackaged and restored the institution to its original condition and even more outstanding, winning the pride of his Ibusa people.

The Ikwele institution was handed Ibusa by patriarch, Ishite who was the founder of Ezukwu (Ezi-ukwu), the "Broad Street" and now the Ibusa traditional home of the Ikwele descendants. The Ikwele is thus, the Ibusa oldest traditional institution which is nearly as old as Ibusa.

It also enjoys the following in the community:

1. The first traditional institution

2. By traditional standing and salutation, next to the Senior Diokpa of Diokpa

3. It is the only unbroken institution in the history of Ibusa traditional institutions

4. It is the only traditional title that comes from one family

5. It is the only institution with documented occupants so far.

Today, the man, His Eminence, Chief Engr Celestine Okeibunor Okafor whom his Ibusa people have over the time, loved to love will be celebrating his birthday and anniversary of the occupation of the 15th century throne, the stool, older than some communities in existence today elsewhere. By this celebration, the small and mighty will be found in his ancient Ezukwu palace where even friends of the community will gather. Already the ground is being prepared for the remarkable event.

The Ibusa people, known for appreciating their tradition; the people whose forms of culture are often reflective in their marriage, title- taking ceremonies and funerals will celebrate the Ikwele of Ibusa of the land who has represented them ably well traditionally.

The Ibusa community has since erupted in joy since the announcement of this celebration with congratulatory messages passing the Ikwele.

Below is the list of past and present Ikwele of Ibusa with their order of reigns

1. Ishite - 1498 - 1563

2. Anyala - 1563 - 1625

3. Odogwu - 1625 - 1694

4. Ofili - 1694 - 1761

5. Nwaona - 1761 - 1812

6. Adiebu - 1812 - 1857

7. Obiekea 1 - 1857 - 1880

8. Okafor 1 - 1880 - 1935

9. Uchelue Obiekea - 1935 - 1970

10. Osadebe - 1970 - 1985

11. Emordi - 1986 - 2007

12. Celestine Okeibunor Okafor - 2010 - till date

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Emeka Esogbue

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