The Asaga community in Ohafia council area of Abia State has honoured her son, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr. Chidia Maduekwe with the respected traditional title of Ezie Akpan, a kind of traditional sheriff. The Akpan traditional groups in Ohafia tradition are responsible for law and order and justice in the 26 communities of Ohafia. They enforce law and order and dispense justice. As Ezie Akpan of Asaga, Maduekwe is saddled with the responsibility of being the head this key arm of traditional governance in Ohafia. He is now head of the group overseeing the security, law and order in Asaga community.

Maduekwe, resplendent in traditional attire of white and blue and the Okpu-agu cap, complemented with a staff, after accepting the title danced round the community receiving congratulatory messages and cheers.

Speaking after his installation, Dr. Maduekwe said: “The traditional Akpan group that is starting now is a group that understands first, that we are blessed by God and our abode is the East. Our forefathers sacrificed their blood to fight for this land to bequeath to us. They sacrificed their lives so that we would live in peace. The Akpan group would see that there is peace in our community. It is only when there is peace that a community attracts progress. We want peace in our community so that Asaga will develop even more and improve on the progress so far made by our forefathers.”

Speaking on the development, the immediate past President of Amaekpu-Ohafia Development Union, Ogun State, Mr. Uche Ibe described the titled bestowed on Maduekwe as a welcome development in Ohafia. He said: “It is really a welcome development seeing some of our illustrious sons and daughters taking up these core traditional titles. It will add prestige to our tradition and also help in sustaining and upholding our tradition and culture.”