[dropcap]O[/dropcap]bi Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo is the new monarch of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State. He ascended the ancestral throne following the passage of his father, His Royal Majesty, Obi (Professor) Chukuka Okonjo who joined his ancestors at the age of 91.
The passage of Obi Chukuka Okonjo which had been kept in silence for some weeks due to traditional rites, was on Friday, September 13, 2019 made public by her daughter, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her verified twitter handle @NOIweala.
The two-time Minister of Finance wrote, “It is with thanks to Almighty God that I announce two impactful events: the Ascension to the throne of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom of my brother, Obi Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo, upon the passing away of my father Obi (Professor) Chukuka Okonjo at the age of 91.”
The late traditional ruler who died in Lagos after he arrived from a trip to the United States of America and Ghana, was a professor of Mathematics before he ascended the throne in 2007. A position which was disputed by another family who claimed that they had the right to succeed to the position of Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.
The new monarch, Obi Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo, is a financial management expert and CEO of Chevy Chase Consulting. He had worked for Halliburton Nigeria and attended Federal Government College, Enugu.
He obtained his A’ levels as an external student of the University of London before proceeding to United States of America where he bagged two degrees in Economics and History from University of Maryland, College Park and an MBA from University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He is pursuing a doctorate in Business Administration from University of Paris, in France.
His ascension to the throne followed a process of endorsement and presentation by the Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family of Ogwashi-Uku and the traditional chalking and crowning ceremonies conducted by the Ikelike and Agidiehi Kingmakers in Ogwashi Uku.