The month of August is very significant and seen as a month of peace and unity among the people of Obohia. The 2022 Eyirieyi Obohia came with frills and trills, with the pageant for male and female categories of Obiha youths.
The Opara Obohia the 1st, Onyekwere Johnson Chiemela born on the 10th of October in Umungara Amano Obohia, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA Imo State.
Johnson defeated other candidates during the grand finale to become the Opara Obohia the 1st during the Eyirieyi Obohia festival, 2022 held in the 2nd Nwkwo market in August.
Johnson is a footballer, model and graduate, winning the talent award of being the best in graceful contemporary dance and other funfairs that comes with the celebration.
According to the Opara Obohia the 1st, he was grateful to Obohia people, Imo and Nigerians including the sponsors.
“I just want to say a very big thank you to everyone who supported my journey. God bless everyone, I tried my best to represent our culture and tradition which I’m very sure I did extremely well” he said.
The contest was held among the five villages in Obohia ancient kingdom, they are Obohia 1 (Umungara/Ihitte), Elekenowasi, Umuhuocha, Umuedo and Amaiyi.
The Opara Obohia title holder is expected to project the tradition and culture of his people as a cultural ambassador. The criteria for the competition include Obohia citizenship and for the youths.
Onyekwere Johnson Chiemela born by Mr. Sylvester Onyekwere and Mrs. Salome Onyekwere a retired teacher from Umungara Amano Obohia, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Imo State.
Johnson enrolled in Community School Obohia called LA from 2001 to 2006 and Secondary Technical School Obohia for his secondary education. In 2013, he was one of the best WAEC graduating results the school produced that year.
The reigning Opara Obohia gain addition in 2014 into Federal polytechnic Nekede Owerri for his OND and HND respectively in mechanical engineering,
Opara ObohisThe 1st is a footballer and has played in different competitions so far from Imo, Lagos to different parts of Nigeria, with many awards to his name including the most expensive player in federal polytechnic Nekede Owerri in 2015.
Young Johnson whose role model is Christiano Røñàłdô aimed to be a professional footballer, his dream is to wear the green white green as a super Eagle player someday, watch out for him. No wonder his friends call him Johnson Røñàłdô because they say he plays like him.
Johnson is not only a footballer or an Engr. also, he is a lover of culture and tradition, to the amusement of the entire people of Obohia ancient kingdom, he was crowned the Opara Obohia The 1st meaning Mr. Obohia or the most Hanson in Obohia.
Johnson was crowned Opara Obohia The 1st during the Eyirieyi festival 2022 by his Royal Majesty Eze Engr. Chidume Okoro of Amano Autonomous and His Royal Highness Eze Bebless Fredrick Alilionu of Umuhiocha Autonomous.
Others in attendance include the 2022 Eyirieyi committee chairman, Iyke Eze, Duke of Obohia, the Amano president General and Secretary of the Eyirieyi committee, Mazi Okechukwu Ogidi, Mr. Chibuzor (Inno and Bisco motors) Hon. Jerry king among many indigenes and visitors of Obohia.
The high point of the event was the surprise appearance of the former governor of Imo State, RT Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Hon Emeka Chinedu, a member representing the Ahiazu/Ezinnihitte constituency and their entourage.
Thanking the people of Obohia, the ‘Opara Obohia The 1st’ said, ‘I use this great opportunity to thank the Umungara community, the entire Obohia people and the Eyirieyi Obohia Committee for their effortlessness towards organizing this wonderful cultural festival.
Johnson, in his appreciation, thanks Obohia home and in the diaspora, ‘I wish to use the power conferred me to bring the Obohia youths together in peace and harmony, my awareness to stop drug abuse in Obohia” he said. For his first assignment, the Opara Obohia promised to kick off his campaign soon, he pray to archive it.
According to him, he said ‘I’m delighted to be conferred the title of OPARA OBOHIA THE 1st, it’s an honour to me and the entire Obohia people, I promise to be of good conduct and bring our youths together in Peace and harmony, am looking forward to work with Obohia people.” THANK YOU”.
The Obohia ancient kingdom in her wisdom and love for entertainment included a pageant for this year’s Eyirieyi Obohia festival for young boys and girls.
Obohia ancient kingdom is made up of Five communities, which include, Obohia 1 (Umungara/Ihitte), Elekenowasi, Umuhuocha, Umuedo and Amaiyi.
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