The Orluzurzumee Youth Assembly (OZYA) has expressed its dismay at the conferment of ‘Ugwumoa Orlu’ title on Chief Uche Nwosu, the Chief of Staff Imo State Government House. The youth assembly made its grievances clear in a letter to HRH Eze Thomas Obiefule, dated September 26, 2015.

In the letter signed by the National Student Co-ordinator, Comr Chibuike Odunze, and National Secretary, Comr Kyrian Echerebo, the assembly stated that, “The attention of Orluzurzumee Youth Assembly [OZYA] has been drawn to the news making therounds that you recently conferred on Uche Nwosu, the of Ugwumba Orlu zone. Though we are aware of your inalienable right and discretional entitlement to choose whomsoever to honour or decorate with chieftaincy titles especially in your capacity as the local custodian of Umuodioka Community customs and traditions, and have no reason whatsoever to query or object to such right and privilege once it is restricted within the Umudioka Ancient Kingdom in Orlu LGA as demanded by law, we feel highly constrained to register our embarrassment hence our resolve to demand explanations from you for going widely beyond your customary limits and exceeding your authority boundaries.”

The youth assembly in the letter queried the authority of HRH Eze Thomas Obiefule; “It is also paramount to state that since you are not the most senior or longest serving, surviving or substantive chairman of the Council of Ndieze Orlu, you have no such right as to go beyond the confines of your local Umudioka Community to confer on Uche Nwosu, such chieftaincy title as Ugwumba Orlu.”

The assembly therefore advised the paramount ruler to withdraw the title in order to preserve the tradition of the Orlu Senatorial District.

The aggrieved youths opined that the “Ugwumba title for sure cannot be for sale to the highest bidder.”

The assembly also issued an ultimatum after which it would take further action on the matter.

“If after seven days, you do not comply with our candid advice, we shall be left with no other option than to exercise our right to annul such conferment made without the consent or approval of Orlu people.”

•Photo shows Owele Rochas Okorocha, Imo State gov.