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HRM Obi Solomon Eziokwubuindu Nwabuokei Nwoko, Obi of Idumuje-Ugboko.

By Fred Akpewe
After nearly four years of crises and seemingly intractable kingship tussle the agrarian community of Idumuje-Ugboko at last has been blessed with a new King. His name is HRM Solomon Eziokwubundu Nwabuokei Nwoko. His selection as the new Obi came after a painstaking deliberation by the Aniocha North Traditional Rulers committee led by HRM Obi Francis J. Ijei II, the Obi of Issele-Azagba.

The Idumuje people had written a letter to the committee to introduce the issue of the Traditional Ruler/King of Idumuje-Ugboko as required by law. As his name Solomon implies, the new king has come with wisdom to be of blessing to his people. HRM Solomon Eziokwubundu Nwabuokei Nwoko is a man of peace and not a man of war. He came at a time when the town required healing of wounds and he exhibited that in his maiden message, saying:
“For too long has the Idumuje-Ugboko Kingdom been
Embroiled in crises; I therefore sue for peace, forgiveness
and reconciliation so that our community can move forward.
I ask all combatants, especially those using the media as
war arsenal, to sheath their sword (or their pens) and
develop our community. I shall also, with your support and
cooperation initiate a process of healing our wounds,
especially those who have been traumatized and
psychologically disoriented as a result of prolonged crises
in our community”.

From the foregoing, one can see that HRM Solomon Nwabuokei Nwoko is truly God sent. As a former General Overseer (G.O) of Faith Redemption Ministry, Lagos he comes with no baggage. The new Obi was born on the 11th of November, 1955. He attended Idumuje-Ugboko Local Authority Primary School and had his Senior School Certificate at Pilgrims Baptist Grammar School, Issele-Uku in 1975. Thereafter he proceeded to the Western Christian University, Otta in Ogun State where he first received a diploma, then a first degree and capping it with a Doctorate in Divinity in 2000.

The new King had an enterprising working career which lasted for decades. He began with Emo Engineering Corporation, a Yugoslavian firm which had an office domiciled in Lagos. It was Emo that pioneered rural electrification in Nigeria and partnered with the defunct Directorate of Foods, Roads and Rural Electrification, DIFRRI. He also had a stint with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC – serving as head of operation in Lagos and Bauchi until he retired in 2007.

As a community leader, he served as Founding President of Idumuje-Ugboko Development Union, IUDU, Ijaiye Lagos branch. He is married to Mrs. Philomena Ekene Nwabuokei Nwoko (nee Omezu) from Atuma Quarters in Idumuje-Ugboko and they are blessed with five children (three boys and two girls).