A 23-year-old Microbiology undergraduate at Delta State University, Abraka, Prince Daniel Afamefune Chukwujindu, has become the new traditional ruler of the Ekwuoma Kingdom in the Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.

Daniel, who succeeded his late father, King Chinedu Samuel Chukwujindu, was formally installed as the 11th Ajeh of Ekwuoma on Thursday.

He assumed the royal title of Ezeagu-Ukpo II following the completion of the burial rites of his father, who was the 10th Ajeh, Ezeagu-Ukpo I.

The young monarch’s emergence followed the traditional succession system of primogeniture, which recognises the first son of a reigning monarch as the heir to the throne.The community said the practice had been maintained in Ekwuoma since the kingdom was founded nearly 400 years ago.

Daniel’s enthronement therefore marked both the end of his father’s 18-year reign and the beginning of a new era under one of the youngest monarchs in the community’s history.

The ceremony attracted traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders, government representatives, academics, members of the royal family, friends and well-wishers.

Traditional rites were performed to formally transfer the institution from the late monarch to his successor, while prayers and goodwill messages were offered for the new reign. The new Ajeh, in his remarks, thanked the people of Ekwuoma for accepting him and promised to protect the customs and traditions of the kingdom.

He also pledged to promote peace, unity and development, while calling on the people to work together to move the community forward.Daniel urged the sons and daughters of Ekwuoma to support the traditional institution and avoid divisions that could hinder the development of the kingdom.

The young monarch also called for stronger cooperation between the traditional institution, government and residents in addressing the challenges facing the community.

The Chairman, Council of Chiefs and Orikeze of Ekwuoma, Chief Ernest Njokede, congratulated Daniel and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the kingdom.

Njokede prayed for wisdom, strength, good health and divine guidance for the new monarch, saying these would be necessary as he takes on the responsibilities of traditional leadershipHe also appealed to the people to support the new Ajeh and put the interest of Ekwuoma above personal differences.

Paying tribute to the late monarch, Njokede described his 18-year reign as a period of service, peace and commitment to the welfare of the people.

He urged the community to preserve the legacy left by the late king while giving the new monarch the support required to succeed.

“Ekwuoma belongs to all of us. It is our collective heritage. Let us treasure and guard it jealously, for we are the envy of numerous less fortunate communities around us,” Njokede said.

He stressed that the responsibility for developing Ekwuoma should not be left to the traditional ruler and chiefs alone.

“Community development is not the sole responsibility of the traditional institution or the chiefs; it is a shared responsibility that calls for the commitment of all sons and daughters of Ekwuoma and other residents of the kingdom,” he added.