The Kaduna state correspondent of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Emeka Mamah has been conferred with a chieftaincy title by his Imufu community in Igbo- Eze North Local government area of Enugu state for his contributions to the development of the community.

The event was presided by His Royal Highness, Eke Nwuja, Onyishi Imufu and his council of elders at his place on Wednesday December 29.

Mr. Mamah was honoured with the title of “Ukpurueke 1 of Imufu” as a mark of appreciation by the people for his relentless efforts in ensuring the development of Imufu community and Enugu-Ezike town as a whole.

Ukpurueke, in Igbo mythology is the legendary snake, the python whose diamond skin naturally shines for every one. Literarily, it means somebody who makes his marks positively wherever he goes.

In an address at the occasion, the President of the Imufu Progressive Union (IPU), Mr. Edi Osai said Mamah was a role model to the community because of his concerned for the progress of Imufu.

Also in an address at the occasion which was attended by thousands of people, the Secretary General of the Imufu Concerned Citizens Forum, Arji Steve said all the development efforts in Imufu community were mainly as a result of personal efforts of its sons and daughters.

Steve noted that though Mr. Mamah is not a rich man, he has used his profession as a journalist to champion development efforts in the community.

He recalled that when Mr. Mamah was a member of the governing council of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger state, he assisted many Enugu state indigenes in securing admission stressing that the journalist also played an important role in the Imufu water project.

Besides, Mr. Mamah was said to have initiated the building of a Community Secondary School with the cooperation of the Onyishi Omeh Nwa Ogbu and other well meaning indigenes of the area.

“Emeka is one person who has firm believed I the unity of our community and has boldly supported any course that will move ensure peace and progress, he has severally defended our people from arbitrary arrests and intimidation in the hands of corrupt law enforcement officers.

“In fighting for what he strongly believes in, he has suffered incarceration severally in the hands of government agents, especially in granting Imufu an autonomous community before its cancellation by the Chimaroke led government and later restored by the same administration.

“The unity cup which Emeka donated has become an annual contest for the various club sides in the community….despite the fact that he is not a rich person, he has contributed so much for the community that is what informed the decision of the community to confer on him the title of Ukpurueke 1 of Imufu.

Two other people, including Mr. Mike Iyida, a chief Superintendent of police were also conferred with chieftaincy titles for their contributions to the community.

Some of the personalities who stormed the Imufu resident of the journalist to rejoice with him include, Senator Ayogu Eze who was represented by the chairman of Igbo-Eze North council, Mr. Chijoke Ugwu, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu state, Chief Vitalis Abba, chairman of the Enugu state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Mr. Joe Nwodo, Enugu state commissioner of information, Mr. Chuks Nwoke, Chairmen of Igbo-Eze South and Uzo-Uwani councils, the editor of Saturday Guardian, Mr.Felix Abugu and Special Assistant to the Deputy Senate President, Mr. Paul Odeniyi.