FAITH, LEADERSHIP AND SACRED HISTORY:
EZE (DR.) MARTIN CHIEZE AMAKU’S HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE AND THE POWER OF SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
By Emeka Amaefula
His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Martin Chieze Amaku, Dimeze II of Iho Dimeze Ancient Kingdom, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, has successfully undertaken a Holy Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in fulfilment of his Christian faith and spiritual obligations, reflecting the long-standing tradition of moral leadership and reverence for God associated with the throne of Iho Dimeze.
The pilgrimage, carried out with members of his royal delegation, involved visits to several sacred and historically significant biblical sites in Israel and its surrounding regions. The journey was devoted to prayer, reflection and thanksgiving, with particular emphasis on peace, reconciliation and the spiritual well-being of the people of Iho Dimeze Ancient Kingdom and the larger society.
A notable moment during the pilgrimage was the visit to the Brook Jabbok, known in contemporary geography as Wadi Jabbok (Wadi Zarqa), a site traditionally associated with the reconciliation between the patriarch Jacob and his elder brother Esau after a prolonged period of estrangement. At this sacred location, His Royal Majesty offered earnest prayers for the well-being of the good people of Iho Dimeze Ancient Kingdom, beseeching Almighty God to reconcile families experiencing strained relationships, restore harmony within households and grant enduring peace to the kingdom.
The royal delegation also visited Mount Nebo, the revered mountain from which the prophet Moses was shown the Promised Land. On this solemn ground, His Royal Majesty reflected on the virtues of obedience, sacrifice and faithful service, while committing the affairs of Iho Dimeze Ancient Kingdom, Ikeduru Local Government Area and Imo State into the hands of God through prayers for peace, stability and progress.
In further fulfilment of the pilgrimage rites, His Royal Majesty and his delegation visited other recognised prayer sites across the Holy Land. During these moments of devotion, special prayers were offered for the well-being, wisdom and continued strength of Eze Imo, the Chairman of the Ikeduru Local Government Area Traditional Rulers Council, as well as for the council’s collective responsibility in upholding tradition, unity and communal harmony.
A particularly solemn visit was made to Machaerus (Mukawir), the ancient fortress east of the Dead Sea, historically identified as the place where John the Baptist was imprisoned and subsequently executed on the orders of Herod Antipas. The visit served as a period of quiet reflection on truth, courage and moral steadfastness, values which continue to guide the conduct of traditional leadership.
During the pilgrimage, His Royal Majesty also acknowledged leadership at the state level, commending His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, for his leadership and service to the state. His Royal Majesty offered prayers for divine guidance, good health and continued success for the Governor, while wishing him well in his future political endeavours, in the interest of peace, stability and development of Imo State.
The Holy Pilgrimage of His Royal Majesty underscores the enduring relationship between faith, tradition and responsible leadership. As a custodian of culture and moral authority, Eze (Dr.) Martin Chieze Amaku continues to uphold values of peace, reconciliation and service, drawing inspiration from sacred history in the discharge of his royal duties.
Upon his return from the Holy Land, the prayers and reflections offered at the Brook Jabbok, Mount Nebo and Machaerus remain dedicated to the unity, peace and prosperity of Iho Dimeze Ancient Kingdom, reaffirming the throne’s commitment to spiritual guidance, communal harmony and the well-being of present and future generations of Iho Dimeze autonomous community.
——-Emeka Amaefula —–+234(0)8111813069—-