HRM EZE AMAKU MARKS ONE-YEAR REIGN WITH ₦600,000 DONATION TO 30-CATHOLIC NEW COMMUNICANTS
By Emeka Amaefula
“Leadership is service—service to God, to the people, and to the unity of the community.”
As part of the one-year anniversary celebrations of Iho Dimeze Autonomous Community, His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Martin Chieze Amaku (Jp), Dimeze II of Iho Dimeze Ancient Kingdom, donated a total of ₦600,000 to newly inducted Catholic youths during a special thanksgiving service held at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Umuori, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
The event coincided with the First Holy Communion Ceremony, a sacred rite in the Catholic Church that formally admits young members into full participation in the Eucharist. Thirty youths, after completing extensive catechism instruction in Catholic doctrine, received the Holy Communion for the first time. In some cases, the ceremony may be combined with the Sacrament of Confirmation for older candidates, further strengthening their spiritual formation.
Officiating the service, Rev. Fr. Jude Chukwu delivered a homily urging parishioners to uphold love, unity, and a collective commitment to community development. He explained that the ₦20,000 gift to each of the newly inducted youths by the monarch was intended to encourage steadfastness in the service of God.
Clarifying the motivation behind the gesture, His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Martin Chieze Amaku, stated, “I gave them the money because they accepted Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour. I didn’t give them money because they are youths.”
Rev. Fr. Chukwu further advised that only those genuinely committed to the Christian faith should accept the gift, emphasizing that even if they later leave the Catholic Church, they should remain devoted Christians wherever they may find themselves.
Reflecting on his first year on the throne, the monarch highlighted key achievements recorded across the nineteen villages of Iho Dimeze. These include the restoration of peace and social harmony, implementation of economic empowerment initiatives, and agricultural support programs involving the distribution of fertilizers, farm seedlings, and over ₦20 million in financial assistance to indigenes and residents. He also noted the reconciliation of strained family relationships and the amicable resolution of land disputes, which have significantly strengthened unity within the community.
The ceremony attracted prominent personalities from within and outside the community, including Snr Apostle (Dr.) Hon. Samuel Udeh (JP), Eze Umuokorobia, who is the Bishop of the Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, Ikeduru Province. His presence, alongside other senior clergy and members of indigenous Christian movements, underscored the spirit of interdenominational unity and shared commitment to community development in Iho Dimeze.
Following the church service, the celebration continued at the palace, where friends, well-wishers, and members of the Eze-in-Council were hosted in a convivial atmosphere. The gathering provided an opportunity to celebrate the monarch’s achievements and further strengthen communal bonds among indigenes and residents.
The grand finale of the anniversary celebration is scheduled to take place on Monday, 6th April 2026, and is expected to feature cultural displays, recognition of distinguished individuals, and renewed commitments to the continued growth and progress of the community.
Through this gesture and the broader anniversary activities, Eze Amaku has reaffirmed his dedication to both spiritual upliftment and socio-economic advancement. His leadership continues to reflect a harmonious blend of tradition, faith, and progressive governance, setting a commendable standard for community leadership.
———–Emeka Amaefula —-+234(0)8111813069–
