The people of Ezimba Ogberuru in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State last Sunday conferred a chieftaincy title on one of their illustrious sons, Dr Acho Orabuchi.

Dr. Orabuchi, a Nigerian-born -American educationist, is a popular columnists with Nigerian tabloid, Daily Sun, was conferred with the “Ebube Dike 1 of Ezimba-Ogberuru’’ chieftaincy title by the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze Mike Igwenma.

Speaking while conferring him with the title, the monarch, Eze Igwenma said that Orabuchi was honoured with the title for awarding dozens of scholarships to many sons and daughters of  Ogberuru as well as his other outstanding contributions to the community.

He described the columnist as a great icon upon whom many young men and women from the community look for inspiration and role model.

In the event meant to mark Igwenma’s fourth coronation anniversary as the traditional ruler of the community and the silver jubilee of his marriage, Eze Igwenma urged the people of the community to emulate Orabuchi, who despite his status as an American citizen, never forgot his roots.

He stressed the need for community leaders to intensify efforts that would promote peace and enhance development in their domains, maintaining that peace is key for the development of every community in Igboland.

‘Until community leaders learn how to promote peaceful relationship and co-existence, it would be very difficult to achieve peace and unity in any community”, he said.

Speaking with journalists after his chieftaincy conferment, Dr. Orabuchi stated that he received the honour done him by the community with an abundant sense of humility and incredible gratitude, saying as a proud son of the land, “I love Ezimba! I must not relent in my continuous diligent work and activities to provide voice to Ezimba; it is my onus to ensure that my activities are aimed at continually empowering our youth and the downtrodden.

“It is my vision to transform Ezimba-Ogberuru community into a place that can provide hope and aspiration for the youths who are leaders of tomorrow,’’ Orabuchi said.

He also pledged to provide financial assistance for widows, indigents and others with business acumen in the community through the micro-finance bank there.

The educationist urged Nigerians to eschew bitterness that can distort the nation’s developmental strides.

Said he, “We must uplift each other and eschew unnecessary bitterness that stifles development, peace, love and compassion if we must elevate our communities.’’

He said that education should be accorded its right of place by both the old and the young for the advancement of the society.