Umueri monarch, Igwe Emeka celebrates Ovala Festival, registers 100 for health insurance scheme

By Sunny A. David

This year’s Ovala festival of the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Sir. Benneth Emeka was unique as one hundred persons were registered for free Health Insurance Scheme by the Igwe to mark his third Ovala celebration.

The hundred persons are entitled to receive treatment at any hospital of their choice for one year.

The traditional ruler said he has paid over one million naira to the government for the treatment of the selected persons for one year, noting that the hundred elderly persons were selected from the four quarters of Umueri, twenty five persons from each quarter to ensure healthy living.

Igwe Emeka thanked God for the huge success of his third Ovala celebration as Umueri people trooped out en-mass for the festival, urging them to maintain peace and love one another to enhance more development of the community.

Also speaking, one of the Umueri Royal cabinet members, Chief Mike Udah, thanked God for giving them a God fearing traditional ruler who puts the interest of his subject first and has brought so many development to Umueri, adding that Ovala promotes culture and unity.

He said that Igwe Emeka is gradually transforming Umueri as the community is now wearing a new look.

Sons and daughters of Umueri from home and in the diaspora, business associates, traditional rulers, friends and well wishers paid homage to Igwe Emeka.

The traditional ruler later performed his third Owuwa dance, accompanied by his wife, Lady Chinwe Emeka and the Umueri Royal cabinet.