By Enyinnaya Appolos
In what could easily be mistaken for yet another plot of a Nollywood movie with titles like From Comedian to Custodian or From Stage to Throne, but is instead a historic and emotional reality, one of Nigeria’s finest and most renowned Nollywood actors and comedians, Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, popularly known as Okey Bakassi, has been selected as the Eze-elect of his ancestral homeland, Umuihuocha Obohia Autonomous Community in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
The beloved entertainer, whose career has spanned over three decades in acting, comedy, and public service, will, upon coronation, bear the traditional title “OKWE II,” succeeding his forebears and embracing a new chapter of responsibility as the custodian of his people’s culture, values, and traditions.
Soon to be crowned Eze Okwe II, Okey Bakassi moves from making the world laugh to leading his people with wisdom and pride. His journey from the entertainment stage to the royal stool is a powerful reminder that leadership can emerge from any walk of life.
The traditional council and elders of Umuihuocha Obohia selected Okey Bakassi after a careful and consultative process, affirming his integrity, achievements, and deep-rooted connection to the community. His coronation ceremony, expected to attract notable personalities, traditional rulers, government officials, Nollywood colleagues, and well-wishers, will mark a symbolic return to his roots — a journey from the global entertainment stage back to his native soil to serve his people.
Born and raised in Imo State, the incoming monarch studied engineering at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, but later pursued his passion for entertainment, becoming one of Nigeria’s most recognizable names in comedy and Nollywood. His ability to connect with people through humour and empathy made him a national treasure, endearing him to millions across the country and the diaspora.
Now, as Eze Okey Onyegbule (Okwe II), he steps into a vastly different but equally significant role — that of a traditional monarch expected to lead with wisdom, fairness, and courage. His reign is anticipated to usher in a renewed sense of unity, development, and cultural pride for the people of Umuihuocha Obohia.
Okey Bakassi’s ascension also highlights a broader trend in Nigeria, where accomplished individuals from entertainment and other professional sectors are increasingly called upon to assume traditional leadership roles, blending modern influence with ancient responsibilities.
As Eze Okwe II, he transitions from comedian to custodian of his people’s cultural heritage, taking on the duty to oversee traditional matters, mediate disputes, promote community development initiatives, and serve as a bridge between the younger generation and ancestral wisdom.
Congratulations to the people of Umuihuocha Obohia Autonomous Community, Ahiazu Mbaise — this is indeed a proud moment where history, heritage, and modern excellence converge.
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