Plaudits As Nezianya, Ex-NAN Director Dances Into Aristocratic Agbalanze Society Of Onitsha
The ancient city of Onitsha vibrated in excitement on Thursday when a renowned sports journalist and media guru, Tony Nezianya joined the Ancient Prestigious Agbalanze Cultural Association of Onitsha Kingdom in Anambra State.
Nezianya is a retired deputy director in the News Agency of Nigeria and serving as Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
The Agbalanze society is the highest and most important spiritual, religious and social grouping in Onitsha, it confers aristocratic status on members.
With his successful initiation, Nezianya is now an Ozo, a living spirit and an ancestor who now acts as the moral conscience of the community and a fair adjudicator in cases of disputes within the community.
Speaking on his induction, Nezianya said he was fulfilled to be a member of the distinguished group of Agbalanze which waa populated by people who were successful in their fields of endeavour.
Nezianya said he had been contributing to the political, economic and cultural development of Onitsha and that the honour was both a recognition and an encouragement.
“The distinguished Agbalanze found me worthy to be one of them and initiated me. I chose the name ‘Ozomma’ which is reflective of the general wish of everybody.
“I appreciate my family and people for supporting me all through the journey and I promise to continue to give my best to Onitsha and the larger society, ” he said.
Mr Nnaemeka Mmaduegbuna, a Communication and Public Relations guru said the initiation of Nezianya into the Agbalanze association was symbolic of his attainment of high status in Onitsha.
Mmaduegbuna, who said Nezianya was a committed traditional communicator, an active member of the team which was involved in the propagation of Onitsha culture and a man who had contributed immensely to the society.
“This shows that he is a man of means, he has now become a man of immense status with attendant responsibilities.
“Ozomma’ Tony Nezianya
is now a priest and a person of status who can perform priestly functions, social functions and political functions in Onitsha,” he said.
Also speaking Mr Chudi Anali, a former Commissioner for Justice in Anambra said the Nezianya was highly suited for the prestigious Agbalanze society given his cerebral nature.
According to Anali, he has done well for himself and Onitsha through journalism, his title ‘Ozo Idi Ora Mma’, means the public is happy that he has taken the title.
Philomena Nezianya, his wife said she was happy and proud of her husband’s achievements while promising to support him to succeed in the new role.
Philomena said the responsibility that comes with being the wife of Agbalanze were much but assured that she would uphold the honour bestowed on her family.
Nezianya who adopted the title “Ozomma” meaning the chief who enjoys the approval of the people performed the ‘Mmacha na Ozo’ (Public Dance of Initiation) at the Ime-Obi Ogbeoza square on Thursday.
Nezianya is from Umuosuma kindred,
Umudei in Onitsha Inland town.
