PERSONALITY PROFILE
By Chukwudi George Ozalla
Today, Saturday, August 22, 2026, the people of Adazi-Ani Kingdom will gather in celebration as His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Dr.) Chinedu Benson Madubuko, OFR, Eze Chinechendo I, is formally crowned the traditional ruler of his people. It will be a grand and symbolic coronation, bringing together sons and daughters of the soil, friends, associates, dignitaries and well wishers to witness the beginning of a new reign.
Behind the ceremony, however, is a story that makes the emergence of the new Igwe particularly interesting. Igwe Madubuko did not seek the throne. When his people began urging him to accept the responsibility following the transition of the former traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Robert N. Nwankwo, Ogene I, he politely declined. The entreaties continued for about six months. He was approached repeatedly and pleaded with to accept the responsibility, but remained reluctant until, after deep reflection and prayers, he finally accepted the call to serve his people.
He did not go looking for the crown. His people went looking for him.
Adazi-Ani is one of the three Adazi communities in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, the others being Adazi-Enu and Adazi-Nnukwu. According to the traditional account of the origin of the communities, their ancestry is traced to Okotu. Adazi-Ani is regarded as the second of his three sons. The town is divided into three zones, Asanu, Ede and Unuru, and its traditional institution remains an important part of the identity, culture and communal life of the people. It is within this history and tradition that Igwe Madubuko assumes the throne.
Born on September 15, 1963, in Ikenga Village, Adazi-Ani, he attended St. Peter’s Primary School, Adazi-Ani, and later Kenneth Commercial and Technical College, Port Harcourt. He proceeded to Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science. In 2024, Nnamdi Azikiwe University conferred on him an honorary doctorate in Entrepreneurship and Humanitarian Services. He is also a recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR.
His business journey started with relatively modest ventures. He began with LPG refilling and the trading of vinyl records and cassettes. He later moved into the sale of Emenite roofing and ceiling materials before venturing into the manufacture and distribution of building materials. His enterprise eventually grew into De Chico Group, where he is founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The group has interests in building materials, including aluminium profiles, stone coated roofing sheets, ceiling cladding, doors, stone tiles and water collection pipes.
But Igwe Madubuko’s story is not only about business.
Through the Zeph Care Foundation, established in 2017, he has supported widows, students, young people and other people in need through scholarships, medical assistance, skills acquisition and financial empowerment. His humanitarian activities have reached beyond Adazi-Ani, touching people in other communities as well.
In his own community, his contributions have been visible. He has been associated with the construction and asphalting of roads across the three zones of Adazi-Ani, including drainage works and other improvements. He has also supported electricity and other community projects.
Education has received attention too. He has supported indigent students through scholarships and contributed to educational infrastructure, including a 700 seat auditorium for the Faculty of Social Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. He also supported projects at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
His business and humanitarian efforts have earned him recognition, including The Sun Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic and the honorary doctorate from Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Yet, despite all these achievements and the standing he had built among his people, he was not looking for a royal title.
Following the transition of Igwe Robert N. Nwankwo, Ogene I, the people of Adazi-Ani began the process of choosing his successor. Madubuko’s name came up repeatedly because of his standing in the community, his generosity and the development projects associated with him. He politely declined the appeals several times. For about six months, the people continued to plead with him to accept the responsibility, but he remained reluctant until he eventually accepted the call after deep reflection and prayers.
For a man who had already done so much for his community without holding a traditional title, the decision was a call to take on an even greater responsibility.
The Anambra State Government subsequently recognised him as the traditional ruler of Adazi-Ani on February 20, 2026.
Madubuko had already made his mark as an illustrious son of Adazi-Ani long before the crown came his way. He has impacted many people through his personal efforts and resources, investing in roads, education, empowerment and humanitarian work. He has shown the zest to develop his environment and has carried that concern beyond his immediate community. If this is what he has done in his individual capacity, the people of Adazi-Ani can reasonably expect more now that he has been entrusted with the traditional leadership of the kingdom.
Otu osisi anaghị eme ọhịa. One tree does not make a forest. The development of Adazi-Ani cannot rest on the shoulders of the Igwe alone. The people also have a role in making the kingdom better.
The greatest gift Adazi-Ani can give Igwe Chinedu Benson Madubuko is peace and support. He needs peace to think, peace to plan and peace to work. He needs the cooperation of his people to turn ideas into projects and projects into lasting benefits for the kingdom.
Aka nri kwọọ aka ekpe, aka ekpe akwọọ aka nri. The right hand washes the left hand, and the left hand washes the right hand. The success of a traditional ruler and the progress of his people are tied together.
The elders have their role. The youths have theirs. Women, professionals, businessmen, religious leaders and every son and daughter of Adazi-Ani also have a part to play. The kingdom will be stronger when people put its peace and progress ahead of personal differences. Ọtụtụ aka na-ebuli ibu. Many hands lift a heavy load.
Today’s coronation will be grand, but it will also be symbolic. It marks the formal beginning of the reign of a man who had to be persuaded to accept the throne, a man whose record of service came before his royal title and a man who now carries the hopes and expectations of the people who called him to lead.
Igwe Madubuko has shown what he can do as a businessman, philanthropist and illustrious son of Adazi-Ani. The throne now gives him a greater responsibility and an opportunity to do even more for his people. If he could accomplish so much without seeking the crown, there is every reason for Adazi-Ani to look forward to what he can achieve as King. The crown may sit on the head of one man, but the progress of Adazi-Ani belongs to all. Adazi-Ani has given him the crown. It is expected that the Kingdom will give him the peace, unity and support he needs to do even more for his people.
Udo bụ isi ihe niile. Peace is the foundation of everything. Adazi-Ani, behold your new King!
