– By Ike Philip Abiagom
In every generation, history gifts a community with a rare personality whose presence alone rewrites tradition and elevates identity. For Igbuzo, that rare gift is the Swaggerlious Obi (Dr.)Henry Ajudua-I, Ezeudo I of Igbuzo— The Founder and Chairman of Vebron Carre International, USA, a man whose carriage, conduct and charisma have taken Igbuzo obiship to a world-class pedestal.
A first encounter with Obi (Dr.)Henry Ajudua-I is enough to make even the strongest critics of African tradition reconsider their stance. He does not merely occupy a title; he embodies royalty. He speaks royalty, wears royalty, walks royalty and lives royalty. Every step he takes announces dignity, and every word he speaks commands respect. In him, tradition is not old—it is elegant, relevant and alive.
Igbuzo has always been blessed with illustrious sons and daughters, but the emergence of Obi Henry Ajudua-I has marked a turning point in the town’s traditional history. He has redefined the status and perception of the revered Obiship institution, restoring pride, confidence and global relevance to the throne. What once seemed limited by local boundaries has now found expression on a broader, more dignified stage.
Before now, the red cap chieftaincy in Igbuzo was often viewed as standing apart from the towering traditional institutions of neighbouring towns. Today, through vision, class and unwavering commitment to cultural excellence, Obi Henry Ajudua-I has broken age-long barriers, repositioning Igbuzo’s traditional hierarchy with honour and prestige.
This reality was vividly confirmed during a courtesy visit by a team of community newspaper publishers to his royal mansion in Igbuzo. What greeted them was not just a residence, but a palace of culture, dignity and grace. Royalty was felt in the atmosphere; respect echoed in every exchange. Some visitors, overwhelmed by the aura, assumed he was the paramount ruler—until they were reminded that he holds the highest red cap title in Igbuzo land. The moment left an indelible mark, a memory likened to the rare sight of an eagle in its full majesty.
Till today, those publishers still recount the experience with admiration, a testament to the powerful impression Obi Henry Ajudua-I leaves on all who meet him. Indeed, Igbuzo is a blessed town—blessed with heritage, blessed with personalities, and blessed with a son who has chosen to wear tradition with pride and project it with excellence.
In Obi Henry Ajudua-I, Igbuzo has not just a leader, but a symbol of cultural renaissance, a living proof that African royalty, when rightly worn, stands tall anywhere in the world.