The Traditional Council of Upata Kingdom paid a landmark courtesy visit to Mrs. Cordelia Uwuma Eke, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, at the branch secretariat in Port Harcourt. The visit blended cultural pride with professional recognition, as Mrs. Eke is both a distinguished daughter of Upata Kingdom and the first female Chairman of the Port Harcourt Bar.

Led by His Royal Majesty Dr. Felix Otuwarikpo, Eze Igbu Upata III of Upata Kingdom, Ahoada East LGA, the royal delegation described the visit as a long-awaited homecoming. The monarch noted that pressing communal and state matters had delayed the trip, but the kingdom considered it essential to show their full support for Mrs. Eke’s trailblazing leadership since she assumed office.

A Call for Unity and Progress
The Council urged all members of the Port Harcourt Bar to remain united behind the Chairman. They stressed that the branch’s stability, peace, and progress are vital to the success of NBA branches across Rivers State. The royal fathers expressed strong confidence in Mrs. Eke’s ability to raise the branch’s standards further before the end of her tenure.

Royal Honours and Symbolic Gifts
As a mark of ancestral backing, the Council presented Mrs. Eke with a leadership-focused book, symbolizing royal blessings, wisdom, and guidance. In a culturally significant moment, she was traditionally decorated in line with Upata customs, recognizing her as an ambassador of the kingdom.

Commendation for Visionary Traditional Governance
Welcoming the delegation, the NBA Port Harcourt leadership praised Eze Upata’s progressive approach to governance. They particularly highlighted his initiative in codifying a comprehensive body of traditional laws for the kingdom, a rare fusion of customary law and modern jurisprudence.

Mrs. Eke Responds with Gratitude
In her response, Mrs. Eke said she was deeply humbled by the visit, noting it was the first time a sitting monarch had led such a high-level delegation to the branch secretariat. She applauded the Eze’s efforts to improve the socio-economic fortunes of Upata Kingdom, especially the new bye-laws protecting widowhood rights and modernizing marriage practices in Ekpeye Land. She described the reforms as bold steps that have dismantled long-standing customs that limited women and widows.

Reflecting on her advocacy work, Mrs. Eke referenced her collaborations through the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) and with Chief Mrs. Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, aimed at strengthening legal protections for vulnerable women.

She also commended the Council of Chiefs for supporting the King’s modernization agenda, emphasizing that education remains the key driver of community enlightenment. She expressed optimism that ongoing youth empowerment programs by the Eze and his cabinet would steer young people toward productive paths.

Mrs. Eke concluded by thanking the Council for the book and royal honours, pledging to uphold the values of Upata Kingdom throughout her professional service.

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