Renowned US-based Nigerian-American professor, Dr. Charles B.A. Ubah, conferred high chieftaincy titles in his native Nigeria

Posted by admin Imo, Headlines, State News Sunday, February 23rd, 2025

Prof. Charles Ubah

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United States-based academic, scholar, and renowned Nigerian-American professor, Dr. Charles B.A. Ubah, has been conferred with two prestigious high chieftaincy titles in his native Nigeria. On December 29, 2024, Dr. Ubah, a full professor of criminology, criminal justice, sociology, law, and public policy at Georgia College & State University, was conferred with the chieftaincy titles from two autonomous communities in Imo State, his home state. These rare recognitions only given to worthy sons of the land, underscored Dr. Ubah’s community work, contributions, and scholarly accomplishments.

With his laudable accomplishments, Dr. Ubah had been invited over the years by several Kings in Igboland to be conferred chieftaincy titles in their respective communities. Dr. Ubah, however, had deferred these recognitions given his teaching and scholarly commitments in the United States. He now believes that the time is right to honor the call of the royal fathers to serve his communities in these capacities.

The first title was conferred by His Royal Highness (HRH) King ISHI-UBOM 1, of the autonomous community of ISHI-UBOMIRI, of the Ubomiri Ancient Kingdom in Mbaitoli in the Local Government Area, where Dr. Ubah hails from. He was conferred, at the royal palace, with the Chieftaincy title of “Chief Ihoe Gburugburu,”which means “Light that is all over.”

Prof. Ubah with one of the Royal Fathers

The second chieftaincy title was conferred by His Royal Highness (HRH) King EZE UKWU OF AMAUKWU, of the autonomous community of Orodo Ancient Kingdom in Mbaitoli in the Local Government Area, Imo State. He was conferred, at the royal palace, with the Chieftaincy title of “High Chief Ihoe Chinyere,” which means “Light God has given.”

These two chieftaincy titles come with all the attendant rights, privileges, and responsibilities in the two autonomous communities in particular, and Igboland in general. The two Kings, on their own accord, and in consultation with the elders, awarded the chieftaincy titles to Dr. Ubah, after years of rigorous vetting, community feedback, and critical assessments.

After their assessments, they arrived at the inevitable conclusion that his storied academic background, administrative experiences, professional accomplishments, community service, and projects both immediate and extended over the years made him worthy of such great recognition and honor in their respective autonomous communities.

Prof. Ubah being conferred a high chieftaincy title

The Chieftaincy Emblem

These significant recognitions are acknowledgments of Dr. Ubah’s depth of knowledge of the culture, traditions, customs, and social norms of the Igbo people. In these roles, he will seek to preserve progressive cultural practices and values, passing them through generations. Dr. Ubah, in concert with the Council of Chiefs, and the respective Royal Highnesses, are the community leaders and custodians of traditions, helping to maintain social order and cohesion.

Speaking with New Nigerian Politics from his base in Georgia, after his return from Nigeria, Dr. Ubah stated excitedly, “I am so delighted and excited about the two chieftaincy titles conferred on me by two renowned kings from two different autonomous communities. I am well aware that the chieftaincy titles come with certain privileges and responsibilities. I am eagerly looking forward to exercising those privileges and responsibilities. Given my verse knowledge of the culture, tradition, custom, and social norms of the people as well as my high academic qualifications, rich interdisciplinary background, and diverse professional and life experiences, orientation and accomplishments, I have no doubt whatsoever that I will be able to handle the responsibilities that come with these titles squarely, professionally and fairly.”

Dr. Ubah is the author of the book, “Offender Rehabilitation Issues: Critical Lessons for Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Public Policy,” published in 2023.