When Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark City was made a Nigerian Chief

Mayor Ras J. Baraka of Newark, New Jersey, United States of America (USA), has received a Chieftaincy title, conferred on him by a visiting King (Eze) from Nigeria.

Mayor Baraka has, by the conferment of the title on him, become the Nwannedinamba 1 (Brother in Diaspora 1) of Akah-Ebeiri City of Imo State, Nigeria.

The title was conferred on the Mayor by the Chairman of Akah-Ebeiri Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty Eze Ceaser Ugochukwu Duruegbuso, who is on a visit to the US, accompanied by his wife, Ugoeze Precious Nkechi Duruegbuso.

The Eze and his entourage of personalities from his City, who are based in New Jersey, and some other Nigerian nationals paid a courtesy visit on the Mayor and the Newark Council President, Hon. LaMonica McLver at the City Hall, Broad Street, Newark, on Monday, May 22, 2023, where the honor was bestowed on the Mayor.

He was also given the symbols of his new office – a traditional cap and a walking stick.

Mayor Baraka was, at the occassion, surrounded by top functionaries of the City, including the Council President, Hon. LaMonica McLver, Deputy Mayor in Charge of International Relations and Diaspora Affairs, Ligia De Freitas, Hon. Chief Okems Okemezie and Chairman, African Commission of the City, Mr. Abubakar Koyate.

Other personalities from the Umuaka Community in attendance at the event were Mr. Anthony Richard Onyemepu, Chairman, Umuaka Development Union, Mr. Jonathan Iherobiem, Nze Vitalis Meremikwu, Attorney Chidi Egeolu and many others.

Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) New Jersey’s Treasurer, Mrs. Moni Adesina was also present.

It was, indeed, a historic occasion for the City of Newark and Umuaka Community in the Tristate area – New Jersey, New York and Connecticut as well as for Nigerians and Africans in general.