UMUNKATA, LAND OF REFUGE TO OTHER KINGDOM

Umunkata has enjoyed peace and tranquility all through Eze Ebube's reign as king over her. Their farms yield in abundance, the field green, cattles fat, palm trees flourished, rivers filled with fishes, food was plenty and above all they fought no war as the gods gave Umunkata peace and made them the fear and envy of other communities.

On the other hand, a neighboring community Ezi Obodo can be described as an exact opposite of Umunkata.

Ezi Obodo has constantly been at war with their neighboring community Umueze and is suffering from famine as a result of the war. Umueze being ruled by a wicked tyrant king has proven to be stronger than Ezi Obodo as they continually invalid and take over their territories from the west forcing them to move eastward towards Umunkata. This continued until one day the king of Ezi Obodo got tired of the warring with Umueze and went to seek help from Eze Ebube the mighty king of Umunkata.

Eze Ebube after hearing from the king of Ezi Obodo promised to get back to him after meeting with the cabinet. Immediately he left ,Eze Ebube called his son Ikenna to seek for advice and know the mind of the gods concerning Ezi Obodo and Umueze. "Should I get involved in this matter ?" Eze Ebube asked. Ikenna answered and said to him, "Father, you have found favor in the eyes of the gods that they have promised that you shall enjoy peace through your reign over Umunkata. The gods has equally put your fear in the heart of the kings over many kingdom, even the wicked king of Umueze fears and respect you but you getting involved in this war I cannot guarantee victory. The only way victory can be guaranteed is if the people of Ezi Obodo agree to be subject to you and make your god, the mighty god of Umunkata their god. In that way the gods can save them from the hands of the wicked king of Umueze that has tormented them, for the gods are committed to securing everything that is yours"

Eze Ebube sent message to the king of Ezi Obodo giving him the conditions as advised by Ikenna, that only if him and the entire people of Ezi Obodo become subject to him and accept the mighty god of Umunkata to be their god then shall the great warriors of Umunkata rise up in war again the king of Umueze.

The king of Ezi Obodo on getting the message was angered by the demand of Eze Ebube, he insisted he cannot give the whole of his kingdom to Eze Ebube just for military assistance. In his word, "It is better we all loose our lives in war with the Umueze people than to give my people away to slavery in Umunkata"

He called a meeting with his cabinet, and they were all against the idea of becoming subjects to the king of Umunkata and his gods believing that the gods of their land will deliver them from the hands of Umueze people. They continued in war with the Umueze people and the the Umueze people continued advancing as they continued to kill and over power Ezi Obodo warriors.

The war continued until the whole of Ezi Obodo was no longer safe for anybody, women and children of Ezi Obodo fled to Umunkata for refuge. It even got worse when the warriors of Umueze advanced further and even took over the shrine of Idenyi, the worship place of the gods of Ezi Obodo kingdom, then it got done on the king of Ezi Obodo and the entire community that the gods of their land can no longer save them. What kind of god allows invaders to take over her territory up to the point of taking over her place of worship (shrine).

The cabinet members had all agreed to Eze Ebube's offer, stating that it is better to be a subject to him than allow Umueze warriors catch up with them, after all their wives and children are already in Umunkata for refuge and its better they serve the god that has made Umunkata great and prosperous.

They all went to the palace to inform their king of their decision, the king felt bad and said he has failed in his duty to protect life and property of his people. Therefore, he succumbed to the decision of the cabinet saying that the glory of a king lies in the progress of his people.

They all agreed and send delegate to Umunkata to tell Eze Ebube that they have accepted his offer.