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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Nze-na-Ozo title has been a major part of Igbo people’s aristocratic traditional heritage. Most communities in Igbo land cherish the title as it confers automatic status symbol on the recipient.
The conferment ceremony for Nze-na-Ozo title is always a colourful and exciting ceremony to behold, such as the ones witnessed during the festive period in Anambra during the conferment of Chief Damian Enekwechi Ejiamatu, Chairman, Anambra Patriots for Soludo, at Nise community, Anambra State.
On this auspicious and sunny day, the sounds of Egwu –Ozo drums and gongs; meaning music for the Ozo title holders sounded out loud and clear, encircling the arena, as it bid welcome to the great men who have distinguished themselves in life and their accomplishments being celebrated.
Dressed in their beautiful and grandeur regalia, with tall red caps and eagle feathers adorning the side temple of their heads, they filed out in parade and salutation through the venue for title conferment.
The recipients, in line for the conferment of the title, were welcomed with resounding cheers, as they made their way in a dance of the wealthy, revered as the soul of the conscience of the Igbo society. As they took their seats at a designated canopy, non title holders gazed at them with envy and hunger to belong.
Other Ozo title holders from distant towns of Igbo land, who had been invited to grace the occasion, also followed suit, exchanging pleasantries with their animal skinned hand fans, taking three turns before the final face to face handshakes. This picturesque scenery captures the imagery of greatness across most towns in Igbo land where the title taking ceremony took place during the last festive season.
Most decisions cannot be taken by the traditional rulers without the mandatory inputs of the Ozo title holders as well as the Igwe In Council; meaning the Royal Cabinet members. In some other parts of Igbo land, the Ozo title is known as Nze, which also carries the same status with the Ozo title, and it is mostly found in parts of Imo and Abia states, while parts of Orlu in Imo State still address them as Ozo.
It is believed that an Ozo title holder is above board; both financially and integrity wise, and he is seen as a symbol of truth, justice, equity, and fairness. The candidate must have been under scrutiny by the Ozo title holders, and members of the society, who found them eminently qualified and worthy to ascend to that revered position in the society.
The Ozo title holder is said to have his tongue slit with matchet, indicating that he should not and cannot lie; and, on the unlikely event of his perverting justice, he would ultimately die for telling lies. That underscores why a candidate for the tittle must be very wealthy and comfortable in all ramifications, hence he cannot be bribed or bought over to pervert justice or compromise the truth. However, a candidate that is not as wealthy as the Ozo title holders can also become one, especially if his children are rich and they would sponsor his coronation ceremony.
The cost of becoming an Ozo or Nze title holder can run into millions of naira, and once one settles all the mandatory and statutory requirements, he is deemed to have secured for the future and can never go hungry or be poor again. It is arguably said that Onitsha, Enugwu-Ukwu, and Awka Nise communities seem to rank highest in the cost of becoming an Ozo title holder.
Ozo Damian Enekwechi Ejiamatu stepped out of his house dressed in the Ozo regalia of Nise as he is led from his house by two of his guarantors to the threshold of his entrance gate, where he was given a seat and flanked by an old Ozo title holder. At the coronation ceremony, Ejiamatu was presented with the code of conduct for Ozo title holders and decorated with the leg and hand bangles as well as the traditional hand fan and the Nkwu Ozo, the staff of office for the title holders.
The Chairman of Ozo Nise, Ichie Emeka Aghasili (Onwa Nise), described Ozo title as one of the highest traditional institutions in Igbo land, reserved strictly for men of proven integrity, good character, and legitimate means of livelihood. He explained that Ozo title holders are custodians of truth and justice in the community, often called upon to resolve disputes and give fair judgments, noting that candidates undergo thorough screening before initiation.
He added that wealth, through genuine means, is important for an Ozo holder to remain independent and incorruptible, stressing that the title is not for people of questionable character. He said Ejiamatu was found worthy, having demonstrated credibility and commitment to community service as well as continuing the legacy of his late father, who was also an Ozo title holder.
The Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Ozo Chukwuma Pius Okoye – aka Ozo Mkpulu Obi – described the Ozo institution as an important Igbo heritage that must be preserved, noting that Ozo title holders command respect and authority in their communities, and are known for speaking the truth at all times.
In his remarks, the Convener of Anambra Patriots for Soludo (APS) and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement, Architect Okechukwu Ezeobi, said the Ozo institution predates colonial governance and functions as a traditional parliamentary and judicial system where elders of integrity resolve community issues.
He emphasised the need to protect and sustain Igbo cultural institutions, describing Ejiamatu as deserving of the honour. It is not only the male folks that are beneficiaries of the title but, also, their wives who are conferred with the title of Iyom as wives of the Ozo title holders.
On the Iyom title conferred on Lady Ifeoma Ejiamatu, the Leader of Iyom Sisters, Nise Kingdom, Iyom Kate Oguocha, explained that the title was the highest traditional institution bestowed on women in the community. She said it is built on truth, discipline, peacemaking, and moral uprightness.
She maintained that the induction of Lady Ejiamatu signified her good conduct and acceptance by the people of Nise. Expressing his gratitude, Ejiamatu (Ozo Ejiamatu N’Anyi) said the title comes with greater responsibility, stressing that truth and service to the community must always take priority over personal interest.
Expressing his gratitude on the conferment, Chief Ejiamatu Damian Enekwechi (Ozo Ejiamatu N’Anyi), who is also the State Chairman of Anambra Patriots for Soludo, said the title comes with greater responsibility, stressing that truth and service to the community must always take priority over personal interest. He thanked guests and well-wishers for honouring the occasion and pledged to uphold the values of Ozo institution.
The ceremony underscored the enduring relevance of Igbo traditional institutions as pillars of morality, justice and grassroots governance in contemporary society.
He thanked guests and well-wishers for honouring the occasion and pledged to uphold the values of Ozo institution. The ceremony underscored the enduring relevance of Igbo traditional institutions as pillars of morality, justice, and grassroots governance in contemporary society.
