The Onye Ndu Ndigbo of Lagos State, High Chief Paul Nnoruka Odinaka has appealed to those going by the title of Eze ndigbo outside Igbo land to obey the resolution of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and stop it with immediate effect.
Recall that sequel to the controversy surrounding the “Eze Ndi Igbo” title which has reportedly been abused and misused by leaders of Igbo groups in the Diaspora, the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers (SECTR), released an approved title for leaders of Igbo groups and communities residing outside Igboland.
This was contained in a release signed by HRM, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi Of Onitsha Leader, SECTR, HRM, Eze (Dr) E.C. Okeke, (Eze Imo) Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers (SECTR) and Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Igwe Charles Mkpuma Chairman, Ebonyi State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Igwe Samuel Asadu Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM. Eze Linus Nto Mbah, Chairman. Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Chairman, Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The release captioned, “Resolution of Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers (SECTR) on the approved title for igbo leaders in diaspora”, reads in part, “We are glad to inform you that South East Council of Traditional Rulers after several meetings, deliberations and due considerations has approved ” Onye Ndu Ndigbo” (Igbo Leader in Diaspora) as the most appropriate name or title for whoever is the Head of Ndigbo in any place abroad or Diaspora within and outside Nigeria. Consequently, all Igbo leaders abroad or in Diaspora are to revert to this approved and agreed title with immediate effect. Similarly, all signposts, letterheads, complimentary cards etc should accordingly be designed to reflect this.
In an interview, the Onye Ndu Ndigbo of Lagos State said that there is no way we would continue to abuse, denigrate, or make a mess of our highly esteemed culture and tradition and hope to prosper.
According to him, since the main custodians of Igbo culture and tradition have spoken, those who are erring should try to abide by the resolution.
He also spoke on other issues.
How do you see the resolution of the South east council of traditional rulers over the title of Ezendigbo in diaspora?
Well, my name is High Chief Paul Nnoruka Odinaka. The Onye Ndu Ndigbo of Lagos State. I am from Amichi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. I am a businessman here in Lagos. I deal on steel and other building materials. When we talk about culture and tradition, our minds usually run to the custodians, that is the traditional rulers. They are the people who dialogue with the ancestors or if you like the spirits, and they are highly respected in every culture, most especially in Igbo land. Because of that, their words are usually Yeah and Amen! You don’t reason or let alone dispute what they say. The south east council of Traditional Rulers has passed a resolution that those going by the title of Eze Ndigbo outside Igbo land should discontinue with it, and I expect that those affected should abide by it. These traditional rulers are our fathers, and we are their subjects. Even the Bible says that we should honour our father and mother so that our days will be long here on earth. And I want to say without mincing words that they are right with the decision because there can never be two kings in a kingdom unless we want anarchy. Whenever I see some Igbos answering His Royal Highness, His Royal Majesty, His Imperial Majesty in another man’s land, I feel disturbed. Some even have that written on their vehicle number plates. I want to say in all sincerity that it is not right.
“How to see the sentencing of Fredrick Nwajagu the Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State to prison when we have freedom of association in our constitution?”
Well, I have applied and gotten the Certified True Copy of the judgment, and I have also taken time to study it. It is about 72 pages. To start with, the Lagos State government has a law outlawing the title of kings in Lagos State, if not their own kings, the Obas. I am sure that is how it is in the other states and towns in the federation. You can not go to Onitsha and be answering His Royal Majesty, while the Obi of Onitsha is there. It will be seen as an affront on him, and I am sure that Onitsha people will not keep quiet over it. So it was on that premise that the conviction and sentencing to imprisonment of Nwajagu was based on, and the constitution you spoke about is the aggregation of the laws of the land. Constitution is not averse to tradition. That is the reason why whoever wants to appeal the judgment will meet a stumble block, because it will tantamount to fighting against the government of Lagos state that made the laws in their right senses for the good of the state.
That they accommodated us should not make us to be violating their laws. I have also heard some people saying that the conviction and sentencing of Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate is an infringement on his fundamental human rights. That issue was also argued by his lawyers in the court. But I want us to know that our right ends where that of others begin. So, when you say that it is within your right to do something, you have to make sure that your right is not infringing on that of others. For instance, if it is within your right to go naked or dress indecently, it is not within your right to be showing people your nakedness.
“What advice do you have for those affected by the resolution?”
If they really want to continue to uphold Igbo culture and tradition as was directed by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, they have no other alternative than to join the association of Ndi Ndu Ndigbo in Diaspora which I am the chairman in Lagos State. We meet first Sunday of every month at 21 Oloke Ogundiran Street, Oke Odo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. The objective of Ndi Ndu Ndigbo in Diaspora is projection, promotion and protection of Igbo culture and tradition as well as seeing to the welfare and wellbeing of Igbos everywhere in the world and not to be dragging titles with the kings of our host communities. So we try to ensure harmonious relationships with our host communities. We see ourselves as partners in progress with our host communities and at the same time being our brothers and sisters’ keepers.