Respect for Traditional Institutions made me drop ‘Eze Igbo’ Title for Onyendu — Nwoye

The Onyendu of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Bobaselu of Ejigbo Land, Dr Alex S. M. Nwoye, has explained the reasons behind his decision to drop the title of Eze Igbo for Onyendu, saying his respect for traditional institutions motivated the move.

Nwoye, who is also known as Duru Ochiriozuo na Uga, made the clarification while speaking with the media on the inauguration of the Ndindu Ndigbo title in Lagos on October 3. He disclosed that he was the first Eze to embrace the new nomenclature of Onyendu, even before the intervention of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers.

According to him, the decision was informed by the need to promote mutual respect between Igbo traditional leaders and their host communities.

“Some time ago, the Council of Obas in Lagos State objected to Igbo traditional leaders bearing the title of Eze, which literally means king. The situation was further complicated by the use of appellations such as HRH, HRM, Imperial Majesty and others by some Ezes.

“This development created misunderstandings between Igbo traditional leaders and their host communities, who perceived the Eze title as a sign of disrespect for their cultural values,” he said.

Nwoye explained that when Ohanaeze Ndigbo, South-East traditional rulers and governors initiated the process of regularising Igbo traditional titles in the diaspora through a committee led by Charles Odunukwe, he readily aligned himself with the initiative.

He said the process culminated in the widely publicised inauguration of Ndindu Ndigbo in Lagos on October 3, which attracted revered traditional rulers and other stakeholders from the South-East.

“Following the exercise, the controversy surrounding the use of the Eze title outside Igboland has been put to rest. I am now saddled with the responsibility of promoting peace and unity among Ndigbo in Ejigbo,” he added.

While acknowledging that some traditional leaders were yet to embrace the new nomenclature and had continued to use the title, Nwoye urged them to prioritise service over titles and crowns.

“My advice to them is to choose service above titles and crowns. What Ndigbo outside Igboland truly need now is purposeful leadership and direction, not tussles and controversies over titles,” he said.