S/East monarchs re-designate Igbo leaders in diaspora

From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

The South East Council of Traditional Rulers has scrapped the use of the “Eze” title for Igbo monarchs in the diaspora, replacing it with “Onye Ndu Uzo ije” in a move aimed at curbing the “bastardization of kingship” in Igbo land.

The decision was formalised on Friday at the Eze Obi’s Palace, Owerri, Imo State, where the Council Chairman, HRM Eze Dr. Emmanuel C. Okeke, inducted 32 diaspora royal leaders and issued them certificates of recognition as custodians of Igbo culture in their host communities.

Addressing over 50 traditional rulers from the five South Eastern states and the newly inducted leaders, Eze Okeke said “I feel glad and humbled to be at the helm of affairs when the God of our ancestors decided to have mercy on the Igbo race by allowing this union and occasion to come to manifestation. The struggle of a millennium years has finally come to end.

“I thank all the stakeholders ,our leaders, the coordinators, state chairmen , council members , Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide , Honourable minister for foreign affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, South East governors and others too numerous to mention for their support, commitment, advice and resilience in ensuring that sanity is restored back to our traditional stools and institutions in Igbo land and diaspora .

“I make bold to say that our ancestors are now happy and prepared to participate actively in our cultural and traditional engagements. Ala Igbo will now experience greater peace and prosperity.” Eze Okeke stated.

He also commended the NdiNdu Uzo Ije in Lagos State, John-Greg Ezebuadi and his committee who made the gathering possible. “We are highly pleased with him and his team who will be formerly sworn in and presented with certificates of recognition as “Ndi Ndu Ndigbo” .

Also, in his remarks at the occasion, Onye Ndu Uzo Ije in Ghana, Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu expressed his profound happiness to the royal fathers in the South East, stressing that the move would enhance the mutual understanding among traditional institutions in the South East.

“This is a very good step taken today and we’re all happy for it. We all now know our roles and will continue to be good custodian of our culture in our various enclaves.

Ihenetu, who’s known for his elaborate Igbo festival celebrations, equally extended his arms to the monarchs in South East promising to host them at his unique Igbo festivals.

Notable traditional rulers from the zone present included HRM Igwe Lawrence Agubuzo, former Nigerian Ambassador and renowned orator, who recently addressed President Ahmed Tinubu on matters concerning Nnamdi Kanu and other issues affecting the Igbo Nation.