By Our Correspondent
The South East Council of Traditional Rulers has unveiled a new title for Igbo cultural leaders in the diaspora, replacing the controversial “Eze” designation with “NdiNdu Ndigbo na Uzo Ije and Diaspora.”
The move, according to the monarchs, is aimed at preserving the sanctity of traditional institutions and ending years of disputes over the use of kingship titles outside Igboland.
The decision was formalised weekend at the Eze Imo Palace in Owerri, Imo State, during a ceremony presided over by the Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Dr Emmanuel C. Okeke (Eze Imo), where 32 diaspora Igbo leaders were inducted. They were presented with certificates of recognition as custodians of Igbo culture in their host communities.
The development is expected to bring clarity to the roles of Igbo cultural leaders in the diaspora while addressing what traditional rulers described as the growing bastardisation of kingship institutions in Igboland.
Addressing more than 50 traditional rulers from the five South-East States and the newly inducted leaders, Eze Okeke described the event as a historic milestone for the Igbo nation.
He 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, advices 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.”
The monarch also commended Chief John-Greg Okey Ezebuadi, a leading Igbo cultural figure in Lagos State, and his team for their role in facilitating the adoption of the new nomenclature among diaspora Igbo communities.
“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’,” he said.
On his part, the Onye Ndu Uzo Ije in Ghana, Dr Chukwudi Ihenetu, welcomed the development, saying it had strengthened mutual understanding between traditional institutions in the South East and Igbo communities abroad.
“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 said.
Reputed for organising elaborate Igbo cultural festivals in Ghana, Ihenetu also extended an invitation to the South-East monarchs, promising to host them at future editions of the celebrations.
A letter of commendation issued by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and signed by Eze Okeke revealed that Chief Ezebuadi and Igbo cultural leaders under his leadership had formally adopted the new designation as directed by the council.
According to the letter, “This is to formally certify that Chief John-Greg Okey Ezebuadi (Ezeani Ugwudike, Ichida), alongside Igbo Cultural Leaders in the Diaspora under his leadership, has officially adopted the new nomenclature ‘Ndindu Ndigbo Na Uzo Ije & Diaspora’ as directed by the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers.”
The council noted that the decision had helped resolve a longstanding controversy surrounding the use of traditional titles by diaspora leaders.
“This commendable action has started addressing and resolving over a decade of misconception regarding the title and its proper designation. This accomplishment further demonstrates why Chief John-Greg Okey Ezebuadi is proudly known as ‘Ogboroagha Ndi Igbo’,” the letter stated.
Aside the formal swearing in and presentation of certificates of recognition as NdiNdu Ndigbo to Chief Ezebuadi and members of his team, the traditional rulers council further disclosed that the Lagos State chapter would subsequently be inaugurated with Ezebuadi serving as Chairman of the Council of NdiNdu Ndigbo in the state.
“We sincerely commend Chief John-Greg Okey Ezebuadi and his team for their dedication, leadership and commitment toward the preservation, promotion and unity of Igbo culture and heritage in the Diaspora,” the Council added.
