Chief Ezeunara Reacts Over Rumoured Scrapping Of Ndieze In Diaspora

KINGSLEY EBERE 

The Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos State, High Chief Chikwado Ezeunara, has reacted over the purported plans scrap Ezendigbo in diaspora, stating that such decision will not be in the interest of Ndigbo living in diaspora. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Chief Ezeunara stated this in Lagos State on the heels of agitation by some groups who claimed that the Traditional rulers from the Southeast have intended to ban the title in diaspora and were giving their support because of the bastardization of the stool in diaspora.

The Chairman and CEO, Lawchez Group of companies, Chief Ezeunara, explained that there is nothing wrong in having Ezendigbo in diaspora because by nature of Ndigbo they travel a lot and form communities wherever they find themselves in the diaspora.

Therefore, there is every need to protect themselve anywhere they reside and form communities. And as they form communities, certainly will need a leader for their common welfare.

Chief Ezeunara, who also holds the  chieftaincy title “Ogbuefi Nwata Nacho Nkeya” in Umuchu in Anambra State,  stated that what Ndigbo should consider is to reorganize the Ezendigbo in diaspora, where it will be restructured in such a way that it will be properly organized to restore the culture and tradition of Ndigbo.

He explained that other ethnic groups have their own leaders in diaspora like Yoruba, Hausa which he stated have their own Oba and Seriki across the States in Nigeria and beyond where they find themselves and formed  communities.

He suggested that, for instance, in Lagos State, Ndigbo should have one Ezendigbo in Lagos State and one in each LGAs in the State, who will coordinate the Igbo at the grassroots across the State.

Ezeunara noted that such structure will bring security and protection to Ndigbo living in diaspora and even the Government of the State will work with the leadership where such structure operates because it will enable the Government to pass information to Ndigbo easily. Then those Ndigbo in diaspora will work together with Traditional rulers from the Southeast for proper synergy to protect Ndigbo cultural heritage.

He regretted that the Ezendigbo is being abused and there is every need for Ohanaeze Ndigbo to take control because it is the Apex sociocultural organization of Ndigbo.

He advised that the Kingmakers should desist from indiscrimate crowning of Ezendigbo in diaspora because it is bastardization of the Igbo traditional stool.

He noted that if the Igbo properly organize Ezendigbo in diaspora, it will come with a lot of benefits including political, economic and social benefits which will make the Government to respect the position of Ezendigbo in diaspora.

Ezeunara also stated that Igbo groups are contributing factors that are compounding the confusion within the Igbo in diaspora and urged that there is need for Igbo groups to come under Ohanaeze Ndigbo to pursue common goals of about the welfare of Ndigbo in diaspora.