KINGSLEY EBERE
Top Igbo leader and BOT Chairman of Council of Ndieze diaspora, Eze Uche Dimgba (Okpotemba), has confirmed that the respected Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akeem Owoade, actually bestowed Eze Tochukwu Anosike the title of Ezendigbo Southwest Gburugburu.
However, he denied being part of the entourage that went to Ibadan and made him a chief at Alaafin of Oyo Palace despite the fact that he was at the event during the coronation.
Eze Okpotemba described his presence at the event as a coincidence as he did not know that Eze Tochukwu Anosike was being coronated at the event that was attended by prominent leaders.
Narrating what happened, Okpotemba said, “It has come to my notice that one so called Eze Ndigbo is using my name and images, circulating them on social media and claiming that I was part of his entourage that went to Ibadan and made him a chief at Alaafin of Oyo Palace. This is a lie from the pit of hell.”
“What happened was that we went for a unification meeting amongst all Traditional leaders in diaspora from 17 states of the Federation, who were trying to come together as one.”
“We didn’t know it was a ploy to take my pictures and videos to destroy me. At the meeting, this guy appeared immediately they introduced him as Eze Ndigbo Ojo, Eze Tochukwu Anosike and quickly they gave him a certificate. They pleaded that he was going somewhere and they gave him the microphone as he made a pledge of Hundred Thousand Naira . Suddenly, he started praising me (Eze Uche Dimgba) and his cameramen captured me and took my pictures too.
Immediately they did that, I asked the organisers, “what is this that just happened now?” and they started speaking from both sides of the mouth.
And I got really angry with them and closed the meeting as many participants went home angry and the rubbish meeting ended.”
“When I got home to Lagos, I started hearing the news that he went to Alaafin of Oyo to take a title, that he is now the leader of all Ezes in the South West and that I was among those who supported him to go there. And now, he is circulating the pictures of the unification meeting. This was done only to use my image and integrity which I have built all my life to promote this nonsense. This will also fail as many have tried in the past and failed.”
“In as much as we respect all Yoruba Obas and Traditional Rulers, the Alaafin will not crown or install a leader to lead all Igbo Ezes singlehandedly without consulting Igbos to choose one.”
Despite the fact that Eze Uche Dimgba denied participation in the installment of Eze Tochukwu Anosike as Southwest Ezendigbo Gburugburu, what was certain remains that he was at the event with Ichie Anselm Njoku, Chief Kalu Uguru and others.
However, Eze Anosike, who is also Eze Ohazurume, was conferred with the title as Asiwaju Ndigbo Southwest (Ezendigbo) Gburugburu by Oba Owoade following his outstanding leadership qualities and compassion for humanity. And he has since commenced his work to bring all Ndieze together under his leadership.
Eze Tochukwu Anosike is the Eze Ndi Igbo Ojo Central, the Eze Ndi Eze in Ojo. It means his leadership covers Iba LCDA, Oto-Awori LCDA and Ojo local government area Lagos State Nigeria.