Igwe Godson Ezechukwu Confirms Nze Na Ozo Title As Kindred Affairs In Umuchu Town

KINGSLEY EBERE 

The traditional ruler of Umuchu town in Aguata Local Government area of Anambra State HRM, Igwe Godson Ezechukwu, may have ended the fierce supremacy battle between the Indigenous Council led by Chief Bonaventure Mokwe (Obiridike Aka na Ala) and the Supreme Council of Nze na Ozo led by Chief Chinedu Ezeoha  (Ijerenze) over the Nze na Ozo title tussle. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Igwe Godson Ezechukwu, who is the custodian of the culture and tradition in Umuchu town, has affirmed that Nze na Ozo title is a kindred/village affairs and not social club.

According to the indigenes, the declaration by Igwe Ezechukwu means that the Supreme Council of Nze na Ozo has lost the battle and may fuse into the Indigenous Council of Nze na Ozo.

This was contained in a response letter dated 18th June, 2025 from the Palace/ Cabinet of Igwe Ezechukwu duly signed by the Palace Secretary, Professor E.E. Ihejirika, on behalf of Igwe Ezechukwu on the question concerning the position of Nze na Ozo title in Umuchu town by an indigene, Nze Marcel Ezechukwu.

The letter stated:

Office of the Palace/Cabinet Secretary

Crystal Palace, Umuchu, Aguata L.G.A

Anambra State, Nigeria,

Our Ref: Ps/230/18/6/2025

Your Ref:

Date: 18th June, 2025

Dear Nze Marcel Ezechukwu

AN HONEST REPLY TO YOUR QUESTIONS

“I am direct by HRH, Igwe G.O Ezechukwu, OON, KSP, JP to reply to your questions concerning Nze na Ozo Umuchu.

“According to the Tradition of our dear town Umuchu, the issue of Nze na Ozo conferment or coronation is purely a kindred affair. It is neither a social club nor compulsory organization or association.”

“Nze na Ozo is not a town’s affair either except where the villages wish to have a central body for the sake of unity and uniformity of processes and actions.”

“Significantly, the Palace has no formal control of Nze na Ozo group except on advisory grounds for the protection of the culture and tradition of Umuchu town. To the above extent, no member of Nze na Ozo could be compelled to join any organization or association foreign or local. The Nigerian Constitution specifies certain freedoms for citizens such as freedom of Speech, Worship, Movement and Association among others. Let the peace, unity and progress of our town not be jeopardized by membership of clubs or associations.”

Prof. E.E Ifejirika

Palace/Cabinet Secretary

Umuchu Crystal Palace”

From the letter coming from the Palace of Igwe Ezechukwu, it was very clear that the Indigenous Nze na Ozo has won the battle following their stand that Nze na Ozo title is a kindred affairs against the position of Supreme Council of Nze na Ozo led by Ijerenze. This may have also nullified the position of the Commissioner of Local Government, Chieftaincy And Community Affairs,  Hon. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, who may have goofed through his letter to the President General of Umuchu town,  Ozo  Charles Ezenwabasili, without proper investigation and understanding of the culture and tradition of Umuchu town on Nze na Ozo.

Igwe Ezechukwu has also written a letter dated 30th June, 2025, to the Commissioner, Hon.TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, over the letter he wrote to the President General concerning the Nze na Ozo matter without proper consultation with the Igwe Umuchu.

The letter stated below :

Office of the Palace/Cabinet Secretary Crystal Palace, Umuchu, Aguata L.G.A

Anambra State, Nigeria.

Our Ref: Ps232/30/6/2025

Your Ref:

Date: 30th June, 2025

The Hon Commissioner,

Local Government, Chieftaincy And Community Affairs

Anambra State

Sir,

RE-ACTS CAPABLE OF POLARIZING AND BALKANIZING THE AGE-LONG OZO INSTITUTION IN UMUCHU TOWN

His Royal Highness, Igwe Godson Ogbunanwa Ezechukwu OON, KSP, JP, Okwuluoha Umuchu, Igwe Umuchu has directed me to respond to the memo you copied him.

Hon. Commissioner sir, in the performance of your functions, you must not allow persons and individuals with vaulting ambition and commercial intents to drag you and your amiable personality into the muds. I say this in respect of the petition written to you by the leadership of Nze na Ozo Umuchu.

Below Are the Facts to Be Noted.

First, HRH is the custodian of the culture and tradition of Umuchu town. To this extent, anything that concerns the culture of Umuchu should be first referred to him and not to the president General of the town.

Secondly, the traditional Ruler is the first citizen of Umuchu. To this end, it is not right to write to the PG on the matter of Culture and copy the Igwe of the town.

Furthermore, the issue of Nze na Ozo is a kindred/Village affair. It has never been a collective town’s affair in Umuchu town. This can be verified by your office.

The truth of the matter is that the Chairman of Nze na Ozo expanded the scope of the institution and made it a town’s affair.

It is important to note that when the leadership of Nze na Ozo commercialized the institution through centralization of its activities, some individuals and villages in protest, went back to the original nature and structure of the institution. The group that came to your office with a letter of complaint and protestation are simply protecting their office, territory and interest.

The Hon commissioner is very much aware of certain freedom entrenched in the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 as amended. Such freedom include: that of Speech, Association, Movement and Worship among others. Let the group leave your office out of the non-existent problem in the Nze na Ozo institution. Rather advise the group to approach the Igwe for interpretation of the issue or let them go to court to challenge the Indigenous Ozo Group by providing the general constitution that guides the institution of Nze na Ozo in Umuchu.

Meanwhile, Hon Commissioner, be rest assured that Nze na Ozo cannot divide or polarize Umuchu. The town remains peaceful, united and indivisible, as not many people aspire to belong to Nze na Ozo in Umuchu. So Nze na Ozo politics cannot polarize Umuchu town.

Thanks for your understanding of the difference between truth and falsehood, facts and fiction and the interest of individuals and that of a group.

Yours faithfully, Prof. Chief E. E Ifejirika.

(Palace Secretary) “