South East Traditional Rulers Abolishing Eze Ndigbo Title? Unnecessary And Impossible Assignment

NZE DR MODESTY VITUS EZENWA


We read in the news that the Council of Traditional Rulers in South East has officially abolished the use of the title “Eze Ndigbo” by Igbo leaders residing outside Igbo land. And the council has approved “ONYENDU Ndi Igbo” as the official designation for any Igbo leader in foreign lands or outside Nigeria.


The decision to scrap the title of Eze Ndi Igbo was taken during one of the routine meetings of the leadership of Ndi Eze Igbo and was based on the following considerations:


First, the Council argues that “Eze” is a Sacred Traditional title exclusively reserved for recognized Traditional Rulers in the Southeast, as sanctioned by Igbo customs, culture, and State legislation. She goes ahead to adduce that “A true “Eze” is enthroned and coronated by his Community or Kingdom following traditional rites, divinations, and sacred ancestral ceremonies. She goes further to front a hold that “An “Eze” must have a Kingdom or Community to govern. The title is not honorary or symbolic; it signifies Rulership over a defined territory.


In a bid to strengthen her argument and angst against the Diaspora EZESHIP, the Igboland Ezes believe that
The “Ofo” is a symbol of Authority bestowed upon a Traditional Ruler by his people, signifying his spiritual and cultural legitimacy. She goes further to state that The title of “Eze” cannot be conferred on individuals residing outside Igbo Communities. It is not a political or ceremonial title but one deeply rooted in Igbo tradition and heritage.


The well respected Royal Fathers concluded that
“it is illegal and criminal to confer or to assume such title illegally by any one by his assigns, cronies or legal representatives”.


Posing gratuitous and generous, paternalistic and considerate, the Royal Fathers unanimously approved “Onyendu Ndigbo” (Igbo Leader in Diaspora) as the official designation for any Igbo leader in foreign lands or outside Nigeria.


The Council, sensing the urgency of the “matter at stake” copiously mandated
All Igbo leaders in Diaspora to adopt this new title immediately. This directive, according to the Council extends to all official documents, signposts, letterheads, and public representations.


As would be expected from one dimensional treatment of issues, sanction warped in threat and subtle coercion rises!
“Failure to comply with this directive, especially after a competent court ruling on the matter, will be considered a serious act of defiance, misconduct, and disregard for Igbo Traditional Authority and judicial pronouncement”.


Taking the reasons adduced for the scrapping of the Eze Ndigbo title by the strides, an informed mind would understand that there were no serious reasons and there is no need to waste the Royal time, resources and sweat on this project. The Ezes who met in the far away Enugu, decided to take glaze away from the real troubles of Ndigbo. In the heart of heaping security challenges, mirrored poverty, economic discomforts and social unbalance, glowing marginalization and political severances in Igboland , the Ezes, who lost their voices, surprisingly found it. They broke their silence and found the EZESHIP in diaspora, a worthy issue to address! They failed to have a word on the real troubles of Ndigbo- Nnamdi Kanu, creation of additional state, militarisation of Igboland, unknown gunmen, herdsmen activities etc were left in limbo.


For a long time now, The Traditional Rulers in Igboland have not hidden their discomfort for the institution of Ezendigbo in Diaspora. The battle to abolish and literally dethrone these abroad Ezes has been there.

It is is very certain and clear that envy, inferiority complex and authority problems are imitators and enablers of the recent move to abolish the EzeNdigbo title. The Ezes at home are not happy with the activities of those at large! And as it would be, the Ezes in diaspora appear stronger, more connected, exposed, rich and composed than their “colleagues” at home.

The move to abolish the EzeNdigbo title will be belly up within weeks and months. It is an impossible task. The South East Council of Traditional Rulers lack the powers to issue directives.or regulate the activities of the EZEs in diaspora. They don’t even have the locus standi in this matter

Ezendigbo is a unique title, both on technical and on nomenclaturical basis. The title takes nothing out of the title “Eze”. It is conferred on men of Igbo extraction who have been deemed noble, and worthy of the title. The Igbo communities in the diaspora have freedom of association as well as rights of self determination. Millions of Igbos domiciled across the borders and shores of the earth , like the Jews, always long for ‘Jerusalem”. They wouldn’t forget their roots and are always quick to develop means of cultural and historical retention. Like the Jewish, traces of Igbo culture are littered all over the places they set their foot on.

The Royal Fathers who sat at ENUGU over the issue of Eze Ndigbo perhaps are not aware of heavy impediments on their part. They lack the coercive powers. They lack the muscle to implement whatever directives and orders they have issued. They weren’t part of the making of the EzeNdigbo institution and definitely they wouldn’t be part of it’s unmaking

Be it known that The Ezes in diaspora are not contending or contesting with their counterparts at home. There hasn’t been any recorded case of conflict in any autonomous communities over who is the rightful Eze. The convention is that whoever wears beads in Lokoja or Minna drops it while visiting home. EZE Ndigbo in Ilorin cannot and has never paraded himself as Eze of any community in Igbo land. There is no case of impostor.

The homeland Ezes are having impostor syndrome . They are scared and threatened by the successes recorded by the Ezendigbos. They feel enveloped. The feeling of discomfort and not the idea of uniting and maintaining the cultural heritage of Ndigbo, was the main propeller for the move to abolish the diaspora EZESHIP. Let nobody be deceived.

Eze Ndigbo is a title given on merit. Whoever wears the beads outside Igboland must have put concrete things on the table. Igbos in diaspora are looking for sound minds who would use positions they occupy to tilt certain policies of their hosts to their corners. Eze Ndigbos are usually men who have the capacity to uplift their people, serve as beacon of strength , refuge, protector, financier. The feeling of uncertainty and insecurity in foreign land is a strong one, and that is why Igbos living outside their homeland form watertight unions and impregnable formations that guarantee their existence and growth. EZE Ndigbo of any location / community sees it as a duty to ensure the welfare of his people.


Perhaps it is necessary to mirror the outstanding examples shown by the Eze Ndigbo in Ghana. His Royal Majesty Eze Dr. Amb. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu is one of the most respected influential African Diaspora leaders. Residing at his palace in Accra, he is recognized by the Ghanaian government, who often defers to him on issues related to Ghana and Nigeria. His Majesty is also a successful businessman with ventures spanning Ghana, Nigeria, and other African countries.

He is the chief executive officer of Chibert Group of companies with interests in transportation, Healthcare, farming, aluminum, education, entertainment, oil & gas. His royalty is not in doubt ! Though he inherited no stool, he has created tools for unity, progress and merchandism for Igbos living in Ghana. His reputation grows as his image sowers in leaps. Venerated monarchs and leaders of several respected kingdoms visit him in Ghana. He had played host to sitting presidents and Heads of powerful bodies. Ranked highly im Ghana, respected by his subjects in Ghana, loved by the Eze and the people of his hometown Amaigbo, acknowledged globaly for his sagacity, sound leadership and contributions towards the growth and development of Igbo culture , EZE Dr Ihenetu is one of Ezes in diaspora that wouldn’t be easily “dealt with” by the South East Traditional Rulers. He owes his staff and his recognition to the Igbo community in Ghana , and not to any Royal Father in Igboland. He is yet to apply for Imo State governor’s recognition as a traditional Ruler.

It should be stressed here that Millions of Igbos living outside Igboland have the right to organize and regulate their cultural life. Some of these people rarely visit home. Some do, but sparingly. We have to concede to them the rights to take decisions on how to make their lives in the diaspora more meaningful, yielding and rewarding. The institution of Ezendigbo appears to be a Creation that takes care of the yawning gap in the lives of the Igbos living abroad. We have read about the activities of Eze Ndigbo in Ghana, Malaysia, Switzerland, Japan, Korea etc! These Ezes are adding values in the lives of their subjects, using their wealth and contacts to smoothen the relationship between the settlers and their hosts. They have been carrying out their duties in dignifying manners, in the same way that is expected of the Ezes in Igboland. There hasn’t been any need to call for caution or sanction on any of these Ezes. They operate within their scope and boundaries , limiting their operations with the geographical areas they oversee. So, when one reads about concerted efforts being made to ” dethrone” these Ezes, by their brothers in Igboland, reasons other than non performance and irrelevance become possible factors

We have similar cases in the tertiary institutions in Nigeria. There , we have political and traditional institutions modeled alongside their drawns in the Nigerian government. We have the Presidency, the Senate, the House of a representatives and the judiciary! These are played out within the Student Union Government in Nigerian tertiary institutions. These organs help to regulate the lives of the students in those institutions. Nobody has called for their scrapping! The same traditional Rulers who are insisting on the abrogation of the EzeNdigbo title are not worried with the institution of Ezeship in Primary, Secondary and Post Secondary Schools in Nigeria and beyond !

The writer was the Okeeze 1 of Okenze, IGWE Okaka X111 of UNN ( 1995-1997). He was the traditional head of the Okeke Community in the University of Nigeria Nsukka as well as the Chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigerian Universities . He led other traditional Rulers ( in Nigerian Universities ) to a courtesy call to the palace of Ezeoha of Ihiteoha, HRM EZE Dr Onu Egwunwoke of the blessed memory. The delegation was well received by the host. The chiefs and the members of Eze’s cabinet, as well as top traditional Rulers in Imo state were present. Eze Onu Egwunwoke, who was the Chairman of Imo State Council of Ndi Eze, encouraged his guests, praised their efforts at sustaining, building and propagating Igbo culture in their various locations. He made a cash donation! That’s the way to.go..

The Student Union Government ( Her Executive, Legislative and Judicial arms) is not a threat to our Local, State and Federal Government’s! It is defined and restricted. The Eze UNN, IGWE UNIZIK, Eze Alvan, IGWE ESUT etc are not threats to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers. The former have operational restrictions. In the same manner and kith, the Ezes Ndigbo all over the globe shouldn’t be seen as rivals, competitors or threats to the traditional Rulers of Igboland. These Ezes in diaspora are filling some gaps which those at home are not in the position to handle. They should be encouraged to continue playing their wonderful roles.

South East state governors should set apart some funds to assist diaspora Ezes in their efforts. Rather than cowering these patriot men to submission, the South East Traditional Rulers Council should explore areas of mutual collaboration. Motivation, encouragement and support are what the diaspora Ezes expect.


Igboland based traditional Rulers are expected to be addressing ravishing issues in Igboland , devote their time and energy on issues that address the needs of their communities rather than taking up concerns that are out of their reach, outside their borders and beyond their limits. They shouldn’t be seen as being petty and insensitive!!





– Nze Dr Modesty Vitus Ezenwa, the Publisher of Ideato Voice Newspapers, is the Duru Ugwo Ejinna, Umuezedike, Akwaa akwuru Umuobom, Oderiri Ntueke and Onyirimba Ihitenansa. He was the 12th Igwe of Okeke Hall, UNN, the 5th Chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers (Nigerian Universities).