Eze Ndigbo Oriade LCDA, Eze Emmanuel Chukwuakalikamadu, Kick Against Ban Of Eze Ndigbo Titles In Diaspora, Urge SECTR To Recede On Decision, Says “Eze Title Is Cultural, Not Usurping Of Royal Power “
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By Emmanuel Edom
Criticisms have continued to trail the recent alleged unpopular decision and resolution by the South East Council Of Traditional Rulers,SECTR, led by its Chairman, His Royal Majesty,Eze (Dr.) E.C .Okeke, CFR.
The wide Spread public out burst and condemnation ,is coming on the heels of recent announced Abolishment of Eze Ndigbo Titles for Igbo leaders in Diaspora, which the Council replaced with “Onye- Isi Ndindu”, which some of the affected Eze’s in Diaspora have described as being,”Anti – Cultural ,down grading and demeaning to them”.
Recall that before now, Igbo Leaders in Diaspora are all installed as “Eze Ndigbo”, a Title which they said is derived from Igbo cultural heritage, meaning Igbo kings outside Igbo enclaves.
Speaking for himself and on behalf of his Igbo Community and kinsmen in Oriade LCDA, lagos State, Eze Chimereze Emmanuel Chukwuakalikamadu, Counseled the South East Council Of Traditional Rulers to have a re- think, as their decision most likely would be counter productive , unpopular and distractive, especially at this turbulent period in Igbo political, social – cultural rejuvenation .
Eze Chimereze, who is the Eze Ndigbo in Oriade LCDA, queried the Royal Fathers to explain what would become of the Pan Igbo Socio-Cultural organization called Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide, a derivative of Igbo ancient heritage and the pioneer Apex Igbo Union that binds all Igbos?.
While insisting that the resolution of the Royal Fathers were at its best merit, Anti- Igbo Culture,he sought for further explanation and asked,”Are we going to yank off the”Eze” in Ohanaeze Ndigbo or do we now call it OhanaOnye-isi Ndindu?.
He assured the South East Council Of Traditional Rulers, that Eze Ndigbo Titles In Diaspora, which he insists is Social -Cultural, does not in anyway diminish their status and honors as Natural and Traditional Rulers and Royal Fathers, who the Diaspora Ezes are under their Authority and always pay homage to.
Urging them to apply caution and show restraint in their decision,so as not to bring public ridicule to Igbo Cultural heritage, before the various Community of Nations existing in Nigeria, he opined that the decision taken by the Royal Fathers without consulting the affected Diaspora Eze Ndigbos, was ill conceived and in bad fate.
According to him, “SECTR ought to have sent a fact finding delegation, consults with the Leadership of the Diaspora Ezes in different places before coming up with such ridiculous resolution”.
“what I expected from them ,is Royal directives on how to sanction and blacklist erring Eze Ndigbos in Diaspora , with a view of checkmating pockets of Desecration Of Igbo Customs,norms, culture by some rascals and disgruntled unfit elements ,who through crooks and hook became Eze Ndigbo in Diaspora”.
Eze Chukwuakalikamadu,who is the First Eze Ndigbo in Lagos State to publicly voiced out his opinion, position and resentment over the Purported Ban, also cited numerous benefits of his Ezeship Throne, coronation and Ofala in Oriade LCDA.
He further took time off to educate the Royal Fathers in the South East,on the invaluable contributions of Eze Ndigbo in Diaspora institution , which he wisely argued are largely to the furtherance of the rich Igbo cultural heritage , “even to the posterity of the yet unborn Igbo Children and in achieving peaceful and harmonious Co- existence with the various host communities where Igbos are residing”, adding that it is only GOD Almighty that makes Ezes or Kings.
In Jettisoning the perceived and probable fear of Usurping South East Royal Fathers Office Reputations, Eze Chimereze said thus : “Iam assuring our esteemed South East Council Of Traditional Rulers, that We the Eze Ndigbo in Diaspora are not in contest with them over superiority and can never be ,because they are our Igwes and Chief custodian of Igbo Customs and Culture , while we are merely assisting them to uphold and maintain same cultural heritage in Diaspora for the sake of posterity and Igbo Nation.Besides, they cannot From their various Communities rule the entire legions of Ndigbo scattered all over the universe” .
Elucidating more on his opposition to the recent outlawing of Eze Ndigbo Titles In Diaspora, Eze Oriade LCDA also stated thus : ” Before I was coronated Eze Ndigbo in Oriade LCDA, My Church and Christian Faith had made me a Royal Father .I didn’t lobby for Oriade LCDA Ezeship , Igbo Stakeholders and community approached me, initially,I even refused, until I received confirmation from God, approval from my family, my Igwe of Oraukwu and my Oraukwu community in Lagos. This Ezeship was after and in recognition of my sterling qualities and contributions to Ndigbo in lagos State , through my stewardship as Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Amuwo Odofin, comprising of Oriade LCDA then”.
