South East Council Of Traditional Rulers bans use of ‘Eze Ndigbo’ outside Igboland

•HRM Eze E.C. Okeke

The South East Council of Traditional Rulers has outlawed the use of the title “Eze Ndigbo” by leaders of Ndigbo outside the region.

This was contained in a let­ter to the chairman of Igbo Leaders in the Diaspora (On­ye-isi Ndindu Ndigbo) and signed by the chairman of the council, HRM Eze E.C. Okeke

It asked them to use the title “Onyedu Ndigbo” immediately.

According to the council, “Eze” is a revered traditional title reserved by culture, tra­dition and legislation for tra­ditional rulers recognised by governments in the South East states, reports Daily Independent.

It added that “Eze” is also a title used by a traditional ruler enthroned and coronat­ed by his community/king­dom in accordance with their laid down customs, culture and traditions inherited from their forbearers, progenitors and ancestors. you may wish to know that issues associ­ated with the selection and enthronement of a tradition­al ruler are deeply rooted in certain rituals, divinations, and sacred ceremonies clear­ly defined and established by the cultures of various ethnic nationalities Ndigbo inclusive.

“Eze” as the king is referred to in Igbo-Land should have a community, kingdom or clan to administer. This is to say (suf­fice it to say) that there cannot be an “Eze” without a commu­nity, kingdom or clan to rule. An ‘eze must have a symbol of authority – the ofo which is not merely ceremonial but a spiritual tool given to him by his people to enable him to per­form his statutory cultural and traditional roles in his commu­nity as the traditional ruler.

The council argued that the title “Eze” cannot be given to or conferred on persons residing outside lgbo communities ir­respective of their personality or positions (elective or other­wise) since it is not a political title and neither is it a title of convenience but one rooted in the culture and traditions of a people”.

It stated that clarification became very necessary to en­able the chairman and his colleagues to know the differ­ence between genuine Igbo traditional rulers from their subjects who are lgbo leaders in the Diaspora.

It said that the celebration of cultural festivals of Igbo outside Igboland should be with the consent and approval of the leadership of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers or of a particular State Council of Traditional Rulers as the case may be, adding that invitation to attend such festi­vals may be extended to any or some lgbo recognized tradition­al rulers in order to add colour and glamour to the occasion.

It consequently advised all Igbo leaders abroad or in the Diaspora to revert the title of “Onyendu Ndigbo“with imme­diate effect.

Similarly, it said all sign­posts, letterheads, compli­mentary cards, etc should be designed to reflect the change in title.

However, the council ex­pressed happiness with the commitment to ensure the peaceful co-existence of Ndig­bo with their host communities in their countries of residence by Igbo leaders in the Diaspora.