The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers has officially replaced the title “Eze Ndigbo” with “Onye Ndu Ndigbo” for Igbo leaders in the diaspora, in a move aimed at resolving longstanding controversies and promoting peaceful coexistence with host communities.
The decision followed the submission of a report by the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, through its Committee on the Regularisation of Igbo Diaspora Traditional Titles. The new framework is intended to preserve Igbo cultural identity while clarifying the role of diaspora leaders.
At a ceremony held in Owerri, Imo State, the council formally inducted the second batch of diaspora representatives under the new title, replacing the former “Eze Ndigbo” designation.
Chairman of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty Emmanuel Okeke, urged the newly inducted Onye Ndu Ndigbo to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with Igbo customs and traditions, while promoting unity and the cultural values of the Igbo people in their various communities.
“The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers welcomes you with open hands and we wish to state categorically that we expect nothing short of the best traditional Igbo leadership practices from you”
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Committee on the Regularisation of Diaspora Traditional Leadership, Ubochi Chukwunyere, explained that those inducted are cultural ambassadors representing the Igbo people and should not be regarded as traditional rulers.
“The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Governors, and indeed Ohanaeze Ndigbo supported by the Federal Government has brought to an end, these incessant coronations, they came in and brought a name that is acceptable across board, Onye Ndu Ndigbo.
Therefore wherever there are Igbos in the diaspora, they are supposed to constitute themselves peacefully and elect a leader, and that leader will have to come down to the South-East and be screened, approved, and given a go-ahead to be an ambassador to the traditional rulers of of the South-East. So this is historic, and this is a great achievement for the Igbo race”.
The event attracted participants and inductees from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Japan, and several other communities across Nigeria and the diaspora, marking a significant step towards redefining Igbo diaspora leadership.