SOUTHEAST COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS ABOLISHES ‘EZE NDIGBO’ TITLE

The Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers has announced the abolition of the ‘Eze Ndigbo’ title for Igbo leaders outside Igboland. Chairman of the council, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, made this announcement in Owerri, stating that the decision was made after thorough meetings, deliberations, and consideration.

According to Eze Okeke, the council has approved ‘Onyendu Ndigbo’ (Igbo Leader in Diaspora) as the most suitable title for Igbo leaders residing outside Nigeria. The resolution was signed by Eze Okeke, Igwe Nneameka Achebe, and chairmen of traditional councils in Enugu, Anambra, Abia, and Ebonyi states.

Eze Okeke emphasized that the title ‘Eze’ is reserved exclusively for traditional rulers recognized by the government in Southeast states and cannot be bestowed upon individuals residing outside Igbo communities. He noted that the use of ‘Eze Ndigbo’ outside Igboland was a corruption of the monarchical system of Ezeship and an abuse of culture and tradition.

The council also clarified that the celebration of Igbo cultural festivals outside Igboland must be done with the consent and approval of the leadership of the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers or a particular state Council of Traditional Rulers.