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Tag: Eze Ndigbo

  • Igbo in Akure kick against ‘plan’ to install Eze Ndigbo

    Igbo in Akure kick against ‘plan’ to install Eze Ndigbo

    A fresh crisis is looming in Akure, the Ondo State capital, over an alleged plan by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade, to install an Eze Ndigbo.

    The Igbo have threatened to “create a scene”,  if the Deji does not refrain from such move.

    But the monarch’s spokesperson, Michael Adeyeye, said he was not aware of any Eze Ndigbo title in the state.

    In a statement by James Chukwujekwu and Samuel Maduka on behalf of Concerned Igbo Indigenes, the Igbo said the plan would create crisis in the town.

    The duo said Sir Gregory Iloehika was elected Eze Ndigbo by the Igbo communities in the state in August 2011.

     They said: “Any attempt to appoint another leader would lead to crisis.

    “We wish to reiterate that the Igbo association,  Ndigbo, has been in existence in Ondo State for over nine decades.

    “The Igbo have always democratically elected their leaders.

    “The Eze Ndigbo, Sir Gregory  Iloehika, was elected on August 10, 2011.

    “However, there are speculations that some faceless characters are presenting one of them to the Deji  to be installed Asiwaju of Igbo as against the interest of the Igbo in Ondo State.

    “We are advising the Deji-in-Council and the relevant authorities to be wary of these characters, whose intention is to truncate the peace enjoyed by both the Igbo and their host communities.

    “We are using this opportunity to call the attention of all relevant parties to stop any attempt that can lead to breach of peace in the state.”

     

  • Eze Ndigbo congratulates Tinubu

    Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu has congratulated former Governor  Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 64th birthday anniversary.

    Addressing reporters at the Lagos State Igbo Community Centre, 17/19, Nwachukwu Drive, Okota, Lagos, Eze Nwachukwu described Asiwaju Tinubu as a quintessential leader whose contributions towards the growth and development of the country and the advancement of the cause of humanity cannot be quantified.

    Tracing Asiwaju’s socio-economic and political contributions to the well-being of humankind, Eze Nwachukwu said: “Asiwaju Tinubu exhibited his love for people when he was Lagos State governor from 1999 to 2007. He  evolved policies and programmes that were people-friendly.

    Portraying  him as a lover of humankind and a detribalised man, Eze Nwachukwu noted that in the history of political development in Nigeria and the Southwest in particular, Asiwaju Tinubu’s name would be written in gold. He was the first governor in Nigeria  to appoint a non-indigene into his cabinet.

    “Tinubu believes in the oneness of Nigeria. Once he discovers that you are good and can  contribute to the enhancement of the society, he works with you, not minding the person’s religious and ethnic backgrounds.

    “This great man of history was the first governor in Nigeria to appoint an Igbo man into his cabinet and assigned to him a very important and sensitive portfolio.

    “That proves that Asiwaju is a detribalised man and a great lover of Ndigbo.”

    On his political prowess, Eze Nwachukwu noted that Tinubu is a great political strategist, adding that but for Tinubu’s political sagacity, the country would have continued to be under the misrule of previous administration.

    He said: “It took the political wisdom and strategy of Tinubu to galvanise forces to dethrone a ruling party and entrench the current administration that has all it takes to take the country out of the woods. But for Tinubu’s political leadership, the administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would still be in power.”

     

  • ‘No leadership tussle over Eze Ndigbo of Lagos’

    ‘No leadership tussle over Eze Ndigbo of Lagos’

    The Council of Ndi Eze and the entire Igbo Community in Lagos State have said the position of Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State has not been in contention. They maintained that Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu is the authentic Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State since 1999.

    Speaking to reporters at the Igbo Community Centre, Okota Lagos State the groups said “the clarification became necessary in order to correct some tissues of falsehood published in the Vanguard of March 1, 2016.”

    In a press statement signed by Eze Nwachukwu on behalf of the Council of Ndi Eze Lagos State, Igbo Community Lagos State and the 13 leaders of the two groups, they said: “The Council of Ndi Eze and the entire Igbo Community in Lagos State wish to draw the attention of the public and particularly the Governor and Government of Lagos State to the misleading and malicious falsehood published in the Vanguard Newspaper of Tuesday, March 1, 2016 on page 15 wherein it stated that ‘ a council of Eze Ndigbo is now established for Lagos State with a council of 12  Eze Ndigbo from which a chairman was chosen in the person of Eze H.N. Ohazuluike, with Eze Ndigbo Christian U. Nwachukwu designated as a member.’

    “The same falsehood was also published in the Sun Newspaper of February 25, 2016 wherein it stated that ‘the protracted leadership tussle over Eze Ndigbo Lagos State was laid to rest yesterday [February 24] following the intervention of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Enwo Igariway and other traditional rulers from various states… With this development, Eze Ohazuluike, Eze Ndigbo Lagos State has emerged the interim chairman of the council in Lagos…However, Eze Nwachukwu, who declined the Vice-Chairmanship position has pledged to work with the council and embraced Eze Ohazuluike.’”

    The statement continued: “The genesis of the so-called protracted leadership tussle over Eze Ndigbo Lagos State started since December, 1998. The Igbo Council of Chiefs of Lagos State, Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, jointly invited applications from Igbo in Lagos State for the Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State.

    Many Igbo sons, including Chief Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, Chief H.N. Ohazuluike and others applied and after thorough screening by the three bodies and others, Eze Nwachukwu was selected as the Eze Ndigbo Lagos State after an election was conducted.

    “On April 22, 1999, the Igbo Speaking Community Lagos State issued Eze Nwachukwu a certificate as the duly selected Eze Ndigbo Lagos State after his coronation. On May 19, 1999, the then Chairman of Igbo Council of Chiefs, Chief Ralph Uwazurike and the then Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State Chief Solomon Okonkwo organised a press conference during which Eze Nwachukwu was presented to the public as the Eze Ndigbo Lagos State and on December 6, 2008, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State appointed him as its patron.

    “On October 5, 1999, Eze Nwachukwu was presented with a certificate by the then Oba of Lagos, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, as the recognised Eze Ndigbo Lagos State, after which he was presented to the Council of Obas and Chiefs Lagos State by the then President-General of Igbo Speaking Community, Chief Uche Momah during which Chief Ohazuluike was ordered by Oba Oyekan to stop parading himself as Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State or he would go to jail.

    “Since then, Eze Nwachukwu has been accorded full recognition by past and present Governors and Governments of Lagos State. For instance, wife of then Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu inaugurated the Igbo Community Centre built by Eze Nwachukwu as venue for meetings and other cultural activities of the Igbo Council of Ndi Eze and other Igbo organisations.

    “We urge the public to disregard and discountenance the charade of a meeting held at Colnades Hotel Ikoyi Lagos and their illegal and unwarranted actions and publications…regarding the issue of Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State that is not yet vacant…”

    In a separate briefing, Eze Nwachukwu revealed that on November 5, 2009, the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers invited him to its meeting held at Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu on the issue of the problems caused by Igbo Cultural leaders in the Diaspora, especially with regard to traditional title of Eze reserved for traditional rulers in the Southeast.

    He said after deliberations, it was agreed that the Igbo traditional leaders in the Diaspora should be addressed as Onye Ndu Ndigbo (Leader of the Igbo) to avoid conflicit. It was in the light of that meeting that the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers, by their letter dated November 16, 2009 (Ref No SECTR/CH/VOL.2/0238) written to ex-Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) confirming me as the Onye Ndu Ndigbo Lagos State in view of the fact that I am the recognised Eze Ndigbo Lagos State.

    “Being an ally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ohazuluika and his cohorts had no official or government recognition by the Lagos State Government. Fortunately, when PDP was defeated at the centre, Chief Ohazuluike and his group realised that they were floating without any kind of recognition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos as they worked against the APC during the last election, they ran to Enugu to invite the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu where they have close friends and political allies to come and handpick him as the recognised Eze Ndigbo chairman in Lagos State.

  • Owonifari Market: Eze Ndigbo sues for peace

    Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu has sympathised with traders whose shops were demolished at Owonifari Market, Oshodi. He said the demolition would, no doubt, affect their economic activities. He urged them to accept the exercise in good faith in the interest of peace, unity and good neighbourliness.

    Eze Nwachukwu spoke with reporters  at the Lagos State Igbo Community Centre, Okota Lagos.  He said the demolition was not meant to punish the Igbo, who he noted are contributing to the development of the state and its economy.

    On whether there was pre-information before the demolition exercise, Eze Nwachukwu noted: “findings before me indicate that there were several meetings between the Lagos State Government and the leadership of the Owonifari Market. The problem could be that of inadequate dissemination of information on the part of the market leaders; to inform the traders about discussions between them and government on the need to demolish the Owonifari Market.

    “If there was sufficient flow of information from the leadership of the market to its members, there would have been understanding as much as necessary for the traders to take advantage of the chain of dialogues and agreements reached among representatives of the traders and government officials on the proposed demolition of the market.”

    Eze Nwachukwu went on: “If those doing business in Owonifari Market, Oshodi were Igbo alone, anyone would be justified to claim that the action was targeted at the Igbo alone. But since there are other people from other ethnic groups that were affected by the demolition exercise, there is no basis to claim that the action was ‘anti-Igbo’.

    “In the light of this, I plead with the leadership of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) to reason with government in its explanation on the said demolition. It should be cautious of the kind of comments it makes so as not to portray government as wicked. I don’t think the demolition was ‘an act done in bad faith’ as government had explained that the demolition was carried out in pursuit of the proposed mega city status of Lagos State.”

    Pleading with the traders to move into the new market provided by the Lagos State Government, Eze Nwachukwu urged the leadership of markets to ensure that their members were properly informed about government’s discussions with them to avoid misunderstanding.

    “In the course of making inquiries into whether the traders were aware of government’s intention about the market, it was discovered that there were several meetings and discussions among representatives of the traders and government. It was in one of such meetings, I was informed, that the traders asked government to give them the shops at the new Isopakodowo Market, at the rate of N5, 000.

    “Inasmuch as I know that costs of  s are more than N5, 000 in any part of the country, I plead with Governor Ambode to consider the plight of the affected traders and give out the shops  at a very reasonable rate, in such a manner that government does not lose out and the traders do not pay through their noses.”

    Eze Nwachukwu appealed to traders to relocate to the new market to enable government to carry out its developmental projects. He also appealed to Governor Ambode to be guided by his usual humane principles to regard residents of Lagos as his sons and daughters.

    He also appealed to all parties to show understanding on issues concerning development, adding that “for development to be realistic, something must give way, but not to the extent of making the people affected lose hope on their leaders. Nigerians should believe in oneness and co-habitation irrespective of our political and ethnic inclinations”.

  • Eze Ndigbo hails Ambode

    Eze Ndigbo hails Ambode

    Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu has praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his people-oriented policies and programmes.

    Eze Nwachukwu spoke after Ambode’s inspection of construction work on Ago Palace Way in Okota.

    During the inspection, Ambode expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on road. He said the construction had taken so long, warning the contractor that his administration would not tolerate further delay in completing the job.

    “You ought to have known the importance of this road. Delay in its completion further compounds the pains and anguish the people go through while plying the road. The road is so strategic because it traverses FESTAC Town, Amuwo-Odofin to Ojo Local Government Area, Isolo Local Council Development Area via Ejigbo to Alimosho Local Government Area and other areas. You have up to the first quarter of 2016 to deliver the road, unfailingly,” Ambode said.

    Responding, the General Manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Limited (CCECC) the construction firm handling the project, Mr. Li Bing promised that the company would expedite action on the work in order to meet Ambode’s deadline.

    “We promise to work hard in order to complete the work on time. We will not fail you. We will be accelerating the work in order to complete it before the end of first quarter of the year. We hope we can get more support from the residents,” he said..

    Eze Nwachukwu noted that Governor Ambode’s action which has put the contractor handling the project on toes indicates that he has the welfare of the masses at heart, even as he said that Lagosians always have the luck of being governed not only by governors who are committed to providing good governance to them but also governors who are humane such as former Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Ex-Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) who is currently the Minister of Works, Power and Housing and Governor Ambode.

    He also said if the road is completed as directed by Governor Ambode, residents of the area would be very grateful to him as that will show that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is working towards realising its promises to the people.

    Eze Nwachukwu thanked the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson for pressurising the contractor to complete the road so as to ameliorate the suffering the residents of the area have been experiencing for a long time now.

     

  • Forgive Eze Ndigbo, students beg Deji

    A group of students, under the aegis of Coalition of Student Leaders in Ondo State, yesterday pleaded with the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, to pardon the Eze Ndigbo of Ondo State, Sir Gregory Iloehike.

    The student body urged Governor Olusegun Mimiko to intervene and resolve the issue  in the interest of ethnic cohesion.

    Oba Aladetoyinbo had accused Iloehike of insulting him and relieved him of his position.

    The students, in a statement by their leader,Eric Adeyeye, said Iloehike has contributed  to the development of Ondo State.

    The statement reads:”We the youth know Eze Ndigbo as a man of peace who has been co-existing with Akure people for over 40 years and submissive to its cultural norms and values.

    “We appeal to the Deji-in-Council to temper justice with mercy in the spirit of one united Nigeria to forgive Iloehike and restore his position.”

    The students said the Eze Ndigbo title is restricted to the Igbo community as its leader is not in any competition with the Yoruba monarchial hieracy.

    “It is the same thing as the Yoruba have their own leader in the East and North as well.”

  • Court stops Eze Ndigbo’s installation in Edo

    Court stops Eze Ndigbo’s installation in Edo

    An Edo State High Court has stopped the installation of Chief Luke Abbas as the Eze Ndigbo of Edo State.

    The court ordered Police Commissioner Chris Ezike to stop Abbas’ installation.

    Justice A. Edodo-Eruaga gave the order, following an ex parte motion by Chief Fecus Ezekwere and two others on behalf of the Igbo community’s union in the state.

    In its ruling, the court granted an interim injunction restraining Abbas from presenting himself to Eze Nwosu Ibe for installation as the Eze Ndigbo.

    Justice Edodo-Eruaga granted the injunction restraining Ibe and his agents from installing Abbas as the Eze Ndigbo, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    The court also gave an order of interim injunction restraining the police commissioner from “permitting or allowing Ibe and Abbas to assemble at Abbas’s home for the purpose of installing him as the Eze Ndigbo of Edo State”.

    The case was adjourned till December 22 for hearing of the motion on notice.

     

  • Court stops Eze Ndigbo installation in Benin

    Court stops Eze Ndigbo installation in Benin

    A Benin High Court has ordered the Edo Commissioner of Police to prevent one Chief Luke Abbas from being installed as Eze Ndigbo in Benin, Edo State.

    Justice A. Edodo-Eruaga gave the order following an exparte motion filed by Chief Festus Ezekwere and two others on behalf of Igbo Community Union in Benin City.

    In the High Court enrolment order on Monday in Benin, the Judge granted the interim injunction restraining Abbas from presenting himself to Eze Nwosu Ibe for installation as Eze Ndigbo in Benin, Edo

    The Judge also restrained Ibe and his agents from installing Abbas as Eze Ndigbo of Edo State pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    The court additionally restrained the state commissioner of police from “permitting or allowing Ibe and Abbas to assemble at Abbas’s Gapiona GRA residence for the purpose of installing him as Eze Ndigbo of Edo State.’’

    Edodo-Eruaga adjourned the case to Dec. 22 for hearing of the motion on notice.

     

  • Eze Ndigbo in Kano passes on

    The entire Igbo community in the ancient city of Kano was thrown into mourning yesterday, following the formal announcement of the death of His Royal Highness, Eze John Chiejina Nnaji, Eze Di Ora Mma Ndigbo IV, who was also Onye Ndu  Ndigbo in Kano.

    The President-General of Igbo Community Association (ICA) in Kano, Chief Leonard Enyinnaya Nwosu, who briefed the press on the departure of the Eze Ndigbo, disclosed that a Regent, Nze Ignatius Okechukwu Nwosu (Onowu), had already been appointed to hold the traditional staff for a period of one year in accordance with the Igbo tradition.

    He said: “With grief in our heart and total submission to the will of the Almighty God, we the Igbo Community Association and Cabinet of Odu Ndi Igbo (Eze Di Ora Nma IV) of Kano, do hereby formally announce the death of Igwe John Chiejina Nnaji (Agu Neche Ibe of Neke).

    “Arrangements for the final obsequies shall be communicated in due course; may his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.

    “Meanwhile, the second-in-command, Nze Ignatius Okechukwu (Onowu) is now the Regent in accordance with the Constitution of Igbo Community Association, tradition, customs, norms and values of the Igbo nation.

    “All traditional communication shall be directed to the Regent.

    “The mandatory traditional one-year mourning period for Ndi Eze Igbo is hereby declared, during this period, the Regent shall act in full capacity and the processes of succession shall be put in motion.

    “The final Ofala (Royal funeral) for Odu Ndi Igbo will be announced in due course.

    “A condolence register has been opened at the Palace of the late Onye Ndu at No. 413 Sarki Yarki /Court Road, Sabon Gari, Kano. All sons and daughters of the Igbo race are advised to maintain peace and order as we prepare to bury our king.”

    The late Igwe Nnaji was installed as Eze Ndi Igbo in Kano on October 30, 2010 before a mammoth crowd and a delegation council of South East Traditional Rulers.

    The late Igbo Traditional Ruler was born on August 16, 1941 in Neke town, Isiuzor Local Government Area of Enugu state.

  • Eze Ndigbo loses mother

    THE death has been announced of Mrs Helen Nwachukwu (neeOdun).She was a n community leader and devout Christian.She was 95. Ezinne Lolo Helen Nwachukwu aged 95 years. The mother of Eze Ndigbo Lagos State, Dr Christian Udechukwu Nwachukwu, died on September 19 and will be buried on October 18, after a funeral Mass at Eze Nwachukwu’s country home, Ofeikpa, Umunwarahu, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State. There will be condolences from in-laws, friends and well-wishers on October 19 and 20. and thanksgiving service at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Obodo-Ukwu Imo State on October 21.

    She is survived by several children, many grand children and great grand children.