By Magnus Eze
Ndigbo in the Diaspora at the weekend in Abuja renewed the tenure of Igbo 1 Abuja, Eze Nwosu Ibe, after a confidence vote passed on his traditional leadership. With this, the stage is set for a second term in office of the president of Ndi Eze Igbo N’uzoije (Eze Igbo in the Diaspora) for another three years.
The motion moved by Eze Igbo Gbagyi Kaduna, Eze Fred Awagu, was seconded by Eze Jerome Ikechukwu Nwagbara (Eze Igbo Kuje). After analyzing progress made by the traditional holders in the last three years, they endorsed his leadership qualities and re-nominated him unanimously for a second term in accordance with their constitution.
Eze Awagu in moving the motion extolled the sterling qualities of Eze Ibe, especially his ability to galvanise Ndigbo living and doing business outside Igbo heartland, in spite of series of provocations and attacks on their business concerns and homeland by herdsmen and other unseen forces.
He explained that apart from ensuring that Ndigbo outside Igbo land respected the tradition of their host communities, they never lost their mother cultural values, which is why he made sure Igbo Day is celebrated every year in all parts of Nigeria, through other Eze Ndigbo to toe the line of preserving the rich Igbo cultural values as well as the age long practice of dignity in labour among Ndigbo.
Supporting the motion, Eze Nwagbara, said all the Ndi Eze Igbo N’uzoije were unanimous in the endorsement of Eze Ibe Nwosu and commended him for his uprightness and for galvanizing Ndigbo, particularly those of them living in Abuja and also for ensuring that the Abuja natives accorded continued respect to Ndigbo in all spheres, including supporting them to aspire into political offices.
The highly elated Eze Ibe in his acceptance speech commended the body for the opportunity given him to serve them and promised not to relent in efforts at giving Ndigbo clear voice wherever they may be. He however, called on Ndigbo who live and operate outside Igbo land to respect the tradition of their hosts and also to respect the laws of the government operating wherever they find themselves.
He promised to set up a committee to articulate the problems being encountered by Ndigbo outside Igbo land that would eventually be presented to Ohaneze Ndigbo for proper deliberation and presentation to the Federal Government.
The Eze Ndigbo N’uzoije meeting was attended by Eze Ndigbo operating in states outside the Igbo heartland. The cultural promotion campaign of Eze Ndigbo outside the Igbo speaking states has recently buoyed Igbo cultural and traditional activities within and outside the country, especially the Iri Ji Ndigbo (New Yam festival) that has become a global celebration.