• Kick against induction of non-native
Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Tension is building up in the ancient Onitsha Kingdom over the proposed induction of an America-based indigene of Umuoji, in Idemili North Local Government Area, into the ancient and prestigious Agbalanze Cultural Organisation.
Agbalanze is the institutional body of the Ozo title holders in Onitsha, and the people revere the Nze na Ozo title in Onitsha a great deal.
Daily Sun gathered that the Ozo title and initiation into the Agbalanze is the exclusive preserve of the Onitsha indigenes, with high moral integrity, while the ceremony consists of about 12 rigorous steps with its attendant financial implications.
Currently, there is heightened tension over the planned induction of the non-indigene into the fold.
The planned initiation, Daily Sun gathered, has thrown up two camps in Onitsha: those opposed to the move, who see it as a desecration of the people’s tradition and culture, with attendant consequences, and those in support, who see it as a welcome development and a sign of the dynamics of culture and modern civilisation.
As at the time of filing this report, some people unable to stomach what is going on over the whole matter have threatened court action, not only to challenge the validity of the planned initiation, but, also, to get an injunction restraining the Agbalanze Onitsha from going ahead in the ceremony.
Some Onitsha Ado Youths, who spoke to Daily Sun on condition of anonymity, threatened to disrupt Ofala 2018 festival if the initiation of the Umuoji man, scheduled for tomorrow and Friday takes place.
An executive member of Onitsha Improvement Union, Akunwafor Osemenam, told Daily Sun that the planned initiation runs contrary to Article 4, subsection C of the constitution of Agbalanze Onitsha, which states: “No person shall be admitted into the membership, unless he is a bonafide indigene of Onitsha.”
He said the youths, who are vehement in opposing the planned initiation, were speaking the minds of many elders in the community, who are against such “desecration of the people’s culture, but afraid to talk openly because of victimisation.”
When contacted for comments, the Obi of Onitsha, Agbogidi, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, declined request for a physical appointment with the reporter and told Daily Sun on phone: “We don’t discuss our culture on the pages of newspaper. Whatever is happening in Onitsha is our business.”