Why campaign against Eze Ndigbo title should be ignored — Anozie

Due to some unedifying struggle for the title of Eze Ndigbo in some parts of the country especially in the South West zone, it was suggested that the title should be banned so as to quell the festering ember of disunity among Igbo, this, however, does not go down well with the Vice President of

council of Ezendigbos in Diaspora(Southern Nigeria),  Dr. Alex Anozie. In this interview, he adduces reason why the call should be ignored. Excerpts:

Yoruba hospitality incomparable

We, Ndigbo residing in Yorubaland which is in the Federal Republic of our great country Nigeria, appreciate so much the wonderful hospitality of the Yorubas in accomodating all other Ethnic groups in their domain very peacefully. All Nigerians of other Ethnic groups as well appreciate the fact that we have all made tremendous contributions together to bring peace, harmony and development within the whole Southwest, Lagos and Nigeria in general.

Ndigbo and the people of the SouthWest and Lagos have lived peacefully for centuries, we are also sure and certain that Yorubas and other Nigerians who reside in the Southeast part of Nigeria are feeling at home over there. We hereby appeal that wherever and whenever a mistake is made by anybody or group in our cordial relationship, we should look into it without any political or ethnic bias whatsoever and get it resolved amicably like brothers and sisters of one country Nigeria.

Eze Ndigbo in Oyo State

We give thanks to the Almighty God for his abundant mercy towards all of us, both Ndigbo in Ibadan and Oyo State and our very hospitable, the Ibadan people and the whole Yoruba race. We are thanking God for allowing us yet another opportunity to celebrate the New Yam festival and every other food items that God created and gave to man to eat and live.

We are glad that we are celebrating it all in peace and in good health, thanks to God and the Oyo State government under the leadership of His Excellency. Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi. Under this government everybody residing in the state is enjoying the atmosphere of peace and tranquility. We are also thanking God and the federal government whom since this very little period they came into power Nigerians are beginning to see things that seemed so difficult before now moving on.

I am particularly happy because of those suggestions I have made through my write-ups in newspapers in the past and present are been applied, whether it was through my own suggestion or other people’s own I am happy they are at work now. I continue to call on the Federal and State governments to agree to form committee of ethnic’s groups head in every state and be working with them.

Peace and harmony between them will work wonders because Nigerians listen to their head anywhere they are. Guns, tear gas and all other weapons may not easily get the same result. Thank God the Oyo state government has started by constituting and  inaugurating such a committee which myself the head of Ndigbo in Oyo state is one of the members. I congratulate the government of Oyo state for that feat.

I am using this opportunity to assure both the state government and Kabiyesi Olubadan of Ibadanland of our unalloyed support and cooperation towards the continued peace and development of the whole state.

I thank my people Ndigbo, particularly the majority who have remained steadfast in their faith in God Almighty and me their servant all these years, I mean those who refused to be bought over with porridge and deceit. I thank all of us for the maintenance of peace and harmony with our host community and every other ethnic group in the state.

Appreciates Governor Ajimobi’s  love

Now let me use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, the Executive governor of Oyo State Senator Abiola Ajimobi for donating to us two brand new buses for our use, we appreciate that a lot even though that one of the buses was given to our opponent brothers who refused to allow the application of due process in our affairs, they even refused to abide by the court judgment but they are still our brothers and we believe that one day, just one day the Almighty God will speak to them in a language they will understand and they will come back to our fold as we become one family of Ndigbo again.

Great country

Finally I am appealing to the good people of Yoruba race in particular and all Nigerians residing in this part of the country that whenever or wherever mistake is made by any ethnic group maybe against another, let us through our leaders try and sit down and talk it over with all sense of maturity as people of one great country Nigeria. I think it is best we do it that way and continue to live in peace and love for one another than applying quick and immediate action that may not give us the best result we all need in our country. Through dialogue we can achieve much.

On Eze Ndigbo, Deji of Akure crisis

 Everybody is now aware of the misunderstanding going on in Akure between his Majesty, the Deji of Akure and Ndigbo residing there. Ndigbo and the Yoruba have for centuries lived peacefully together. Let us quietly and carefully look into the matter and find out any mistake made anywhere and get it resolved maturely and peacefully.

We, all ethnic groups leaders and association in Nigeria should always use our positions to foster only peace, love and unity among our different groups. That is what we need in this great country now more than any other thing. On the Akure issue, let us talk less and get it resolved amicably. The press too should help in this area by not blowing out of proportion the whole issue. Whoever that made a mistake should be pardoned because it is only God that is perfect in everything he does. We should all be peace loving Nigerians at all time. Let me once more appreciate the immeasurable hospitality of our host South West brothers and sisters while it is true that Ndigbo in the whole of South West and Nigeria have contributed immensely to the development and growth of every part of this great country.

Forces against Eze Ndigbo leadership

I can see some forces that are not happy about the cordial relationship that existed between Ndigbo and Yoruba for so long and they are doing everything to thwart it but God Almighty will never allow that. I am aware that some people who lost out in the struggle to be in this our Igbo leadership position may be having hands in this title  confusion of recent.

Igbo unfairly treated

I am aware of Oba Yoruba in Abuja, Oba Yoruba in Kano, Oba Yoruba in Kaduna, Oba Yoruba in Owerri, Abakaliki and so on. So I am appealing that ordinary title (nomenclature) should not be an impediment to our long existing relationship.

I am calling on all Ndigbo in the South West and Nigeria as a whole to remain peaceful and law abiding with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as our guide and respect and have love for one another with our host communities.

Obey court judgment

Let all and sundry no matter whoever we are obey court orders and judgments. Let me come in here to appreciate our Nigerian Press, they are doing wonderfully well as they have helped in sustaining our democracy but while appreciating them, I want to appeal to them to always say no to anything that will make them lose the public confidence in them.

For example,  some newspapers even electronic media are fond of dishing out to the public information that are not very factual, even in many occasions promoting what the courts have said should not be promoted. They should please put a stop to that because that is another very easy way of promoting crisis in our society. We all Nigerians must join hands together in promoting only those things that bring peace and harmony in our country.

Wherever we reside we all should join hands together in condemning evil and anything that brings setback to our country Nigeria.

In my position as the head of Igbos in Ibadan and whole Oyo state, also the Vice President of council of Ezendigbo in Diaspora(Southern Nigeria) I believe that we need peace and harmony everywhere in Nigeria.

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