The Ohaneze Ndigbo, Niger State Chapter, has renewed the ban on traditional Igbo titles outside the Igbo speaking states of Nigeria.
The newly elected officials of the apex pan-Igbo cultural group in the state said this was in line with the South-East Traditional Rulers’ Council position abolishing Eze Ndigbo title outside the Igbo speaking states.
This is contained in a statement signed on Monday in Minna by the BOT/Elders Council Chairman, Chief Joseph Chukwuemeka Onuigbo, and the President of Ohaneze-Ndigbo, Niger chapter, Chief Emmanuel Ezeugo.
They said the preferred title is ‘Onye-ndu’, which means leader in Igbo.
The new leadership, therefore, gave three months to any one operating under the nomenclature of “Eze Ndigbo” to adopt the new order of to avoid sanctions.
The Ohaneze Ndigbo Elders Council also announced the abolition of the use of the title “Royal Highness” and “Royal Majesty” among all the Igbo title holders in Niger.
“Consequently, any titled holder of Igbo extraction in any part of the state who failed to comply with the new order, ‘Onye-ndu’, will not be accorded traditional title rights after expiration of the three-month deadline.
“In line with the South East traditional rulers’ Council abolishment of Eze ndigbo title outside Igbo land, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Niger state chapter, wishes to call on members to adhere to the new order,” the group said.
Meanwhile, a new leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo has emerged to pilot the affairs of the apex Igbo cultural association in Niger state for the next four years.
At the election, which took place in Bida, Bida Local Government Area, over the weekend, Dr Martins Orji emerged as President while Barrister Sebastien Ogbogo was elected as the Secretary.
Among others elected were Mr Dan Okoro (treasurer) and Ikechukwu Agbo (auditor).
