Matilda Omonaiye/
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, has disclosed that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has banned the coronation of individuals as “Eze Ndigbo” in foreign countries, citing escalating diplomatic tensions, community backlash and incidents of violence linked to the practice.
Speaking after presenting a brief at the “Imeobi Ohanaeze”, the apex decision-making body of the organisation, Ojukwu described the development as a necessary intervention to curb a growing trend she said was “worrisome” and increasingly damaging to Nigeria’s image abroad.
“It was a critical session as I presented a brief at ‘Imeobi Ohanaeze’, the apex decision-making body of Ohanaeze, regarding the worrisome practice of coronation of Igbo ‘kings’ overseas,” she said. “This practice has continued to trigger conflict, raising diplomatic tensions and sparking violence in the countries concerned.”
She recalled that similar controversies had previously emerged in Ghana, where diplomatic engagement was required to defuse tensions and reverse a “quit notice” issued against members of the Igbo community.
“We were faced with this situation in Ghana not too long ago, and it took high-level diplomatic interventions to reverse the quit notice and douse tensions,” she noted.
Ojukwu said a recent incident in South Africa’s Eastern Cape had further heightened concern, following the coronation of an “Eze Ndigbo na East London”, which she said triggered public outrage and violent protests.
“Now, another controversy of this nature recently escalated in Eastern Cape, South Africa, following the coronation of another ‘Eze Ndigbo na East London’,” she said.
“The event provoked outrage among local residents and authorities. The situation degenerated into violent protests, burning and looting, and destruction of at least 13 vehicles, as demonstrators opposed what they considered a challenge to local traditional authority structures.”
While reaffirming the right of diaspora communities to preserve their cultural identity, the minister stressed that such expressions must be balanced with sensitivity to host nations.
“There is no disputing the fact that diaspora Igbo communities have the right to promote their cultural heritage, but this has to take into consideration the sensibilities of host communities,” she said.
According to her, adopting traditional rulership titles in foreign countries is often misinterpreted and can fuel unnecessary tension.
“Assumption of traditional rulership roles in foreign lands is more often than not viewed as an affront by host populations,” she said. “The excessive display of wealth, opulence and flamboyance that accompany such events in countries where the average citizen is struggling to survive is downright insensitive.”
She suggested that community leaders abroad should adopt more universally acceptable titles.
“Leaders of Igbo communities in countries abroad may be called ‘Onyendu’, which means leader, and certainly more acceptable than crowning themselves kings or Ezes in another’s domain,” she added.
Ojukwu commended Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for taking a decisive stance on the matter, including the introduction of sanctions for defaulters.
“Kudos to Ohanaeze for weighing in more decisively on this matter with an outright ban on such titles outside Nigeria and the potential introduction of sanctions,” she said. “A few individuals cannot continue to expose others to risk of losing lives and property in pursuit of vainglory.”
She further stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was already activating diplomatic channels to address the situation and ensure wider compliance.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is activating diplomatic channels to manage this situation, and will circulate this injunction through our missions to host governments abroad,” she said.
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