By Daud Olatunji
On January 17, this year, the leadership of an
association of Igbo Communities of Lagos and
Ogun states led by Ohaneze Ndigbo Ogun State,
Ogbueti Nkeze paid a visit to a former President,
Olusegun Obasanjo, to seek his guidance on the
then fast approaching presidential election. The
Igbo President in the state Nkeze said; ‘’The visit
was meant to identify with the former President
and seek his guidance in the next political
dispensation.’’During the visit, the traditional head of the Igbo, Willy Ejimkonye, prayed for the Obama nko family before conferring the title of Enya Ndigbo which literally means ‘Friend of the Igbos’ in Ogun
State. However, on July 19,2015, shortly before
the elections, the Igbo community in Ogun State
decried what it called the marginalization of
Ndigbo in the politics of Ogun.
The Igbo had threatened to vote only for
politicians who would improve their welfare,
alleging that Igbo people were being excluded in
the politics, and other important sectors of
governance in Ogun State despite their sizeable
contribution to the economic development of the
state.
The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ogun State ,
Ogbuefi Austine Nkeze, noted that they had been
living in harmony with their host communities. He
said: “It is indisputable that Ndigbo constitute
over thirty per cent of the state population. Our
contribution and participation in the political,
economic and social engineering of the state is
well known to the whole world.
“But we have been continuously marginalized in
the scheme of things in Ogun State. We are just
remembered a few days to general elections,
when some politicians would visit us as
individuals or minor groups and after collecting
our votes, abandon us until another four years. In
fact, we become important Nigerians in Ogun
state once in four years”.
Meanwhile, most people who spoke with
Vanguard on whether it is right or wrong to have
Eze Ndigbo in the state supported the idea of
having Eze Ndigbo in the state.
There is a need for Eze Ndigbo – Respondents
According to Ogochukwu Ogechukwu , a trader,
“It is important for us to have Eze Ndigbo in
Yorubaland so that he can help us by
communicating with the Oba of Yorubaland. Also,
another trader, Mrs Odimegu Blessing, said; “Eze
Ndigbo in Yorubaland is representing the Igbos in
Yorubaland. He serves as a delegate for the
people since we (the Igbos) cannot go straight to
the king for help.
“On other hand, when Ogun state needs help of
the Igbos, they go through the Eze Ndigbo for
assistance”.
Mrs Ofonedu Ify, a businesswoman/computer
engineer, said “It is important we have Eze
ndigbo in Yorubaland and likewise Obas and
Emirs in any land for easy channel of
communication in the society. For instance,
during elections, such representative can help to
mobilize his people in the community. The Obas
, Emirs or Eze Ndigbo in a community can also
help to settle quarrels among other ethnic
groups”.
A transporter , Adebayo Ademuyiwa, in his
reaction to the poser, said “ I don’t see anything
wrong in that. As long as he does not go beyond
his boundary”. Oluniyi Joseph, a trader, said;
“Eze Ndigbo should be allowed. He is just the
Igbos, representative in Yorubaland”.
Jumoke Olaseyinde said “ Eze ndigbo should be
given the opportunity to rule over his people in
Yorubaland as in London , they will allow the
other ethnic groups to rule in their
jurisdiction. Olatunji Stephen, said: “In my
opinion, Eze Ndigbo should be allowed to rule
over his people in Yorubaland as long as there is
peace in the society.
Comrade Dotun Opaleye, chairman, National
Association of Nigerian students, NANS, said:
“For the sake of national integration and
harmony, I will support Eze ndigbo in Yorubaland.
and vice- versa.
A business man at Panseke, Mr Joseph Eze
disclosed that; ‘’In normal circumstances,
traditional ruler is an institution established
before the colonial administration . Having Eze
Ndigbo in Ogun state will make one to be able to
have knowledge of culture and tradition of Igbo in
Ogun State.
Mr Ibrahim Atanda , a businessman, said: “There
is nothing bad about it,because we have more
than one Igbo man here in Yoruba land. ‘’If
anything happens between Igbo men, a Yoruba
king may not know how to go about it like an
Igbo king because they are from the same
place. “It is good because their importance is to
coordinate and guild their people here.
Rejection of Eze Ndigbo
A businesswoman,Grace Ajiase, said “Yorubas
should not allow the Igbos to be king in
Yorubaland. They should stay in their states and
rule over their own people”. Mr Paul Weto, a civil
servant, said: “I would not support the Igbo Oba
in Yorubaland”. A retired civil servant, Mr Dibia
said; “ Having an Eze Ndigbo in Ogun State does
not reduce the power of a Yoruba leader, and has
not come to disturb the authority in Abeokuta. “It
is a good thing because I have travelled a lot,
and I have seen Yoruba in Igbo land as Obas”
Source :www.vanguardngr.com

OK

Dawn things.

yawns and run out of thread.

Everyone should learn to respect his host.

Another flogging loading/doing gym .Interesting days ahead. Can't wait

eleko1:
Another flogging loading/doing gym .Interesting days ahead. Can't wait

Rest it. ^^^

Crieff:


Rest it. ^^^

u immigrants constitute a nuisance to ur host community. If u can't abide by the tradition of ur immediate community, u should go and parade ur Eze nd Igbo in ur Biafra(*East Sudan*) simple

Their cup will soon full in Ogun,Lagos,,,,,

lovinggirl101:
Everyone should learn to respect his host.

yes, by sending the hosts to benin republic like the saintly fulanis are doing.

eleko1:
u immigrants constitute a nuisance to ur host community. If u can't abide by the tradition of ur immediate community, u should go and parade ur Eze nd Igbo in ur Biafra(*East Sudan*) simple

A ti gbo.

#Tibe.