Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo has formally proscribed the conferment and use of the title “Eze Ndigbo” outside Igbo land. The decision was announced on Thursday by the organisation’s President-General, Senator Azuta Mbata, during the Ohanaeze Imeobi and General Assembly held in Enugu.
The move follows extensive consultations and a joint meeting between the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and the leadership of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers. Mbata stated that the organisation would communicate its position to state governments and diplomatic missions globally.
“Southeast is proscribing the award of the title of Eze Ndigbo outside of Igbo land. Anybody who is being awarded that type of title anywhere outside of Igbo land is on his own. It is unknown to the Igbo people,” Mbata declared. He emphasised that the title, when conferred outside the South-East, would no longer be recognised by the Igbo people.
The President-General further disclosed that consultations were ongoing with traditional rulers across Igbo land to determine appropriate sanctions for defaulters. “We will determine, in consultation with the kings of Igbo land, what the punishment will be for anybody who goes against this position, and that punishment will be implemented at your village level,” he said.
Enforcement of such sanctions would be carried out through local structures, including town unions and community leadership. “Your hometown, your town union will be under injunction to implement that punishment, but we are going to declare that punishment after due consultation,” Mbata added.
The declaration marks a significant move by Ohanaeze to assert cultural authority and standardise traditional titles among Igbo communities both within Nigeria and in the diaspora. Meanwhile, the climax of the meeting was the adoption of the reviewed Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo by the General Assembly. A motion for the adoption, moved by the retired Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma, received overwhelming endorsement.
