Umbrella Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has okeyed the pro-Biafra protests sweeping through the South-East and South-South but advised the protesting youths to make sure that they continue to do so in a peaceful manner even as efforts are made to take care of their grievances.

This was part of decisions taken at the special meeting of Igbo cultural organisations in Lagos with the President-General of Ohanaeze Worldwide, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, on November 15 and 16.

A Vanguard report quoted Chief Guy Ikokwu, Second Republic politician and a member of Imeobi, the Ohanaeze inner caucus, who was also at the meeting and signed the communique, as saying: “The meeting considered the burning issues of the nomenclature of some Igbo cultural leaders and the current Biafran demonstrations by our youths.

“The meeting resolved that youths should maintain their current non-violent posture, but should ensure that no miscreants for whatever reason financial or whatever take the laws into their hands pending a resolution of the crisis.”

The report said that Ohanaeze urged governors of the South-East states and other stakeholders and leaders to ensure the immediate release of Radio Biafra Director/Leader of Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), Prince Nnamdi Kanu, who remains detained by the Department of State Security (DSS) in defiance of court order.

The governors were also urged to immediately canvass with the Presidency for the immediate restructuring of the country into true federalism as advocated by the 2014 National Confab, the report said.

It also quoted Chief Ikokwu as saying: “On the issue of the Eze Ndigbo, it was agreed that the word ‘Eze’ is a common title in Igbo land which is generally reserved for those who had been initiated culturally. Such people attach the word ‘Eze’ which means ‘leader’ just like the Hausas in the diaspora call their leaders ‘Seriki’.

“However, the cultural name ‘Eze’ does not mean the person is a traditional ruler in any of the towns or villages in Igbo land. Only those who have been crowned as traditional rulers can be referred to as Igwe or Obi or even Eze of a territory. No other person can use such appellations.”

The communique directed that no Eze Ndigbo or Eze Igbo or Eze Udo in the Diaspora like Lagos and other territories outside Igbo land can be referred to as His Royal Highness or His Royal Majesty or otherwise. Any contravention will be visited by severe sanctions including ostracism. They are therefore only cultural leaders, not kings.

•Photo shows Ohanaeze President-General, Gary Enwo-Igariwey.

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