By PETER ANOSIKE

The South East Council of Traditional Rulers (SECTR) has empowered the Association of Ndi Ndu Ndigbo Na Uzo Ije (Association of Igbo Leaders in Diaspora) to institute the position of Onyeisi Ndigbo (Leader of Igbos) in the local government areas and zonal levels in their states of residence outside Igbo land.

In a letter signed by His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Emmanuel Okeke, Chairman South East Council of Traditional Rulers and also the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Community Policing, the council said that such institution would help to bring leadership to the grassroots.

According to SECTR, the institution would also avail the leadership at the centre the opportunity to have sizeable workforce to administer the states.

The traditional rulers said that they are convinced that the approval would assist Association of Ndi Ndu Ndigbo in Diaspora in the production of a framework/policy that would suit their leadership style for a better Ndigbo of their dream.

The letter reads in part: ?Your letter dated 20-1-2025 wherein you requested for approval to institute the position of Onyeisi Ndigbo both at the LGAs and zonal levels of your state of residence has been considered to be a right step in the right direction.

?It is worthy to note that the position of Onyeisi Ndigbo at both the LGA and zonal levels will not only bring leadership to the grassroots but will proper cohesion and better understanding of the needs, challenges and problems of the people while ensuring total inclusiveness and the needed sense of belonging.

?It will also avail the leadership at the centre the opportunity to have a sizeable work force to administer the states.

?Consequently, you are by this letter granted the approval to institute the position of Onyeisi Ndigbo at both the LGA and zonal levels with men of proven and impeccable character, credibility, integrity and maximum loyalty .They are to adopt the title Onyeisi Ndigbo.

?I am quite convinced that this approval will assist you in production a framework /policy that will suit your leadership style for a better Ndigbo of our dream.?

In his reaction, the National Chairman of Association of Ndi Ndu Ndigbo in Diaspora, High Chief Aloy Obi, expressed his appreciation to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers for the honour bestowed on him to organise Igbos in Diaspora.

?High Chief Obi who is also the Onye Ndu Ndigbo in Ibadan in particular and Oyo State in general promised not to disappoint on the responsibility that he has been trusted with.?

According to him, ?Igbo as republicans can only be lead with sincerity and truth, adding that he is going to practice leadership by example.

?My belief is that you cannot rule over Igbos. But you can lead them and before they would agree to follow you, they must make sure that you are going to lead with sincerity and truth. The reason is because most Igbos are very comfortable in their various homes, so they are not following you because they are hungry or looking for what they would eat or drink. It is because of this that some people are saying that Igbos are difficult to rule. The reason is because if they see that your ways are not straight or that you are not honest, they would stop following you. I want to commend our highly respected fathers, that is the South East Council of Traders Rulers for the responsibility that they have given to me and the other Ndi Ndu Ndigbo Na Uzo Ije to install Ndi Isi Ndigbo in the local government areas and zonal levels of our residence and according the mandate given to us, I want to assure them that we would look for people of integrity, people who would not bring shame and bad name to Ndigbo in different states outside Igbo land. The time has come for Ndigbo in different states outside Igbo land to start getting it right. It is time we begin to speak with one voice. Igbos are known to be their brothers keepers. Igwebuike, strength is might is our slogan, because a people united cannot be defeated. So, with this mandate and recognition, it is going to be a new dawn for Ndigbo everywhere in the world.?

In his contribution, the National Secretary of Association of Ndi Ndu Ndigbo in Diaspora, High Chief Iheonu George, said that the authority to install or appoint Onye Isi Ndigbo across local government areas within their areas of domicile by the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers is a landmark development aimed at preserving the sanctity and unity of Igbo traditional leadership.

High Chief George, who is also the Onye Ndu Ndigbo of Osun State, said that under the new arrangement, each state in the diaspora would have one recognized Onyendu who would serve as the cultural head and overall representative of the Igbo people in that state.

He said that at the local government level, they would appoint the Onye Isi Ndigbo who would function as the grassroots cultural and community leader, working in harmony with the state's Onyendu and the traditional institutions.

?This structured leadership model is designed to curb the unchecked proliferation of titles, prevent conflicts of authority, and maintain cultural discipline among Igbo communities, especially in urban and rural settlements where Ndigbo reside and where misrepresentation of leadership titles has become a concern. This move reflects our commitment to fostering cultural coherence, preserving Igbo identity, and ensuring that titles of leadership are earned, recognized, and uniformly respected.

?We, the Association of Ndindu Ndigbo Nuzo Ije want to use this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers for this endorsement and pledged to uphold the dignity, discipline, and integrity expected of those appointed under this new structure.?

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