By PETER ANOSIKE

The South East Council of Traditional Rulers (SECTR) has insisted that, in order to preserve and protect Igbo cultural heritage from abuse, no Igbo leader outside Igbo land should go by the title of Eze Ndigbo.

In a communique issued after its well -attended delegates’ meeting, which was held in Enugu, on Thursday, December 11, 2025, signed by the state chairmen of the council in the five South East states as well as their leader, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the monarchs reaffirmed their decision that Igbo leaders in Diaspora shall use the title Ndindu Ndigbo, and that is sacrosanct.

The Chairman, SECTR, Eze Dr. Emmanuel Okeke, said the decision is aimed at protecting the sacredness and sanctity of the title of ‘Eze’, which is reserved for recognized rulers within the Southeast region.

Eze Okeke, who is also the chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, said: “The decision is to preserve Igbo culture to avoid abuse, political maneuvering, and general disrespect of the traditional ‘Eze’ stool.”

Furthermore, he said that ‘Eze’ is a sacred title for “recognized monarchs within the South East, and requires specific traditional rites and governance,” not honorary titles or awards.

While commending the resolution, the national chairman of Ndindu Ndigbo N’Uzo Ije (Council of Igbo leaders in Diaspora), High Chief Aloy Obi, who was also one of the delegates at the meeting, lauded the royal majesties on their firm, courageous, and principled stand on the sensitive issue of the appropriate title of Igbo leaders outside Igbo land.

High Chief Obi, who is also the Onyendu Ndigbo in Oyo State, said the decision of the SECTR to uphold the title of Onyendu Ndigbo, in place of Eze Ndigbo, in spite of the pressure and lobbying to do otherwise, demonstrated uncommon integrity, uprightness, and fidelity to the sanctity of Igbo cultural institutions.

“I want to start by commending the South East Council of Traders Rulers for refusing to bow to the pressure of allowing some people to be answering Eze Ndigbo outside Igbo land. That simply shows that they are people of integrity, courage, and uprightness who are out to defend and, also, protect Igbo customs and traditions.

“This position has further reinforced confidence in their leadership as a people who are guided by principle, rather than sentiment or convenience. By stoutly defending the traditional structure and spiritual essence of Igbo chieftaincy titles, the royal majesties have preserved the dignity, integrity, unity and cultural heritage of the Igbo people for present and future generations.

“Such a leadership quality reflects true royalty and a deep commitment to the values entrusted and expected of traditional rulers. Posterity would forever be kind to all of them for the legacies that they have left in the sands of time,” Obi said.

In his contribution, John Greg Ezebuadi, who led the delegation from Lagos State, noted that they went to Enugu based on their resolution of 2010, where they met and agreed on the title of Onyeisi Ndigbo, but the SECTR insisted that the title of Igbo leaders in Diaspora should be Ndindu Ndigbo.

However, the leader of the Igbo community in Mushin, Lagos State, Peter Umeh, who was part of Ezebuadi’s delegation, said, previously, he was answering to the title Eze Ndigbo of Mushin, but, after the resolution, he has decided to abide by the decision of the SECTR and change to Onye Ndu Ndigbo in Mushin.

He said the council of traditional rulers comprises the custodians of Igbo culture and tradition in Igboland and, as such, he cannot go against their decision.

“The Bible said that we shall obey our fathers and mothers, so that our days would be long here on earth. The South East Council of Traditional Rulers is made up of our fathers and since they have taken a decision, I cannot go against it,” Umeh Igbo land said.

Other delegates from outside Igbo land, who attended the meeting, came from Edo, Ogun, Ondo and Oyo states.