The South East Council of Traditional Rulers’ decision to proscribe the installation of Eze Igbo titles outside the Igbo homeland has continued to garner support, with the South East Coalition for Good Governance (SECG) hailing the move as a bold step towards preserving Igbo culture and heritage.
In a statement issued in Enugu and jointly signed by its leaders, Remigus Anyanwu and Udoka Offonry, and made available to INNONEWS, SECG commended the ban, describing it as a necessary measure to protect the sanctity of Igbo traditions and customs.
They noted that the practice of installing Eze Igbo in diaspora communities often undermines the authority of traditional rulers in the Southeast and creates unnecessary divisions among the Igbo people.
“The decision by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers is commendable and long overdue. It is a bold move to safeguard the sanctity of our traditions and customs, which have been trivialized by the proliferation of unauthorized traditional titles outside Igboland,” the statement read.
SECG argued that the emergence of Eze Igbo titles in Diaspora often leads to confusion and misrepresentation of Igbo culture.
According to the group, these self-styled traditional rulers lack the legitimacy and historical grounding to represent the Igbo nation, leading to discord and fragmentation among Igbo communities abroad.
The group also emphasized that the institution of Eze Igbo outside the Southeast is often exploited for personal gains, with individuals using the title to advance political or economic interests rather than serve the collective good of the Igbo people. This, they said, contradicts the essence of Igbo traditional leadership, which is rooted in service, respect for elders, and communal values.
“Allowing the proliferation of such titles outside the Southeast not only diminishes the respect accorded to genuine traditional rulers but also distorts the cultural identity of the Igbo. We must ensure that our traditions remain sacred and are not subjected to ridicule or exploitation,” SECG stated.
The coalition further commended the South East Council of Traditional Rulers for taking a firm stand on the matter, noting that the proscription aligns with efforts to promote unity among the Igbo people. They urged other stakeholders to support the decision, stressing that a unified and culturally grounded Igbo nation is crucial for the region’s development.
SECG also called on Igbo communities in the diaspora to respect the directive and channel their energies towards initiatives that promote cultural awareness and unity. They argued that efforts should focus on strengthening the bonds between Igbo communities abroad and their ancestral homeland rather than creating parallel institutions that undermine traditional authority.
“The preservation of our cultural heritage is a collective responsibility. We must all rise to the occasion to protect what makes us uniquely Igbo. This decision is not just about banning titles; it’s about ensuring that our culture remains intact for future generations,” the group concluded.