Igbo youths flay hustle over Eze Igbo title
From CHUKS ONUOHA, Umuahia.
Monday February 27, 2012
Ojukwu
Igbo youths have condemned the bickering in some parts of Igboland, over who should be crowned the next Eze Igbo after the demise of the former Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu.
They warned that on no account should anybody parade himself as Eze Igbo when the great people of Igboland still have a long period to mourn their departed Eze Igbo, Dim Odimegwu-Ojukwu.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their recent meeting in Owerri, Imo State, Coalition of Igbo Youth Assembly, CIYA, who spoke through its President-General, Mr Innocent Madu, said that it is a sabotage that some people are claiming to have been crowned Eze Igbo when the remains of the departed Eze Igbo is yet to be committed to his ancestors.
They condemned the manner in which some persons in Igboland are going about their interest in becoming Eze Igbo, (Igbo leader) stating that it amounts to sabotaging the respect that is due to the departed Igbo leader.
According to them , Igbos are known for their strong beliefs, norms and uncompromising values and would not allow the evil fly to perch on the sacred ointment of their serene culture that is widely honored.
The group said that it will be cardinally unruly, ruthless and uncultured as well as morally appalling for any one to claim to have been crowned the new Eze Igbo when the burial of the departed one is yet to be conducted and without the collective agreement of all Igbos.
They members also said that the issue concerning the succession of Eze Igbo throne should be suspended six months from the date of burial of Ojukwu, after which it would have been said that he has been properly mourned.
They said that when such a period lapses, Igbos would have wisely utilized the period of six months for proper scrutiny of a worthy Igbo son whose antecedents and precedents are capable of moving the Igbo race to a very enviable and united level .
“In consonance with the death and mourning rites of our hero, all Igbo sons and daughters, both at home and in diaspora should shut down their businesses from 8 am till 2.pm on March 2 burial to give deserved honour to our fallen warrior”, they stated.
They affirmed that any disregard to their resolution would amount to gross provocation and be treated as such no matter whose ox is gored.
Other leaders of the group who signed the communiqué included Ajuzie J. Chibuike,(Secretary-General), Dr Ndubuisi Emeh (Director of Operations), Hon Ugochukwu Ibeku (Welfare) and Hon Ezeribe E. Ikechukwu (Information) .
The Coalition of Igbo Youth Assembly is an affiliate of World Assembly of Youths whose membership cuts across the globe.
