Why Igbo Traditional Leadership in Lagos Must Be Regulated,

‘Okafor has brought peace, grassroots orientation to Ohanaeze Lagos’

By Tony Udemba

Onyendu Ndigbo in Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Onyendu Dr Omenife Olikenyi, has commended the leadership of Chief Leonard Okafor, popularly known as Oba Ojoto, for what he described as a new culture of peace, reconciliation and grassroots mobilisation in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.

Omenife, who is also the Ator Eje of Ijanikin Kingdom, spoke in an exclusive interview with Tony Udemba, Editor, OhanaezeLagosNews at his expansive Royal Palace in Oto-Awori LCDA.

A native of Lilu in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Omenife was the pioneer Chairman of Lilu Development Union, Satellite Town, and is currently Chairman of Lilu Progressives Union, Lagos. He is also the Patron of the Masquerades Group in Anambra State.

In the interview, he reflected on his long involvement in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, the leadership of Chief Leonard Okafor, the rotational grassroots general assembly meetings and the emerging structure for the regulation of Igbo traditional leadership in Lagos.

On his journey into Ohanaeze Ndigbo:

Omenife said his involvement in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos dates back to 2003, when he served as Traditional Prime Minister to the then Ezeigbo of Ojo Local Government Area, Eze Timothy Okeke.

He also served as Chairman of Alaba International Market, Ojo-Alaba, for eight years before being crowned Eze Udo, a position he said subsequently became known as Onyendu Ndigbo in Oto-Awori LCDA.

According to him, he had remained actively involved in Ohanaeze affairs and once headed the electoral committee that conducted an election involving Chief Leonard Okafor and Chief Nzewi.

He recalled that although Okafor won the election, the aftermath generated disagreements that polarised the leadership of the organisation.

Omenife said Chief Okafor subsequently demonstrated what he described as a commitment to peace by making personal sacrifices at different periods to prevent the crisis from escalating.

He said a similar situation occurred during subsequent electoral disputes involving Barrister Fabian Onwughalu and later Chief Solomon Ogbonna.

“This time around, Chief Okafor did his best by reconciling the leadership of the two warring factions led by Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene and Chief Sunday Ossai.

“I give kudos to him for ensuring that peace and unity returned to the leadership and membership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos.

“By going from house to house to reconcile people, I believe Chief Leonard Okafor has paid his dues and deserves the support of Ndigbo,” he said.

‘Okafor is a leader with outstanding charisma’

Speaking on the leadership style of Chief Leonard Okafor, Omenife described him as a humble man and a leader with considerable grassroots appeal.

He recalled Okafor’s years as Chairman of Alaba International Market, saying his leadership record there remained an important part of his public profile.

“Chief Okafor is the kind of leader who can humbly visit the homes of members to preach peace and reconciliation, irrespective of his personality or status.

“These are some of the qualities that make him a true leader and, simply put, a leader par excellence,” he said.

On the LASU General Assembly hosted by the Ojo Zone:

Onyendu Omenife described the turnout at the recent Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos general assembly held at the Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Lagos State University, Ojo, as impressive.

While acknowledging that there were some organisational challenges, he commended the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos for his leadership.

“I must commend Chief Leo Okafor for leading by example and ensuring that the meeting went well. I also like the energy and new orientation he is bringing into Ohanaeze,” he said.

He, however, warned against turning traditional leadership positions into avenues for seeking financial favours from politicians.

“Traditional leadership is not an institution for making money. You should have made your money before seeking a traditional leadership position.

“Jumping from one politician’s house to another in search of money does not speak well of the traditional institution. No wonder people sometimes make a mockery of us.

“That, in my view, was one of the reasons for the change in nomenclature from Ezeigbo to Onyendu Ndigbo,” he said.

‘Rotational meetings will bring Ohanaeze closer to the people’

Omenife also praised the rotational hosting of monthly general assembly meetings across different parts of Lagos.

He said the initiative would help take Ohanaeze closer to the grassroots and give more members a sense of belonging.

“I am personally amazed by the leadership disposition of Chief Leo Okafor, particularly his grassroots approach of taking the monthly general assembly meetings to different communities.

“By doing this, he is reminding everyone that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the apex socio-cultural organisation for Ndigbo wherever they may find themselves.

“He wants every Igbo man and woman to identify with Ohanaeze and participate in its activities. He is giving everyone a voice and, most importantly, building a lasting legacy for the organisation.

“I believe future leaders will find this foundation useful and will be able to sustain it,” he said.

According to him, the new orientation has also attracted the interest of people from other ethnic groups who, he said, have shown increasing willingness to associate with Ohanaeze.

Omenife expressed the belief that the leadership approach would eventually change the way Ohanaeze was perceived and operated in Lagos.

On proliferation of Igbo traditional leadership structures

The Onyendu said efforts were already underway to bring greater order to the Igbo traditional leadership institution in Lagos.

He disclosed that he and other traditional leaders had undergone screening and interviews conducted under the auspices of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers.

According to him, the process culminated in the presentation of certificates of Onyendu by the Chairman of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and Eze-Imo, HRM Eze Dr Emmanuel Okeke.

He said the traditional leaders were preparing for a formal inauguration in Lagos on September 26, which, according to him, would further formalise their status before the Lagos State Government, traditional institutions in Lagos and the wider public.

He also disclosed that the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Dr Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, was expected in Lagos on October 3 to formally present us to the Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

“All these developments show that the traditional leadership institution of Ndigbo in the diaspora is no longer a child’s play,” Omenife said.

‘There should be no permanent Onyendu Gburugburu Lagos’

On the question of traditional leaders who had yet to undergo the certification process, Omenife said those interested in obtaining certification would have to comply with the established process.

He disclosed that work was already ongoing on proposed bye-laws to regulate the Onyendu Ndigbo traditional leadership institution in Lagos.

According to him, the emerging structure would not provide for a permanent or self-appointed “Onyendu Ndigbo Gburugburu Lagos.”

“Rather, what we may have is a tenure-based Onyendu Ndigbo in Lagos and a Chairman of the Council of Onyendu Ndigbo for a fixed term of three years.

“At the end of the tenure, the person must leave office without an hour’s delay.

“As we work towards achieving this, I strongly believe it will bring the much-needed sanity into the traditional leadership institution of Ndigbo in Lagos State,” he said.

Omenife further stated that the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers had communicated with traditional rulers from other parts of Nigeria concerning the recognition of Igbo traditional leaders in the diaspora.

He maintained that, under the emerging framework, claims to Igbo traditional leadership would increasingly be subjected to the certification process.

On his advice to Ndigbo in Lagos, Omenife urged members of the community to embrace mutual respect, humility and responsible leadership.

“Personally, I believe strongly in the aphorism that respect begets respect. That is what I practise and live by.

“I don’t discriminate, and I don’t carry myself in a way that intimidates people around me. I respect everyone, both young and old, and that is the same respect I receive from them.

“But when you respect someone and that person fails to reciprocate, leave him and forge ahead,” he said.

He also called on Igbo leaders to move away from what he described as excessive dependence on politicians for financial support.

According to him, Ndigbo should rather support leaders and individuals who demonstrate the capacity and willingness to contribute meaningfully to community development.

“The idea of running helter-skelter in pursuit of scraps and cash from politicians diminishes our image as responsible people and must be discouraged.

“It also speaks ill of our personal and societal values.

“Rather, we should financially support those we believe have the capacity and willingness to bring development to our society and improve people’s lives,” Omenife said.