The Council of Igbo Leaders in Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has expressed its appreciation for the efforts of Oniba Ekun of Iba Kingdom, Oba Sulamon Adeshina Raji-Ashade, in mediating issues affecting the Igbo community.
At a meeting held on November 18, 2023, at the Palace of Oniba of Iba, the Oniba Ekun, alongside Eze Ndigbo of Iba LCDA, Chief Emeka Onuoha, and other Igbo chiefs, addressed the matter raised by Chief Emeka Onuoha regarding the celebration of his proposed one-year anniversary as Eze Ndigbo of Igbo-Elerin and the New Yam festival (Iriji).
A communique issued after the meeting clarified the status of Chief Emeka Onuoha, asserting that he holds the title of Obi of Igbo Elerin and not Eze Ndigbo of Iba Land. The resolution emphasized that only one person, namely John Greg Ezebuiadi, is recognized as the Eze Ndigbo of Iba LCDA.
Furthermore, the communique clarified that every titled Igbo man has the right to celebrate an Iriji, and Chief Emeka Onuoha, as an Obi, is permitted to proceed with his New Yam Festival event scheduled for Sunday, November 19, 2023. It emphasized that the event is exclusively for Iriji and nothing more.
In light of these resolutions, the Ndigbo of Iba LCDA were urged in the communique to uphold peace and refrain from actions that could potentially lead to the disruption of law and order. The intervention of Oniba Ekun of Iba Kingdom was pivotal in reaching an amicable resolution to the complex issues surrounding the celebration and titles within the Igbo community in Iba LCDA.
IMAGE: Vanguard
