The socio-cultural organization of Non-Indigenous Igbos in Rivers State has outlawed the use of the prefix ‘His Royal Highness or Majesty’ to address any Igbo title holder or leader in the state.
“The essence of this is to ensure that there is no conflict of titles, bearing in mind that the various indigenous traditional rulers in the State, mainly use the above listed royal titles. Therefore, the traditional head of Non-Indigenous Igbos in Rivers State shall be known simply as Eze Ndigbo Gburugburu Rivers State, while those of the various Local Governments shall be Onyendu Ndigbo (Leader of Igbo Community)
“All Igbos in Rivers State should take note of the above changes and act accordingly, ensuring at all times that the maximum respect expected of us are accorded to indigenous traditional rulers”
This was the high point of the communique issued at the end of an enlarged stakeholders meeting of non-indigenous Igbos in Rivers State held on Thursday at the residence of Eze Ndigbo in Rivers State, Engr. Sam.Nwokolo.
The communique further said that having established Ndigbo Community in Bayelsa State, with a competent traditional ruler to take up the mantle of leading Igbos in Bayelsa State, the jurisdictional powers of the Eze Ndigbo shall now be limited to Rivers State, thereby enabling Igbos in Bayelsa State to operate independently in the protection of the interest of Igbos in the State and preserving Igbo culture in Bayelsa.
“Thus, the office of our traditional ruler shall now be referred to as ‘Eze Ndigbo Rivers State’ no longer as ‘Eze Ndigbo Rivers and Bayelsa States”
The communique reiterated that the Igbo Community in the state are only looking for their daily bread and not interested in annexing any part of Rivers State into Igboland as claimed in some quarters.
“There is no basis for such allegations and Igbos are not known to be troublesome anywhere in the world. Rather, our peaceful and law-abiding traits are virtues that make us stand out, and there can be no difference in Rivers State.
The communique which was read by the Eze Ndigbo himself explained that a group of young Igbo children who intend to hold an event christened “Igbo Fest” in the state should not be misconstrued as the activity is geared towards the preservation of Igbo cultures and not to breach public peace.
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It further announced that in pursuance to the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of Igbos, the community has resolved to hold her 2025 New Yam Festival (Iri-ji Ndigbo) in October.
The communique further urged Ndigbo in Rivers State to make necessary preparations, personal and collective, to ensure that the event is greeted with tremendous success.
“The Community hereby reiterates its undiluted commitment of ensuring that every law abiding Igbo man in Rivers State is protected from any form of harassment in the exercise of his or her fundamental, constitutional and other rights due him.
“We further call on Rivers State Government and all relevant agencies to ensure that Igbos in Rivers State suffer no harassment of any sort, on the basis of the fact that they are Igbos”
It however called on Ndigbo in Rivers State to continue being law abiding and go about their lawful business, with the assurance that the leadership of Non-Indigenous Igbos in Rivers State will continually ensure that their basic rights are not truncated or jeopardized in any way.
