In Ghana: Igbo king is now member of native
authority
…Admitted to Ga Traditional Council
By MAURICE ARCHIBONG
A
historic milestone in Ghana-Nigeria relations was clocked on Wednesday, 9 October,
2013; with the induction of Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana, Eze
Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, into the Ga Traditional Council (GTC). Ga are the
aborigines of Accra, capital city of Ghana; and, the Greater Accra Region; one
of the 10 federating units of this much-loved neighbouring country.
Igbo 1, HRH Ibe
Nwosu; flanked by Eze Okpotemba, Chief Dimgba (2nd left) as well as Eze
and Lolo
Ihenetu 2nd and 1st right.
PHOTOS: MAURICE ARCHIBONG. All Rights Reserved. |
Going by the
Accra suburb once solely known as Lagos, renamed New Town; Oluwadare House on Kojo
Thompson Road, built in 1924, as well as John Abokye House nearby; Enugu
House on the Teshie-Nungua Road, all in Accra; and, Kano House in Cape Coast; some
Nigerian settlers evidently made home in Ghana close to 100 years ago or even
earlier.
Despite
being part of various Ghanaian societies for centuries, it is doubtful that a
Nigerian traditional ruler ever became a member of any native council in that
country. However, that proverbial rubicon was finally crossed with the admission
of Eze Ihenetu to the Ga Traditional Council, last week. And, the investiture,
which threw up much euphoria, was, to put it simply; exciting!
Crossing the Rubicon
In his
speech, after conferement, Eze Ihenetu aka Ohazurume 1; observed:
“Today is a special day. It is a date that Igbos in Ghana shall always
remember. It is a day that our descendants will forever be proud of. It is also
a date that the Ga who welcomed us with open arms shall never regret”.
Acting President General of Ga Traditional Council, right with another royal personage during the event. |
Continuing,
Ihenetu, who prayed that God should continue to bless Ga rulers with wisdom and
resources, so they would always lead their indigenes and foreigners living on
their land well; added that admitting Igbos into Ga Traditional Council is
further confirmation of the enviable hospitable disposition of the average Ghanaian.
Mauricearchibongtravels gathered that with this development, Igbos in
Ghana have thus become part of the decision-making process within the GTC. It
is worth recalling that, to whom much is given, much is also expected. The
induction therefore had sombre moments, where Eze Igbo said elders of the GTC
should feel free to call him or his followers to order, whenever necessary.
“Although
I am king, in terms of age and experience, I and my people are still children
compared to you. Therefore, there might be aspects of the culture that we are
yet to fully grasp. So, should we ever err, please feel free to correct us”, he
intoned.
Speaking
further, Eze Ihenetu pointed out, that; positive repercussions would
follow the endowment of a seat in Ga Traditional Council for Igbos resident in
Ghana. Alluding to contribution toward community development, this Eze Igbo
promised: “Whenever we are called upon, we shall play our part”.
Tokens from the
rites of passage
During
the colourful occasion, which was interspersed by several parades of dancers
and melodious songs, Eze Ohazurume was presented
with a certificate confirming his membership of the Ga Traditional Council. The
ceremony also featured, among others, pouring of libation, visit to a sacred
spot within the palace complex, where lengthy incantations were recited amid
pouring of more libation after which Eze and Lolo Ihenetu were offered
sips of a drink from that presumed fountain of wisdom.
At the sacred spot under an ancient tree, where the pact was formally sealed. |
HRH Ibe
Nwosu and Eze Uche IC Dimgba, Igbo 1 and Okptemba respectively,
who among others travelled to Ghana to witness the august process; and, select
few others were also allowed to partake of the special drink from the sacred
place, said to be the source from which all powers derive.
Now, a
toast to this: It was nice listening to the chorus of, Okorobia di nma, Eze Chuks,
Okorobia di nma, anyi sokwa gi n’azu (roughly
translated: King Ihenetu, a good man; we’re solidly behind you); by a troupe of
Igbo women. But, the concerto became even more soul-lifting through the
accompaniments offered by Yoruba minstrels on hand.
Yoruba minstrels who enriched the entertainment with their music. |
In deed,
this was a touching example of how much Nigeria stands to gain, if her various
ethnic/religious groups would join hands and contribute toward national
development. And, even this is applicable to countries across various borders,
too.
‘Our people are republican’
Nonetheless,
it must be pointed out that fear was raised that another Igbo person or group
might later come to the Ga Traditional Council to ask for the same privilege
accorded Eze Ihenetu. In fact, Eze Ndi Igbo Ikeja and Okpotemba
Igbere, Eze Dimgba, personally expressed this view, when he declared: “Before
we depart, I want to inform you that our people are republican. Therefore,
somebody or another group might come here tomorrow to ask for admission to the
GTC, too”.
Igbo women choristers. |
Concluding,
Okpotemba,
who is also Vice President (South), Association of Ndi Eze n’uzo ije
Worldwide; pleaded: “I hope you will not recognise those ones”. Responding, the
Acting President General of GTC, who spoke through the MC; assured: “That will
not happen. It is not possible, given the special rite that has been performed
at the sacred spot”.
Attendance
The
event, which took place inside the Palace of the Ga Mantse in the Kaneshie
neighbourhood of the Ghanaian capital attracted hundreds of witnesses. Although
the Ga hosts and Igbo made up the majority of the crowd, the guests also
included Nigerians from other ethnic groups.
A view of other Nigerians during the investiture. |
Apart
from numerous Ghana-based Yoruba and Hausa-speaking folks, Igbos from the five
states in Nigeria’s South-east geopolitical zone; viz: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi,
Enugu and Imo, were all represented.
A snappy
roll call of the Igbo personalities in attendance revealed: HRH Ibe Nwosu (Igbo
I), Eze ndi Igbo Abuja, and current President Ndi Eze n’uzo ije
(Association of All Ezes in Diaspora) Worldwide; Eze Uche Dimgba (Okpotemba);
Chief Gilbert Onwurili (Onowu); Nze Kennedy Obi, Chief Johnson Isaac Chigbata, CEO,
ICJ Farms Limited; Secretary
of Ohaneze
ndi Igbo in Ghana, Comrade Emmanuel Irechukwu; Elder Shedrack Okoro, Chairman of Imo Community; Chief Reginald
Azubuike, Chief Ugo
Onugu; Chief Douglas Emeka Onodugo; Chief Ernest Chibueze Ogbu (Nwachinemeru
of Enugu); Chief Onogo (Ezedino obi), Chief Samuel Eke; and,
Mr. Kelechukwu Ike, fondly called KK.
Igbo
youths, Prince Anayo Nwaogu (2nd left) and others at the palace
party.
|
The
Yoruba guests included Mr. Albert Bayo, a chieftain of All Nigerians Community
(ANC) in Ghana and Mr. Taheed Owolabi, while Chief Nelson Okon, Chairman of
South-south Community in Ghana also led select members to the event; where
other Igbo-born personalities like Chief Godswill Chukwu; Chief Harrison Mba, Prince Anayo Nwaogu, Mr. Patrick Nwachukwu; Prince Kingsley Ugochukwu, MD/CEO of Ikeja, Lagos-based 100% Hotel &
Suites; and, Valentine Dike of Corporate
Protection Security; put up a strong presence.
Some members of The New Osadebe Band that entertained the crowd during a post-induction celebration at Eze’s Palace in East Legon. |
Dignitaries
on the Ga side included Nii Doodo Nsaki II, Acting President General (GTC); Nii Ayikai III, Nii
Ayi Bonte II of Gbesie Traditional Area; Nomo Ogbeamey III (Sakumo
Wulomo) and Naa Adokailey Notse II (Queen Mother).
A section of Ga elders at the ceremony. |