Igbo traditional ruler in Byazhi, Abuja the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), HRH Jude Udobi (Akwaajafuogu) has called for revival of Igbo cultures and norms within and outside Igbo land. He said that doing everything legitimately possible toward ensuring that the rich cultures and norms known the ethnic group for are continuously observed would not only go a long way to promote unity among Nd’Igbo, but also make them identifiable.
The royal father spoke to journalists to that effect recently in his office in Abuja
Hailing the Igbo paramount ruler, HRH Nwosu Ibe in the nation’s capital, for having been promoting Igbo cultures and norms,, the traditional ruler therefore said that customs such as king’s yearly royal festival (ofala), new yam festival (iri ji), traditional marriage (ilu nwanyi), burial ceremony (akwamozu) and counting of the year (igu aro), among others were the cultures and norms known the ethnic group with, even as he added that such cultures were not repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and should continue to be on observed.
The Akwaajafuogu also used the opportunity to urge parents to be using Igbo language as means of communication and conversation to their children, which if done, according to him will go a long way. The royal father further noted that going into extinction of any nation or tribe begins with neglect of such tribe’s language and culture by such tribe or nation. These he seriously warned that should be taken serious.
Calling for the unity of Igbo people (Nd’Igbo) within and outside Igbo land, Udobi urged those who were installed as Eze Igbo by the Igbo paramount ruler, Eze Nwosu Ibe in Abuja and environs to rally round him, so as to achieve the aims and objectives of unity of purpose.
“Really, our culture was being neglected before, but now, we have since started to revive it. That is why I am appealing that all Igbo traditional rulers and other leaders rally round Eze Nwosu Ibe, the Igbo 1st of Abuja for us to move forward. Nd’Igbo are known for peaceful cohabitation, observation of their rich cultures, generosity, legitimate business transactions, among others. So I urge them to keep it,” he stated.
Calling Nd’Igbo to order, Ezeigbo Jude Udobi said: “Ability to speak English language is not an end to education. Education begins with among others, ability: for people to maintain their good cultures and norms; to use their language for their children; to take their children to their villages for them to know where they came from; to imbibe into the children the habit being respectful always; to ensure that they are religious too. All these I urge them to strictly adhere to.”
When asked he wouldn’t hear that non-titleholders are usually crowned in FCT, by saying: “Before you are crowned or given chieftaincy title in FCT, we go to your village to find out your status,” he defended.
