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Felix Mbata, Lagos state
In a profound demonstration of selflessness and statesmanship, the Igbo traditional leader of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, Ambassador Nichola Eminenke Njoku (Eziokwu bu Ndu I of Abazu), has unequivocally declared his willingness to abdicate his exalted traditional stool and donate a sum of Two Million Naira to foster unity among Ndigbo in Lagos State.
The eminent Igbo traditional leader made this altruistic declaration during an exclusive interview with The Unique Model Magazine & TV at his hospitality edifice, NICO Hotel and Suites, shortly after his resplendent outing at the historic 40th anniversary grand finale of the Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos (ISTDAL). The epoch-making event, where he was investitured as Grand Patron, was held at the Basketball Court, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Igbo traditional leader Njoku, whose regal and flamboyant entrance, accompanied by a retinue of resplendent Igbo cultural dance troupes, the Indigenous Akwa Ibom People in Lagos, the Boys Scouts of Nigeria and his business associates, brought the entire auditorium to a standstill, reiterated that his quintessential objective as a traditional ruler remains the propagation of love, peace and unity among Ndigbo.
Excerpts of the exclusive interview:
May we meet you for official documentation?
I am Ambassador Nichola Eminenke Njoku, the Igbo traditional leader of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, the Ohazuru-mee of Ejigbo LCDA, and Chairman of Ndi-Eze Imo South-West and in the Diaspora. I am traditionally titled as Eziokwu bu Ndu I of Abazu in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, amongst other prestigious chieftaincy titles.
Congratulations on your investiture as Grand Patron at the 40th anniversary of ISTDAL. How do you feel?
I feel exceedingly elated because many are called, but few are chosen. I am not the only Imolite in Lagos; I believe we are more than two million. Therefore, if such a distinguished honour is bestowed upon me, it warrants profound appreciation. I perceive it as an award of encouragement, signifying that the modest contributions I am making are being acknowledged and appreciated, which in turn spurs me to do more. I am immensely grateful.
Your entrance to the venue was majestic and electrifying. You arrived with Igbo cultural troupes, Akwa Ibom associations, Boys Scouts and business associates, leaving the entire hall spellbound. What inspired such grandeur?
Yes, I came to grace the occasion because I am an Imolite; I am an illustrious son of Imo State. The assemblage of diverse ethnic groups and cultural troupes that accompanied me was a testament to my robust inter-ethnic relationship and inclusive leadership.
Could you elucidate on your relationship with them?
I am a patron of the Scout Association of Nigeria. I am equally a patron of the Indigenous Akwa Ibom People in Lagos State, and numerous other socio-cultural organizations. What you witnessed was merely one percent of the multitude of groups that indicated interest to accompany me. It was just a tip of the iceberg of the organizations I am affiliated with.
The theme of the anniversary is “Deepening Unity, Peace and Security of Imo State through Equity, Justice and Brotherhood.” As an Igbo traditional leader in Lagos, how do you contextualize this theme?
The theme connotes that such gatherings engender unity. That is my driving force and core interest. I have been assiduously fighting to ensure that Imolites coalesce as one indivisible entity, because united we stand, divided we fall. This kind of laudable event galvanizes our people and fosters unity among Imolites, and without togetherness, there can be no tangible progress.
The President-General of ISTDAL, High Chief Chris Ekeocha (Ugodinma), attested to your humongous financial contributions. What motivated your magnanimity and your passion for Igbo culture which culminated in establishing Ulo Nmuta Omenala Na Asusu Igbo?
As I earlier articulated, anything that pertains to Ndigbo is of paramount concern to me. I am an authentic Igbo son, and as an Igbo leader, I am obligated to do everything within my capacity to motivate my people, particularly the younger generation, to demonstrate love and solidarity. Being an Imolite, anything concerning Imo indigenes, I am unequivocally committed to it without any ulterior motive.
When asked about his startling declaration to drop his revered position as Igbo leader, Igbo traditional leader Njoku bared his mind with palpable disappointment:
“My contemplation to abdicate stems from two deeply disturbing trends that are eroding our values. First, the indiscriminate and careless conferment of chieftaincy titles by our leaders, which has desecrated the sanctity of our traditional institution.
Second, the incessant conflicts tearing our Igbo groups apart. It is a monumental shame and embarrassment to me that revered Igbo leaders are now resorting to law enforcement agencies and dragging themselves through protracted legal battles over issues that should be resolved through dialogue and traditional wisdom.
Even if it entails stepping aside or abdicating my position as Igbo traditional leader, and donating Two Million Naira to foster our unity, I am willing. I have reiterated this to my people in Lagos, and even during our Igbo traditional leaders council meeting, I explicitly stated that if my sacrifice will guarantee our unity as one people, I am prepared to do so without hesitation.
However, if the warring factions can sheath their swords, embrace genuine reconciliation, and reunite as one indivisible family, I will be most delighted to continue in service. My sole interest is how we can conglomerate as one, to be like a broom firmly tied together so that we can withstand the test of time.”
Where do you envision ISTDAL in the next decade?
In the next ten years, I envision ISTDAL burgeoning exponentially, becoming more formidable and virile than it currently is. In the next decade, most of us will be in retirement; if we add ten years to our current age, we should envisage retirement. Consequently, we must work assiduously to ensure the younger generation understudies us to build a stronger and more resilient association. Because the young shall grow.
Among your numerous local and international laurels, 50 percent emanated from various youth groups that solicited your patronship. What is your admonition to them?
My admonition to the youths is to imbibe the fear of God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. That is my foundational principle and cardinal policy of life. Without the fear of God, we are nothing in this world. When we fear God, He will endow us with wisdom, and with wisdom, we can accomplish anything.
For instance, I am a Patron of Council African Youths. In Nigeria, I am a youth patron of Nigerian youths, youth patron of Ejigbo, youth patron in Lagos, and just about two weeks ago, the Arewa Youths conferred on me an award of patronship as well.
My counsel to them is: fear God, be assiduous and industrious, then you will attain greatness. A good Christian or a good Muslim must be a good citizen. A good citizen must be a law-abiding citizen. As a youth, you must be circumspect about your actions. You must abhor crime and flee from criminality. Once you eschew these vices, the sky will be your starting point.
You maintain a cordial rapport with other tribes, which epitomizes you as a detribalized Igbo traditional leader. Why such a disposition that costs you financially, in time and energy?
Yes, I am a quintessential Nigerian and a true nationalist. A true Nigerian will not contemplate marginalizing any ethnic group; you must be centripetal and encourage others. That is why I reiterated that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. When a man fears God, he will love every tribe.
The God we serve is omnipotent and omnipresent; He is God of all. God does not discriminate whether you are Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Calabar or Akwa Ibom; He is the God of all. And when you want to do good, you must do good for the sake of God.
In Ejigbo, I am the Chairman of Non-Ethnic Groups. I work assiduously to conglomerate the Igbos, South-South, Arewa, Yoruba, Calabar, Akwa Ibom together. We all collaborate for our collective and national interest. As Chairman, I ensure harmonious coexistence and that there is no upheaval in Ejigbo.
Your words of appreciation for those that graced ISTDAL @ 40?
I will say may God Almighty protect them, grant them more courage to do better. Like I always aphorize, better is not good enough, the best is yet to come. They should work assiduously for us to achieve the best. I thank them profusely. May God protect them and their families.
Conclusively, with a charismatic personality like Igbo traditional leader Amb. Nichola Eminenke Njoku, who epitomizes an unalloyed passion for the growth of Ndigbo, an icon of peace, a philanthropic colossus, a detribalized statesman and Chairman of Non-Ethnic Groups, Ndigbo can unequivocally boast of a blessed and prodigiously illustrious son. His life of selfless service, piety, and unwavering commitment to unity remains a paragon of exemplary leadership to both the old and young, eloquently accentuating that authentic leadership is predicated on sacrifice, love and galvanizing all people together irrespective of tribe or tongue.