Felix Mbata, Lagos State
High Chief Anselm Njoku, a distinguished Igbo leader, has been a stalwart advocate for the preservation of Igbo culture and tradition. His profound knowledge and experience have made him a guiding light for the Igbo community in Lagos State. In this interview, High Chief Njoku shares his insights on the significance of maintaining Igbo culture and tradition, and offers sage advice to Ndigbo in Lagos.
High Chief Anselm Njoku, you are a prominent and respected Igbo leader with a remarkable record of accomplishments. You have empowered Igbo youths and are a beacon of hope. You were featured at the 10th anniversary of HRM Eze Amb. Emmanuel Oparachukwu, Eze Udo 1 of Agbado Oke-Ode LCDA. What does the anniversary mean to you?
HRM Eze Amb. Emmanuel Oparachukwu is Eze Udo 1 of Agbado Oke-Ode LCDA, I thank God when he spoke about me publicly, that I am his mentor, politically up till the time he became the Ezendigbo, Eze Udo 1 of Agbado Oke-Ode LCDA, Alimosho, Lagos State. He has been performing very well, and that anniversary I attended is to pay him respect and my people in Agbado Oke-Ode LCDA, Lagos state, and advise them on Igbo culture and tradition, which should be maintained.
You are a lover of Igbo culture and tradition. How do you think it can be maintained?
Yes, I have repeatedly said it; any Ezendigbo outside Igboland should not answer His Royal Highness (HRH) or His Royal Majesty (HRM), and some went as far as answering Imperial Majesty, it is sacrilegious, it must not be done. Ezendigbo outside Igbo land is a man selected by Igbos within that particular Local Government or Local Community Development Area (LCDA) to maintain the customs and tradition of Ndigbo, so that our children that are born outside Igboland, in Lagos, in particular, where we are, or that local government/LCDA will know about Igbo Culture and tradition, that is the way to instill it into them.
The event was not only attended by Ndigbo across Nigeria, but two prominent Yoruba men also came for the event, Hon. Moshood Adegoke Salvador and Bashorun Olufinmilola Omotayo Anjorin. What is your reaction to their presence?
It is a thing of joy for them to come when Ndigbo is celebrating their new yam festival, and 10th year anniversary, and the Yoruba joined us and celebrated, and were given awards, that means they have accepted that Igbo practice their culture in their area. It means they are open-minded to Ndigbo. Also, there is unity among the Yoruba and Ndigbo in Lagos.
What is your word of appreciation to the two prominent Yoruba men that came and were honored with awards?
My appreciation is that they showed love to Ndigbo, they came, danced, ate, and drank with us, broke Kola Nut with us. Kola nut is unity; they Yorubas are united with us. We see them as our own brothers, and we can work together as we appreciate them.
What are the qualities of an effective Ezendigbo?
The qualities of an effective Ezendigbo are that he should be able to practice Igbo culture. Also, Ezendigbo shouldn’t be arrogant, because he is a leader; he must have a listening ear to welcome complaints from his people. And see how he can assist them. An effective Ezendigbo should not use His Royal Highness (HRH) as his title, because Royal stands for the owner of the land. He must practice and teach our children about Igbo culture.
You can see masquerade and lots of cultural displays at the program of Eze Oparachukwu. There are some Igbo sons and daughters who haven’t gotten home for some years; when they saw the cultural display, they will be happy. They have been seeing the cultural display on television but not physically. Ezendigbo should maintain peace among Igbo brothers and sisters and beyond to other tribes.
What is your advice to Ndigbo in Lagos?
My advice to Ndigbo in Lagos is that they should know how to talk. They are not indigenes.
What is your advice to Eze Oparachukwu?
My advice is that he should cohere his cabinet.