“If our language dies, our tribe dies” — Eze insists on permanent land for Ndigbo School and Culture
Felix Mbata, Lagos state
His Excellency Eze Ambassador Nicholas Emenike Njoku, Eziokwu bu Ndu I of Abazu, Eze Ohazuru-mee of Ejigbo LCDA and Chairman, Ndi Eze Imo in South West and Diaspora, has congratulated Chief Leonard Okafor (Oba Ojoto) on his victory as President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, in the 2026 election held in Lagos.
Speaking exclusively to The Unique Model Magazine, Eze Njoku used the occasion to counsel the new president, renew his personal vow to sustain Igbo School and culture in Lagos, and challenge Ndigbo groups to abandon tenancy for permanent land.
“I congratulate Chief Okafor. My advice is simple: be yourself. The Holy Spirit lives in us and speaks to us daily if we listen. The Bible says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. When you fear God, you will take decisions with the fear of God. Knowledge can come from man, but wisdom comes from God,” Eze Njoku said.
He warned Okafor not to be “president of one group,” insisting, “He is president of all Igbos in Lagos. He should work on the unity of everybody. Igbos are billionaires. Most of our previous leaders focused on politicians and government support, but we can create wealth in Lagos. God gave us what it takes to make money anywhere. We don’t need to depend on government support. I wish Chief Okafor success in his tenure.”
“I Will Not Give Up” — Vow on Igbo School and Culture
Eze Njoku restated his commitment to Igbo language preservation, a mission sparked by a United Nations publication years ago that projected Igbo language toward extinction. “It struck my mind. I said, how can our language go? If Igbo language is no longer in existence, nothing like Igbo tribe again. It is our language that gives us that full ground to say we are Igbos, legitimate people of Nigeria,” he explained.
To counter that projection, he established an Igbo School in his vicinity, paying teachers, providing uniforms, custodians, and writing materials “with my own money. I haven’t asked anyone for money. I am doing it on my own to ensure Igbo language stands and to prove the United Nations wrong.”
The school’s permanent site was unveiled last November, but Eze Njoku lamented that “no significant contribution came up. I am still calling on our Igbo brothers and sisters to come up with their support. I am still struggling to build the place, but I have been doing it alone.”
His resolve remains firm: “It is a project I will never give up. Instead of me to give up, I will sell my properties to ensure the success is achieved. What is worth doing should be well done. It is my principle of life and it is working for me.”
He clarified the motive: “I am not embarking on this project for my name to be glorified or known by anyone. I am backing it to promote our language, our culture, and everything about Ndigbo across the globe.”
Plans are underway to take Igbo teaching global through online platforms. “We are planning to teach Ndigbo globally through online teaching. We have website and YouTube for Ndigbo to log in and learn Igbo language across the globe. We are not only teaching the language; we also teach Igbo culture so that our children will learn.”
He charged other Ezes in Lagos to create space in their palaces for weekly Igbo classes if they cannot build schools. “Parables cannot die. They distinguish us in a gathering with other tribes. Even in the Bible, parables are used to teach people. Wise men and women use parables to express issues.”
On Peace, Unity, and Permanent Land for Ndigbo
Eze Njoku also reflected on his three-year mediation that ended the rift between Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene and Chief Sunday Ossai in Ohanaeze Lagos. “I wouldn’t say I succeeded alone because a tree cannot make a forest. I played my role. I met Chief Aguene, I met Ossai. I invited them not one time. It took me about three years confronting both parties to ensure we have peace, and by God’s grace it was successful at the end.”
He explained the sacrifice: “I am an Igbo man. I love progress and peace for Ndigbo in Lagos and beyond because without peace no progress. It cost me a lot — my time, my energy, and talking to them. Let’s keep the monetary aspect. I played a lot of roles and God crowned it at the last minute to ensure things work well for Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State.”
On recurring litigation among Ndigbo, he backed conflict resolution committees but cautioned: “The issue is getting good people to handle it. We don’t want people that create problems to come and settle the same people. Conflict resolution should be handled by people of high integrity who will not compromise.”
He then posed a blunt question to Ndigbo groups: “I am fully involved in Igbo Speaking Community and Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The two groups have no quarter plot of land in Lagos State. I asked the question the day they were conducting election. We were in Enugwu Hall. They said they paid money to use the place. I said, ‘Is it not a shame to you people, to be renting hall?’ The groups can generate money, but the issue is transparency. If we have transparent leaders to give account of money, we can do what we want.”
Eze Njoku’s message to Chief Okafor, Igbo School, and Ndigbo in Lagos is unified: victory is not the end, it is a mandate for permanence. To Okafor — lead with God’s wisdom and unite all. To Igbo School — build a legacy on owned land, not borrowed space. To Ndigbo groups — end the era of renting halls; own land, build identity. As Chief Okafor assumes office and Eze Njoku refuses to quit, one principle binds them: culture without land is folklore. Culture with land is a future. For Ndigbo in Lagos, the time to buy, build, and belong is now.
The Unique Model Magazine
Friday 18th April 2026