Onyendu Ezebuadi Hosts Lagos Igbo Leaders, Urges Unity and Peaceful Coexistence
The Chairman of the Council of Igbo Leaders, Lagos State, Onyendu John-Greg Okey Ezebuadi (Ogboroagha), has called on Ndigbo residing in Lagos to remain united and continue to promote peace and harmonious coexistence within their host communities.
Ezebuadi, who is also the Traditional Head of the Igbo in Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), made the appeal while hosting more than 22 newly inducted Igbo traditional leaders.
The leaders were formally recognised in line with the directive of the governors of the five South-East states and the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers, which adopted the title “Onyendu Ndigbo” (also referred to as Ndindu) to replace the former nomenclature, “Ndieze,” for Igbo traditional leaders residing outside the South-East.
Addressing the gathering, Ezebuadi said the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers (Ndi Eze AnaIgbo Dum) had, over the past few months, held a series of consultations with the Association of Ndi Eze Na Uzo Ije Southern Zone, under his leadership.
He explained that one of the major outcomes of the engagements was the adoption of “Onyendu Ndigbo” as the official title for Igbo traditional leaders living outside Igbo-speaking states.
“Following this adoption, an induction ceremony was held on May 29, 2026, at the Imo State Traditional Parliament (Eze Imo Palace) in Owerri, during which certificates of recognition were formally presented to us by the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers,” he said.
According to him, the process leading to the recognition was rigorous and involved extensive screening by the High-Powered Regularisation Committee constituted by the Southeast Governors’ Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers.
He noted that the committee, chaired by Chief Barr. Charles Odunukwe, OON, the Okemmili of Orukwu, thoroughly assessed the candidates before approving their recognition.
Ezebuadi disclosed that in the first phase of the exercise, 32 distinguished leaders across the South-West received letters of recognition, with 24 of the beneficiaries coming from Lagos State.
He further revealed that he was elected Interim Chairman of the Council of Onyendu Ndigbo in Lagos State, with the responsibility of coordinating the activities of the recognised traditional leaders across all Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
He urged the newly inducted leaders to uphold the values of peace, unity and service, while working collectively to advance the welfare and interests of the Igbo community in Lagos.
