By: Ike Phiip Abiagom
Obi(Dr) Henry Chukwuma Ajudua-1 (Ezeudo of Igbuzo) has called on Otu Uwolo and Obuzor of Igbuzo Kingdom to unite and desist from making unhistorically balanced statement capable of upsetting the socio- cultural chord of brotherhood among the children of Umuejei.Obi (Dr) Ajudua who made this observation to Newsbreeze in response to the lingering controversy stoked by a purported claim of Matters Arising from the current trending Ipu Ume Video from Otu Uwolo and sundry issues. I commend the zeal and passion with which the discourse is engaged. I however frown on the choice of words deployed by some of us in pushing their views. We do not need to trade insults to move our town forward. I however think that some of these opinions are either borne out of ignorance of spirits & LETTERS OF THE MUCH TALKED ABOUT WHITE PAPER or outright mischief to keep our community in a state of continuous acrimony.
I was in tears for the cry of my people that had begun to reduce its values into a discourse that no longer had boundaries. My cry was different. It became a cry for humanity. Tears that flow down the cheeks due to devaluation of our culture and degradation of Igbuzo unity.
It leaves a mark on the face that becomes indelible. My imagination went wild. I could not comprehend it. What is happening to our heritage? What is happening to our youths? What is happening to our elders?What is happening to our town? What is happening to our generation? I asked. The silence that greeted my questions gave me a clue. When a fire starts from the shrine, no precaution can be possible. My tears dried up quickly as it became clear and real to me that events in history are circumstances of the people that are in that space at that particular time. Hmn.
We have begun to weaken our birthright and identity as the great sons of (Umuejei) Igbuzo. How can we form the words to use in explaining this to our children that when the roots of a tree begin to decay, it spread death to the branches. Others towns are making theirs stronger, and we are busy tearing ours, a God given rich heritage apart for greed and personal gain. We have begun a journey that sets a bad example for our coming generation.
Obi (Dr) Ajudua said “Even, though some writers of historical documents(Government White Paper) about the relationship and chord of brotherhood between the OBUZOR of Igbuzo and the entire Igbuzo community have allowed personal sentiments and pecuniary consideration to overrule their sense of judgement, clarity, fairness, objectivity and harmonious cohabitation. And the purported statement from Otu Uwolo belong to this trend “
He remarked that “We should not indulge in diluted information coined by agents of destabilization which emphasised those things that divide us instead of talking of those things that unite us “
Obi (Dr) Ajudua said , whatever angle or point of view any writer come out of this discourse on fact remain constant that there is a blood bond of relationship which is mot fleeting but fundamentally essential between the DIOKPA IGBUZO and the Obuzor IGBUZO “
Obi( Dr) Ajudua appeal to the Diopka of Igbuzo, Obuzor IGBUZO and Otu Uwolo to be wary of agents of destabilization who are only out to pitch the noble royal houses against each other by their sheer impetuosity and face service”
Obi (Dr) Ajudua, (EzeUdo) commended the royal sagacity and visionary posture of the Obuzor IGBUZO, His Majesty,HRM Obi Prof. Louis Nwoboshi and Most Senior Diokpa of Ibusa and Otu Uwolo , Onowu Paul Ijeh, not only at remaining calm, but at having refused to dignify the sender of those ill statements with any response.
“I must also commend the political maturity and sagacity being displayed by the Imperial Majesty , HRM Obi Prof. Louis Nwoboshi who has been consistent in his recent PEACE DIPLOMACY SHUTTLE with the Senior Diokpa of Ibusa, Onowu Paul Ijeh in Igbuzo last week to mark the conclusion of Iwaji and to brief the oldest man on the progress of the new yam festival in the Community, which has kicked – off a brand new era of harmonious relationship in Igbuzo “
Obi (Dr) Ajudua appeal to the scripter of divisive statements, the procurer of false history and the spreader of ill –historical fallacy to put a stop in their unholy act and allow peace, unity, harmony and era of brotherly interaction take control in Igbuzo.
We should stop sowing seed of discord among us and our siblings in Igbuzo because we are one family.
Obi Ajudua is appealing to Otu Uwolo to engage in dialogue with His Royal Majesty,the Obuzor and the community leaders to settle their grievances no matter how dire, as peace is the only solution to development.
We need to respect the rights and dignity of the office of the Obuzor , Most Senior Diopka of Igbuzo and all our Community members. If we disrespect the Obuzor or Diokpa of Ibusa,Otu Uwolo, Otu Iyase or Otu Odogwu today, we will inevitably pay the price tomorrow. If we all claim to be Republicans, we all – beginning from Otu Uwolo, notwithstanding our grievances, we must learn to abide by existing rules of engagement: the Government white paper and our cultural values.
