IGBO CULTURE DESECRATION :  Notable  Leader , Eze Chukwudi Boniface Okparaku, Berates Purveyors Of South West Eze Ndigbo Gburugburu Title,  Says ” It’s Sacrilegious Misnomer, As Foreign King Can’t Crown Another King ” 

By Emmanuel Edom

In a patriotic bid to forestall further erosion, abuse and desecration of cherished Igbo cultural heritage, a notable Entrepreneur , Industrialist and revered Prominent Igbo Leader, Eze, Dr. Chukwudi Boniface Okparaku, has raised the alarm over ongoing perceived   distortion of Igbo Culture by some Selfish elements in the Diaspora, who he said, are bent in dragging Igbo traditional heritage into the mud.

Eze Okparaku , who is a renowned Custodian of Igbo Culture and “Amuruonyenaego” Title holder of Ihetenansa Clan in Imo State, said he was compelled to speak and counsel Ndigbo in Diaspora on the purported recent sacrilegious  Coronation by a Yoruba King ,of a supposed” South West Eze Ndigbo Gburugburu”  ,which he opined is an abnormality that tends to abuse and distort valued Igbo culture.

 While categorically distancing himself from the on going craze for “Gburugburu”  Title ,Okparaku, who is also the Chairman of Bonchudi Group of Companies and the undisputed Onyendu Ndigbo in Abaranje and Okerube, insisted that as far as Igbo Culture is Concerned, “a  king , whether foreign or indigenous , can not crown another  King”. 

Alerting Igbos in Diaspora of inherent danger of accommodating cultural distortions, infiltration and infusion of alien tradition into Igbo Cultural heritage, Okparaku stated thus :  “It is crucial to acknowledge that, in Igbo culture, the coronation of a king is not performed by another king. Instead, the community chooses a king-elect, who is subsequently crowned by the most elderly living member of the community”.

Expressing his disappointment over what he described as  ongoing sacrilege and  selfish wide goose chasing by  some Igbo elements and purported leaders, Amuruonyenaego said , ” I am astonished that some Igbo individuals in Lagos are unfamiliar with this tradition. The notion that a traditional ruler from a non-Igbo nation can crown an Igbo man as king is a sacrilegious act and an aberration”.

 In his words of advise, Okparaku , who is also popularly  known as “Eze Chukwukwadoro Ndigbo”, counseled all  half baked Igbo Leaders in Diaspora  thus : 

“I advise my fellow Igbo men in Lagos state and the southwest ,to refrain from disgracing our heritage and focus on advancing their careers and business interests”. 

It will be recalled that condemnations and criticisms by notable Igbo Leaders,residents and stakeholders, have been trailing recent purported Coronation of one Tochukwu Anosike from Ojo LGA Central, Lagos State, as South West Eze Ndigbo Gburugburu by Alafin Of Oyo .

Further Educating Ndigbo , Okparaku , noted that , “The concept of Eze Ndigbo was established to unite and bring together Igbo people in the diaspora, not to ridicule them. What exactly is the source of our problems? Ezeship is conferred upon individuals who possess wisdom and intelligence, not troublemakers or trouble shooters”.

Angry that some worthless vagabonds , otherwise known in Igbo vocabulary as “Ndi Efulefu”, have infiltrated into Diaspora leadership in Lagos and South west, Eze Okparaku, therefore cautioned thus : ” Let us exercise discretion to avoid embarrassment. We must capitalize on opportunities while they exist. 

We have ndi Efulefu among us”.