South East Royal Fathers Council In Nigeria ,Bestows Onyendu Ndigbo Honor On Ghana Diaspora Igbo Leader, Jude Chukwudi Ihenetu

History was made last Friday in Imo State , Nigeria, as the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, SECTR, in collaboration with the Governor’s of the Geo- Political region , successfully regularized the Eze Ndigbo in diaspora institution, with a new nomenclature of “Onyendu Ndigbo”

The induction of the first batch of Onyendu Ndigbo, according to the Secretary of the Committee On the Regularization of Igbo Diaspora Traditional Titles and Leadership,CRIDTTL, Prince Ubochi Ubochi, which was held on 29th May 2026, by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, is one of the most significant developments in the recent history of Igbo diaspora leadership.

CRIDTTL,noted that the event marked the successful implementation of a well-conceived initiative aimed at restoring order, legitimacy, accountability, and cultural authenticity to the leadership structure of Ndigbo living outside Igbo land.

It would be recalled that for many years, concerns existed regarding the proliferation of unregulated traditional titles and conflicting claims to authority in various parts of the diaspora.

Our Correspondent learnt that the Onyendu institution now provides a credible and culturally appropriate framework through which deserving Igbo sons and daughters can serve as recognized community leaders and cultural ambassadors in their respective domains.

At the event ,an Adorable ,notable and respected Igbo leader and Business Mogul in Ghana,Jude Chukwudi Ihenetu, was one of the beneficiaries of the first batch accreditation and honor.

He was Conferred with the Onyendu Ndigbo title in Ghana and issued a certification of honor in that regard.

News Planet International reports that Onyendu Jude Chukwudi Ihenetu , has been in the fore front of uplifting Igbo Cultural heritage in Ghana for over 14 years after he was coronated Eze Ndigbo Ghana.

Undoubtedly recognized in his Imo State State Home town , as a worthy Ambassador, Onyendu Jude Chukwudi Ihenetu’s golden heart and giving spirit , has endowed him to many people and positively affected and empowered the needy and less privileged in Ghana for over 14 years.

However, Ihenetu was not the sole beneficiary as some other Leaders,were honored along side Onyendu Jude Chukwudi Ihenetu , such as : Duru Ochiri Ozuo ‘Na’ Uga, Dr. Alex Sunday Mkpidike Nwoye of Ejigbo LCDA; Jude Chukwudi Ihenetu of Ghana; High Chief Aloy Obi , Onyeisi Ndu Ndigbo , Ibadan / Oyo; Professor Innocent Okunamiri of Ifo, Ogun State; Peter Olikenyi , Oto -Awori ; Amb. Emeka Ugwakome , Iru Victoria Island; Emenike Okpaga Itsum, Ebonyi in Lagos; Uche Ijioma Dimgba of Ikeja LGA; Dike Steve Chukwuemeka, Ikotun – Igando LCDA ; Chris Chukwuemeka Offia , Ibeju Lekki LCDA; Augustine Sunday Ojukwu , Amuwo Odofin LCDA ; John Greg Ezebuadi of Iba LCDA amongst Others .

At the event , the spacious Imo State Traditional Rulers Parliament Building inside Ezeimo Palace Owerri was filled to capacity as people from all walks of life gathered at the instance of South East Council of Traditional Rulers led by His Royal Majesty,Eze( Dr) E.C Okeke, CFR, Chairman Imo State and South East Council of Traditional Rulers to inaugurate the first batch of erstwhile Eze Ndi Igbo title holders as Ndi Ndu Ndigbo in Diaspora .

Earlier in his opening remark, the Chairman Imo State and South East Council of Traditional Rulers,His Royal Majesty Eze ( Dr) E.C Okeke CFR, expressed joy that at last an understanding has been reached between the illustrious Igbo sons in the Diaspora who formerly answered Eze Ndigbo and the South East Council of Traditional Rulers after decades of disagreement on the issue of enthroning Diaspora monarchy outside the Igbo homeland.

He reiterated the importance of promoting and sustaining Igbo culture and tradition which according to him made it obligatory for every Igbo person to respect the revered Igbo traditional institution and occupants of the royal stool which should not be duplicated or made to appear common as such amounts to affront to Igbo ancestors.

Eze Okeke recalled how the decision of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers to abolish Eze Ndigbo in Diaspora was misinterpreted initially and the subsequent disagreement that ensued between the royal fathers and the holders of Eze Ndigbo title.He Congratulated the erswhile Eze Ndi Igbo title holders for seeing reason at last and submitting to the wise counsel which necessitated their official recognition by South East Council of Traditional Rulers and inaugurating them with the title of Nd Ndu Ndigbo.

Speaking further, the revered monarch observed that what was being put in place under the new arrangement is a deliberate and conscientious effort to strengthen the relationship between the royal fathers in the homeland and the Igbo leadership in Diaspora who have been licenced and certified through their inauguration as Ndi Ndu Ndigbo as more of South East Royal and official Ambassadors in the Diaspora.He charged them to be good Representatives wherever they are and should continue to promote and sustain unity, peace and harmony amongst Ndigbo in Diaspora.

In their separate remarks,some of thirty three newly inaugurated Ndi Ndu Ndigbo who spoke during the event, which includes, Onye Ndu Jude Chukwudi Ihenetu,Onye Ndu Ndigbo in Ghana, Ndu Ndigbo in Ikeja Lagos and Onye Ndu Ndigbo Gburugburu in Lagos Onye Ndu Okpotenba,Onye Ndu Ndigbo in Ojo LGA,Onye Ndu Pat Eneh, Onye Ndu Ikem W Agbasi,Onye Ndu Ndigbo in Isolo,Onye Ndu Dr Alex S.M Nwonye ,Onye Ndu Ndigbo in Ejigbo and others were full of appreciation for the honour and recognition accorded to them by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers.

They recalled the initial disagreement that ensued because of misinformation and misinterpretation of the decision of South East Royal fathers and expressed happiness with the peaceful resolution of the impasse.

They said that as true Igbo leaders and promoters of Igbo Culture and tradition, the new arrangement is better as that would help to eradicate illegalities, promote Igbo Culture and further grant them immunity and protection against harassment from any quarters.

Highlights of the epoch making event was the inauguration of 33 erswhile Eze Ndi Igbo title holders as Ndi Ndu Ndigbo and official handover of Certificate of Recognition by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers which was performed by the Chairman Imo State and South East Council of Traditional Rulers,His Royal Majesty Eze (Dr) E.C Okeke CFR,

The event attracted many dignitaries from across South East Nigeria, especially officials of South East Council of Traditional Rulers.Prominent amongst those present include;HRH Igwe Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu CFR, Coordinator South East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu, Chairman Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers,HRH Linus Nto Mbah, Chairman,Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness, Eze Dr Lucky Okoro PhD, Secretary Imo State and South East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe C.E Nnaegbula , Member of Ethics Committee, South East Council of Traditional Rulers,HRH Eze Joseph Nwabekee, Former Chairman Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers,Exofficio & Member Ethics Committee of South East Council of Traditional Rulers.

It is on record that the nomenclature change followed the ban on the Ezendigbo title in the diaspora by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.