In his remarks, the Obi of Onitsha traced the history and changing status of traditional rulers in Nigeria from pre-colonial era to the present. He stated that traditional rulers were marginalized by the colonial power, the political and military elite until the 1999 constitution of Nigeria restored relevance to traditional institution.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has criticized the proliferation of the traditional institutions in most parts of Eastern Nigeria. He made the observation yesterday during the presentation of his books at Hilton Woodcliff Lake in New Jersey, USA. He said that Abia state with a population of 4.5 million people now has over 1000 traditional rulers, noting that the South East has over half of all the traditional rulers in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Obi of Onitsha traced the history and changing status of traditional rulers in Nigeria from pre-colonial era to the present. He stated that traditional rulers were marginalized by the colonial power, the political and military elite until the 1999 constitution of Nigeria restored relevance to traditional institution. As a result of the restoration, he noted that the traditional institution has begun to attract the best and the brightest. “They have come back to give something back to the community that gave them their beginning,” he said.
Igwe Achebe who heads the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers pondered loud how to maintain the relevance of the traditional institution and make sure it survives in a changing 21st century world without losing its distinguished identity. “How can we run fast enough to stand still? How do we drive the traditional society while modernity is happening?” he asked.
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The Stanford and Columbia universities-trained monarch outlined several reforms he has brought to Onitsha since he ascended the throne some 12 years ago. Amongst the reforms are that funeral rites in Onitsha are now completed within twelve hours, the Onitsha traditional justice system is now recognized by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and the traditional institution is now in dialogue with the churches to reinterpret and encourage a better understanding of Onitsha tradition. He said that his mission has been to bring modern management practices to community governance. “We do small things at Onitsha leaving big things to the government,” he said.
The former top executive of Shell Petroleum said that he has established a trust, the Onitsha Advancement Foundation, to help accomplish the goals in his blueprint and it is to the foundation that all the proceeds of the books will go.
Speaking at the event, the managing director of Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti, commended the Onitsha monarch for his commitment in the service of the people of his kingdom. “There are not so many Igbo communities today that present their best as traditional rulers,” said Otti. He told the gathering that Diamond Bank has been in the business of supporting arts and culture long before the bank decided to back the publication of these books, one of which chronicled ten years of Igwe Achebe’s stay on the throne and the other which highlighted Onitsha at the millennium. Dr. Otti called Igwe Achebe an erudite, open-minded, and transparent chairman of Diamond Bank. “It’s impossible to achieve what we have achieved with a different chairman.”
Reviewer of the book, Dr. Apollos Nwauwa called the books, “a scholarly celebration of his majesty’s 10 years anniversary.” He described Igwe Achebe as “the intellectual voice of traditional institutions in the country.” One of the books is a collection of 30-essays written by Onitsha and non-Onitsha people about Onitsha.
A box-set of the two books cost $450. All the copies brought to the event were sold out. In his vote of thanks, the organizer of the book launch and a school mate of the Igwe, renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Ferdinand Ofodile, reaffirmed the testimonies of the evening that traditional rulers can make a difference in the lives of the people.