The National Executive Committee of Nzuko Ozo Ndi-Igbo Nigeria has said it is highly committed to driving the proposals for South Easterners to have central socio-cultural events such as Iguaro and New Yam festivals, among other celebrations.
It expressed its disposition towards rediscovering the institution and vowing to change the narrative.
National chairman of Nzuko Ozo Ndi-Igbo Nigeria, Professor Ike Oluka, stated this at the weekend on the occasion of the first Ichiozo at the Igbo national level held at the National Headquarters of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide in Enugu.
He said the National Executive Committee of the prestigious traditional institution under his watch will continue to do everything humanly possible to ensure that its respect in society remains intact, noting that from time immemorial, its members have always been known as promoters of truth, honesty, justice and fairness.
In his remarks, the national chairman said, “With a heart full of joy, I welcome everyone here present to this great occasion of the first Ichiozo at Igbo national level organized by Nzuko Ozo Ndi Igbo in Nigeria.
“Ichi Ozo at Igbo national level becomes necessary in order to expand the ozo institution to have Igbo national outlook.
“Throughout its several centuries of existence, the Ozo traditional institution has been operating in silos at village and community levels.
“Hence we have Ozo Ndi Nri, Ozo Enugwu Ukwu, Ozo Onitsha, Ozo Eke, Ozo Ngwo, etc, all independent of each other.
“The Community operational structure gave room to differences in standards, norms and values among the communities, resulting to the existence of different variants of Ozo in quality, values and practices.
“Across the communities, there are different variants of Ozo, including the traditionalist’s version (Ozo Omenani Igbo), the Christian version (Ozo-Uka) and other versions resulting to a divided house against itself.
“Consequently, the Ozo institution dwindled in value, diminished in content and even became extinct in some communities until the recent rescue by Nzuko Ozo Ndi Igbo, Nigeria (NONIN) in 2011 through advocacy, retreats, mobilization, education and harmonization of some of the opinions and practices of the Ozo variants.
“Let it be known to the world that ichiozo at Igbo national level is all about adding another higher level called Igbo national level to the existing ichi Ozo structure which starts with Family/Umunna level, Ward level, Village level and Community level.
“That is the reason why no one gets into the National Ozo without being an Ozo in one community or the other.
“We reasoned that if it is necessary to have Ozo at village/community levels, it is also important to have same at Igbo national level to connect and bring together all the Ozo communities in Igbo land.
“While the Igbo National Ozo title holders operate at Igbo regional, national and international events, the village/community Ozo title holders handle Igbo village and community affairs. “
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