By Mimi Chiadikaobi
The Traditional Ruler of Abatete, Idemili North Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State, Igwe Emeka Efobi, has charged Igbo residents in diaspora to ensure that the promotion of Igbo culture and values are not eroded.
Efobi made the call on Saturday when he bestowed a Chieftaincy title ‘Ichie Atu Abatete’ on Dr Chinedu Ikeanyi, a California based physician.
Ikeanyi is the son of Late Davidson, traditional ruler of Enugu-Agidi community in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.
He commended Ikeanyi for sustaining his father’s footprints in building a younger generation outside the shores of Nigeria to live and act in a manner associated with the way of living of the Igbos.
Efobi congratulated Ikeanyi on his position as Secretary General, Association of “Nze na Ozo” and Chief (ANOC) in Southern California, United States of America.
According to Igwe Efobi, the young physician was recognised for his commitment towards the promotion of African culture and values as well as empowering less privileged within and outside Nigeria.
Efobi while charging him to sustain the tempo urged the younger generation especially those living overseas to always remember their roots wherever they find themselves.
Speaking at the occasion, the celebrant, Ikeanyi embraced the new title as a clarion call to do more in the rebuilding of the Igbo nation by promoting it’s culture and charity works
Ikeanyi, while recalling his long time relationship with Abatete people, further encouraged the Igbos living overseas to always remember their homes and be committed towards re-engineering peace and progress of their neighbors.
He recalled that their organisation, ANOC, has been at the forefront of promoting Igbo values and culture through teaching and sensitisation of the people on what marriage should be, importance of Igbo language and etiquette of building a happy home as inherited from our forefathers which is in line with international practices.
“We make the Igbo living or schooling in the USA know that our culture remains the best all over the world. We visit schools, faculties and streets to engage with our people.
“ We organise programmes and events to bring our people together to learn why it is important to always speak our languages unhindered and proudly wear our Igbo traditional outfit and respect it’s core values.
“We also make them understand how our cultural values, especially our marriage institution remains the best. We encourage the husbands and wives to join in raising their children so they can enjoy happy homes.
“ We teach them how the husbands should treat their wives, and how the wives should treat their husbands, and how best they can together train their children.
“We try as much as possible to dismiss all the myths that are causing domestic issues and retrogression” he said.
Ikeanyi noted that house chores is not meant for any gender and Providing for the family is not also reserved to anyone.
“You do not have to abandon sweeping, laundry or washing of plates because you are a titleholder” he said.
He believes that as titleholders we are taught to be ambassadors of peace, uphold truth and justice always. “We should also encourage our people to always think of home by visiting their towns and build legacy projects” he added.
Chief Innocent Anieme, a native of Enugwu-Agidi community and civil servant describes the title on Ikeanyi as merited and urged him not to relent on keeping his father’s legacy shining.
Mr Pius Okonkwo, another native, came to celebrate with Ikeanyi and praised him on his forthright for championing the Igbo cause both home and abroad.
Okonkwo described him as a trailblazer whose love for humanity neither discriminates nor fades out and called on other wealthy people in the community to emulate his humility despite his social status.
