Anambra Monarch Charges Igbo in Diaspora on Cultural Promotion

The traditional ruler of Abatete, Idemili North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, Igwe Emeka Efobi, has charged Igbo people living in the diaspora to ensure that Igbo culture and values are preserved and not eroded.

Igwe Efobi made the call while conferring a chieftaincy title, Ichie Atu Abatete, on Dr. Chinedu Ikeanyi, a California-based physician.

Dr. Ikeanyi is the son of the late Davidson, a traditional ruler of Enugu-Agidi community in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.
The monarch commended Ikeanyi for sustaining his father’s legacy, particularly in mentoring and grooming younger generation of Ndi Igbo outside Nigeria to live and conduct themselves in ways consistent with Igbo customs and values.
Igwe Efobi also congratulated Ikeanyi on his position as Secretary-General of the Association of Nze na Ozo and Chiefs (ANOC), Southern California, United States of America.
According to the monarch, the young physician was recognised for his unwavering commitment to the promotion of African culture and values, as well as for empowering the less privileged both within and outside Nigeria.
While charging him to sustain the tempo, Efobi urged the younger generation, especially those living overseas, to always remember their roots wherever they find themselves.
Speaking at the occasion, the celebrant, Dr. Ikeanyi, described the new title as a clarion call to do more in rebuilding the Igbo nation through the promotion of culture and charitable works.
Recalling his long-standing relationship with the Abatete people, he encouraged Igbo people in the diaspora to remain connected to their ancestral homes and to be committed to fostering peace and progress among their neighbours.
He noted that ANOC has been at the forefront of promoting Igbo values and culture through education and sensitisation, particularly on marriage, the importance of the Igbo language, and the etiquette of building a happy home as inherited from their forefathers and aligned with global best practices.
“We make Igbo living or schooling in the USA understand that our culture remains one of the best in the world. We visit schools, faculties and public spaces to engage with our people,”
“We organise programmes and events to bring our people together to learn why it is important to speak our language freely and proudly, wear our traditional attire, and uphold our core values.
“We also help them understand why our cultural values,especially our marriage institution remain strong. We encourage husbands and wives to jointly raise their children so they can enjoy happy homes.
“We teach how husbands should treat their wives, how wives should treat their husbands, and how both can work together to train their children.
“We also try as much as possible to dispel myths that cause domestic conflicts and social regression.”he said.
Ikeanyi further noted that household chores should not be assigned to any particular gender and that providing for the family is not the exclusive responsibility of one person.
“You do not have to abandon sweeping, laundry or washing plates because you are a titleholder,” he said.
He added that titleholders are taught to be ambassadors of peace who must always uphold truth and justice, while encouraging their people to remain connected to home by visiting their towns and investing in legacy projects.
Also speaking, Chief Innocent Anieme, a native of Enugu-Agidi community and a civil servant, described the chieftaincy title bestowed on Ikeanyi as well deserved and urged him not to relent in keeping his father’s legacy alive.
Another native of the community, Mr. Pius Okonkwo, who attended the ceremony to celebrate with Ikeanyi, praised him for his forthrightness in championing the Igbo cause both at home and abroad.
Okonkwo described him as a trailblazer whose love for humanity neither discriminates nor wanes, and called on other affluent members of the community to emulate his humility despite his social status.