A new crisis might be brewing in the Akure community in Ondo State, following the installation of a new leader for the Igbo community in Akure kingdom, Chief Umenweke Titus, by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi after he abolished the Eze Ndigbo title.
Speaking during the installation, Oba Aladelusi said the installation of Titus as a new Igbo leader ought to have been performed about a year ago. He charged him to continue to toe the path of honour and integrity which he is known for.
While performing the rite on the new Igbo leader, the Asamo of Akure Kingdom, High Chief Rotimi Olusanya urged the new leader to lead the Igbo community rightly and ensure that there is a cordial relationship between them and the Akure people.
He advised him to toe a path that will ensure that there is a continued mutually beneficial relationship between the Igbo community and her host.
The monarch, while speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Michael Adeyeye said the stool was vacant for almost six years after the occupant of the office was removed due to his insubordination and disrespect to the exalted stool of the Akure monarchy.
He said the essence of waiting was to ensure that the Igbo community presents a consensus candidate that will be acceptable to them, adding that the palace took time to do adequate checks on the background and antecedents of the new leader before installing him to give direction to the Igbo community.
Oba Aladetoyinbo described the Igbos as an integral part of Akure Kingdom, saying: “We have inter-married, we share businesses together among other things. It is pertinent to say without any iota of doubt that the Igbo have been very instrumental and have contributed in no small measure to the success story of the economic viability of Akure land.”
The monarch also described the Igbos as industrious and said: “I want to tell you that my first wife is an Igbo woman. This will further tell you the bond and the respect I have for the Igbo people.”
While responding after taking his oath of allegiance, Titus said he was highly elated that his people found him worthy to be recommended as the leader of the Igbo community in Akure.
“I am equally grateful to Oba Aladetoyinbo for the confidence he reposed in me and I promise to ensure that henceforth, there will be a great bond of unity between the Igbo and the Akure people.
“We are one, we have our houses, businesses and families here. Therefore we are an inseparable part of the Akure community,” he said.
Titus who took his oath in Akure dialect to the admiration of the people said he had lived in Akure for over fifty years and that all his children speak the dialect and have all their friends here, saying “I want to say without fear of contradiction that I am an Akure man with Igbo blood.”
The installation was personally witnessed by the Deji of Akure Kingdom, the Akapinsa of Ipinsa, Akure Senior High Chiefs, High Chiefs, Chiefs and eminent sons and daughters of the Akure Kingdom as well as members of the Igbo community and other Heads of non-indigenous associations.
The Igbo community had been without a traditionally recognized leader since the removal of the then leader, Mr Gregory Iloehika and the subsequent placement of ban on the title of Eze Ndigbo in 2016.
While some Igbo still pay allegiance to Iloehika as the Eze Ndigbo, the Akure monarch installed Chief Titus as the new Igbo leader in the capital city of Akure.
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