Ezendigbo of Ibadan land and Oyo state His Royal Highness (HRH) Eze Matthias Jawachi Achinike, Ezendigbo 11 has vowed to unite Ndigbo in Ibadan land and Oyo state as a whole.
Speaking at his maiden Iri-ji ceremony (yam eating) typical of Igbo to celebrate a very successful harvest year, Ezendigbo who was installed on April 23, 2026 at the Ohanaeze headquarters at Ososami, Ibadan stated he was not enthused by factions obtained among the Igbo resident in Ibadan and Oyo state in general.
He posited that the situation was caused the penchant of some disgruntled Igbo people to dissent due to reasons often related to greed or selfishness instead of the common goal of the ethnic group.
His Royal Highness Achinike stated that he would not be daunted by this factor noting that he would purse the agenda relentlessly as his predecessor late Eze Dr Alex Chukwudum Anozie who until his demise on September 23, 2023 championed the unity and oneness of Ndigbo in Oyo state through his activities and utterances.
Speaking about the yam eating proper, Eze Achinike said the occasion was one which Ndigbo used to thank God for a successful harvest after the fruitful planting season noting the ceremony was an age long culture inherited from the forebears of Ndigbo.
While cutting the roasted yam along with some royal fathers such as the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Ambassador Aliu Balogun and the Okobaro of the seventeen kingdoms of Urhobo land in Oyo state, Chief Samuel Anigboro, he prayed for peace and progress just as he made supplication for sound body and mind now and the next year to the almighty God.
He urged all Igbos to chart the part of unity and oneness whenever they are nothing that Igbo people are renowned for the enterprise and industriousness instead of encouraging dissent and disunity.
The highlight of the occasion was the traditional cutting of the roasted yam and its subsequent cutting into pieces for it to be shared to everyone for eating with it’s traditional soup made of palm oil and ugba and onions.
The event also attracted Igbo leaders from outside Ibadan who came to witness the historic maiden yam eating by the new Ezendigbo of Ibadan land and Oyo state.
Meanwhile, the new Ezendigbo of Ibadan land Eze Achinike has admitted no fewer than 9 new members into his cabinet, the Eze in Council on Saturday.
He explained that the admittance and installation was simply there installation as chiefs and not as title ones adding that they could push for the titles with the right Ceremony and necessary requirements and attitudes.
Eze Achinike stated that they were carefully selected on merit after thorough consideration pointing this was after they were found to be worthy of admittance due to their conducts and impeccable reputation and good character.
He urged them to continue in this wise while explaining that they could quickly take the necessary steps that would make them titled chiefs through their various contributions and actions.
His Royal Highness equally stated that their time is of essence to the body just as their financial contributions and sound advises.
Those admitted include Chief Luke Ajuka, Chief Celestine Nwanguma, Chief Stephen Ogbolu, Chief Anthony David Chukwu and John Amadianeze Ishiriga as well as Chief Ifeanyi Nwabude and Chief Luke Mmakogu.
Others are Chief Jerome Uba and Chief Emmanuel Oloh Ikechukwu.
Speaking on their behalf, Chief Ikechukwu thanked the new Ezendigbo of Ibadan land EZE Achinike for his gesture and trust in them pointing that he was particularly elated that he was so honored and elevated.
He promised to support the body with much of his time and resources noting that he would work relentlessly for the unity, progress of the body as required by the new monarch.
Chief Ikechukwu stated that he would not be found wanting in his duties arguing that the position is an an opportunity to serve and uplift Ndigbo and Ohanaeze Ndigbo in general.
