Nri Kindom, the ancient root of Igbo nation, recently unveiled and celebrated the 14th Eze Nri, Eze Obalike.
Answering questions on the significance of today’s unveiling ceremony, Oba Eddie Nwaeri, alias Okutaoloibe, stated that it was an opportunity to immortalize the 14th Eze Nri of Nri, Eze Obalike and bring to limelight the role he played in preserving the tradition and culture of not just Nri people but the Igbos in general.
Eze Obalike reign witnessed a major assault on the culture, traditional institution and authority of the Priestly king of Ndi Igbo “Eze Nri” by the colonial masters. As was clearly stated by Professor Paul Basau of Oxford University, UK in his good will message at the unveiling ceremony and also by other anthropologists, the attempted rape of the Igbo culture did not lead to the expected annihilation of Igbo civilization as the truth cannot be buried or covered for ever by the hands of the unjust and disruptive colonialism.
On why now, Oba Nwaeri immediate response wass that God’s time is the best and that the event is a lesson to sundry that we must leave a good legacy for our children and posterity. Who is in a better position to tell the story of Eze Nri Obalike but his educated grandson who by the grace of God is 98 years old and as fit as a lion.
Oba Nwaeri further shared his thought and philosophy in the following words of wisdom. “The event is a clarion call for us to assimilate other cultures that will bring progress to our society but retain and defend cultural values that define us as a proud, unique creation of God “Chukwu Okike”.
These include but not limited to respect for our elders, mastering the English languages but preserving our mother tongue, our dress code, cultural heritages, pursuit of excellence, investment in our community because “onye rapu uno nna, afifia ekochie mbana dike” etc. Our cultures and traditions have evolved over thousands of years and they define who we are, but these must be dyna