KINGSLEY EBERE
What was meant to be a celebration of age and service almost turned into a contest of titles on Saturday at St Peter and Paul Catholic Church Hall, Ejigbo Lagos. The 70th birthday of top Igbo leader, Eze Dr Alex Sunday Nwoye, also known as Onyendu Ndigbo, became the stage for a supremacy issue between Council of Ndieze Lagos State and the recently formed Ndindu group.
Eze Nwoye, who is a member of both groups, found himself in the middle of the tension. But his quick intervention and wisdom saved the day. Instead of division, the event ended with prayers, unity, and goodwill messages for the elder statesman who clocked 70.
Trouble started early when Ezendigbo Gburugburu Southwest, Eze Tochukwu Anosike, arrived with Council of Ndieze Lagos State. The delegation was led by Eze Dr Ephraim Nnaemeka Okosisi, Chairman of the Council, alongside senior members including Eze John Nwosu, Eze Lawrence Nnamdi Eze, Eze Jude Odumodu, Eze Emmanuel Chukwuakalikamadu, Eze Timothy Nwanoro, and Eze Chukwudi Okparaku, Eze Monday Lawrence, Eze Nichols Njoku, Onowu Andymoore, Onowu Odinaka Iwu and many others.
Leaders of the Igbo Speaking Community also came in full force. The group is seen as custodian of the Eze title in Diaspora. They were led by the Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr Jonathan Nnaji, and President General, Chief Sunday Udeh, with their entourage.
The atmosphere shifted again with the arrival of Ndindu leaders. Onyendu Gburugburu, Chief Uche Dimgba, also known as Okpotemba, came in with Chief Peter Umeh, Chief John Greg and members from Oyo State. Ndindu is a new platform formed by some Southeast traditional leaders to promote Igbo cultural identity in Diaspora.
The hall became divided during introductions. The first MC, identified as Oxygen, announced that nobody would be addressed as “Eze” but only as “Onyendu”. That pronouncement changed the mood. Traditional leaders from Ndieze side frowned at it while Ndindu members supported the directive.
A second MC quickly intervened to calm nerves. He declared that the event organizers would not be involved in the politics of titles. He said names submitted for recognition would be announced as given, whether “Onyendu” or “Ezendigbo”. That statement reduced tension but did not end it.
The issue of breaking the Igbo kolanut became the next flashpoint. In Igbo tradition, the oldest or most senior person breaks kolanut. But with two groups present and title disputes unresolved, it was clear that allowing only Onyendu title holders to break kolanut could trigger a serious clash.
That was when the celebrant, Eze Nwoye, stepped in. At 70, he showed why he is respected as a bridge-builder. He directed that both Ndieze and Ndindu leaders would pray over the kolanut together before it was broken. The move doused tension and brought applause from guests.
Community members described Eze Nwoye’s action as timely and mature. They said his dual membership of Ndieze and Ndindu gave him the moral authority to speak to both sides. At 70, he used his birthday to preach unity instead of division among Igbo leaders in Lagos.
The Council of Ndieze Lagos State has for years been the main body coordinating traditional leaders in Diaspora. Its members see themselves as custodians of the Eze stool. Ndindu, on the other hand, was formed recently to create a broader cultural platform and is gaining support across states.
Eze Nwoye’s 70th birthday therefore, became more than a personal milestone. It became a test of maturity for both groups. Guests watched closely to see if age and wisdom would prevail over supremacy battles. Eze Nwoye ensured wisdom won.
Lolo Jacinta Nwoye stood firmly beside her husband throughout the event. She supported his peace efforts and later addressed guests. She thanked God for her husband’s life and prayed that Ndieze and Ndindu would continue to work together for the good of Ndigbo.
Eze Nwoye’s son, Uche Nwoye, also delivered a tribute. He praised his father for teaching them discipline and service. He thanked God for 70 years and prayed that his father would continue to mentor leaders on unity. His words moved many guests to tears.
In the end, the 70th birthday of Eze Dr Alex Sunday Nwoye closed with cake cutting, cultural dances, and goodwill messages. Leaders from both Ndieze and Ndindu shook hands and took photos together. For many, the message was clear: at 70, Eze Nwoye chose peace over supremacy, and unity over division.
