Eze Igbo Ghana Ihenetu Calls on Ndigbo to Respect the Law of their Host Country

The Eze Ndigbo Ghana, HRM Eze Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu, has dismissed insinuations, making the rounds that Igbo in Ghana are criminal who engage in kidnapping and armed robbery.

In the interview monitored on Sabi Television, the Royal Father said Igbo contributed a lot in the development of Ghana and are willing to do more as long as the environment remains conducive.

On the issue of multiple Eze Udo Ndigbo in Ghana, HRM Eze Ihenetu said Ezes were created in province and regions in Ghana for administrative purposes.

“I am the paramount king of Ndigbo in Ghana. So far, we have created 6 thrones. The first one we inaugurated was (1) Eze Dr Samuel Ekezie, Eze Udo Igbo Sempe, then (2) Eze Kennedy Obi Ginikanwa, Eze Udo Na madina, (3) Eze Chuma Okadigbo, Eze Udo Ndigbo Danfa, (4) Eze Andrew Chukwu Eze Udo Na Amasama, (5) Eze Victor Ayumi Eze Udo Na Aflao , (6) Eze Tony Ulasi Eze Udo Domi Kabiya. (7)Eze Kingsley Chinedu Igwe, Eze Igbo Central Region, (8)Eze Denis AbuchiOha, Eze Udo Kasuwa, (9)Eze Kingsly Ebo, Eze Udo Asiama . All this by the grace of God is under my control as the paramount king.

“All these other sub kings in regions and local government are created for administrative purposes. I ensure that in every constituency in Ghana, we have kings that see the need for an Igbo there. When people have problem, they can’t just move from Anasuma or Northern province to seek solution here.

“The issue is better addressed by the Eze Udo in that region, state, or province, as the case may be. If the case is too difficult for the Eze Udo to handle, they can now refer it to me as the paramount king. So together with the elders, we can now attend to it.

“It is just like when you are talking of paramount king back home here in Nigeria, they also have sub kings under the paramouncy. And remember that here in Ghana, we also have Kabiyesi, while Hausa has Sariki. These leaders also help direct affairs of their people.

“Through these structures, we are able to promote our culture and educate our people about how they can respect the law of the land. Some of our people are traders, and because they started to trade early in life, they may not know how to read and write.

“Some who are educated may not have time to read about rule and regulations of their host nation. But through community meetings under the Eze Udo that we put in place, at this level we educate our people 24/7 on how they can do the right thing and be at peace with the host nation Ghana.

“We Africans cherish culture a lot. it is also a way of life. Through your culture, people easily identify you.

“We promote our language through these traditional institutions. Remember, most of us here gave birth to our children here. so we take speaking of Igbo language very seriously. that’s why it is compulsory for all to speak the language to our children.

“With the establishment of the thrones, one of the cardinal points is for all to speak our language to our children using every opportunity available to do so.

On allegations of kidnapping, killings, against Nigerians, HRM Ihenetu said: “The most important thing we should understand is that as a foreigner, you are a target in that land. You must respect yourself and be a good ambassador of your country.

“When we talk about leadership, everything must not rest on the shoulder of the president. Whether you are a truck pusher, rich, or poor, we must all do our parts to make the country work. The mistake our people are making is that we refuse to understand who we are.
“A Ghanian may be the worst being on earth, but his fellow Ghanaian may not see him that way. Once you are a foreigner, all eyes will be on you.
“The kind of car you drive, the kind of dress you wear and the style of shopping you do attracts attention from your host. Maybe you are most genuine person on earth, it will also take sometimes for mutual trust to be established.
“So when they become uncomfortable with your way of life, they may report to the police. When police come in. and investigate, and the allegations prove to be false. You are cleared, but it it proves otherwise, you face the law.

“On the issue of kidnapping, I have spoken to the Ghanaian government through print and electronic media that it is proper to investigate very well before giving out information that may be real or false.

“I don’t somehow blame them because social media has turned everyone into emergency journalist. people can stay anywhere and cook up falsehood, which they disseminate to cause confusion.

“May be it is not police that is saying that because if you go to them, they would say they are still investigating. until then, it is not fair to speculate.

“Nonetheless, out of every 12, there must be one Judas. While not holding brief for Nigerians, it is practically wrong to brand every Nigerians as criminals because of the alleged activity of a few bad eggs.
“Even America, where you see worst crimes,where you see worst crimes, where students can carry firearms and kill their fellow students, yet all Americans are not branded killers.
“Crime even started from heaven. Why did God threw Satan and the demons down to the Earth? is it not because of rebellion and other crimes committed by Satan and his cohorts? Remember that it was angels of God that threw Satan down.

“So, law enforcement agents are like loyal angels of God, and their duty is to carry out instructions as spelt out in the constitution and protect the country from criminals.

“To me, I’m one hundred per cent convinced that Nigerians living in Ghana are not kidnappers or armed robbers. Nigerians are not here to destroy Ghana economy. Rather, we are here to contribute to the growth of the economy. we are here to support the growth of the country. 40 per cent of Igbo here are landlords.

“All the houses we built here, at our old age, we can not relocate them back to Nigeria. But we can not say because we are here to develop the country, them allow crime and criminals yo exist. aso it is the duty of Nigerians to report any Nigerians found commiting crime. Armed robbery and kidnapping should be reported to law enforcement agents.

“If you see Ghanaians yelling on our people, it is because of what they see in social media and the wrong attitude of our people. Our people should be good ambassadors of our country by doing the right thing at the right time.”he said.