Chief Ndidi Emmanuel Nzakor is the acting Eze Ndigbo of Oyo State. In this interview with Julius Olobia, he speaks about the role of the socio-cultural group in building bridges with other tribes across the country d why the Igbo people are gifted in the area and of business. Excerpts:
As the president of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo State, what are your duties in this capacity?
Firstly, I am in an acting capacity until a new Eze Ndigbo is elected. So, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a socio-cultural organisation that deals with people from Igbo land, working for harmony with other tribes in the country and host communities, Members come together to talk about peace, our needs, how we can help one another and make sure we are in harmony with host communities.
In what ways can you describe the relationship between the Igbo in Oyo State and their host?
The relationship has been very cordial, and so far, we have a very good relationship with the people. Ibadan is more or less like a home to many of us, many of us were born and brought up here, the people are fantastic, and we relate well with them. Anytime the Olubadan is celebrating, he invites us and we go. The relationship has been very cordial.
It is general knowledge that the Igbo people are good in business, and they grow and feel at home wherever they reside and carry on their businesses. To your knowledge, what can you attribute to this business acumen of the Igbo people?
Everybody has his/her own destiny. There is something God bestowed on each one of us. The Ndigbo community is blessed generally with the gift of business, wherever you see the Igbo people doing business, it is usually very different, and it is God’s gift, and it doesn’t mean that other tribes are not blessed.
During the Christmas period of every year, there is usually a mass return of Igbo people to their communities in the East, such movement takes a fortune from them as this is the only time they enjoy their investments in their villages, so as an opinion leader, how can you explain this notion to us?
It is not only in December that the Igbo people travel, some travel anytime when there is need for it, possibly because of some events like festivals, the age-grade celebrations and so on, while some travel to check their farmlands and even harvest, but usually there is a mass return of people to their home towns in the East during December period because it is believed that it is a period of celebration where they get enough time to spend with their extended families during the long holiday
