The governor of Imo State in Nigeria’s south-east has endorsed the position of controversial Igbo traditional rulers in the diaspora.
Addressing a group of Eze Igbo who visited him in the state capital Owerri, Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha also announced his government’s intention to issue such Igbo ‘kings’ with full staff of office.
This will permit them to freely operate and effectively organise Igbos in their communities abroad, as reported by local online newspaper TheHeartlander.com.
The governor also took the opportunity to highlight some of his achievements since coming to power in 2011, including the introduction of a fourth tier in the system of governance by way of a community government council, which he said is enhancing the lives of people throughout the state.
Governor Okorocha added that he is currently mulling over establishing a community government council for Imo State indigenes in the diaspora.
Earlier, the national president of the group Eze Nwabueze Ohazuruike, Eze Npume II of Lagos State, said the traditional institution in the diaspora works to promote peace and unity, as well as the interests of Igbos around the world.