20yrs ago, I was mocked for taking Onyendu title but today…

By Fred Iwenjora Industrialist and mogul of hospitality business, Onyendu Alex Sunday Nwoye is one of the most respected Igbo leaders in Lagos. Loved across board by all the groups and factions for what they consider his steadfastness, Nwoye took the title of Onyendu ndi igbo of Ejigbo Lagos more than twenty years. This was after intense pressure to become Eze ndigbo.

His fellow chiefs laughed him to scorn as being afraid of confronting the problems of ndigbo in diaspora when he insisted on Onyendu. Despite that the Onyendu title was not popular, Nwoye took the title with much grace. He also had the sole endorsement of Oba Moroof Ojoola, Ojon of Ejigbo who had earlier honored him with the Bobaselu title. Some laughed and mocked him for choosing what they considered a rather defeatist approach to Igbo leadership in diaspora.

This was because his coronation happened at a time when the Eze ndigbo title was so rife. Ezes were travelling across Lagos state and even across the west African sub region crowning one another at the time. But Nwoye who was already titled and beaded early in his life as DuruOchiriozuo of Uga Anambra state by his people, named Bobaselu of Ejigbo by Ejigbo Lagos community and Omereoha Ndigbo for varied contributions to society chose a different path.

He decided that Onyendu (leader) was a better title rather than Eze ndigbo. He stuck to this so called unpopular view for years undisturbed by the wailing. Even when two or more Ezes were also crowned in his domain after him claiming autonomy, Nwoye remained Onyendu without any other appendages. Now with over 20 years since he pioneered a new Igbo leadership approach in the Onyendu title, it has become the wave of the moment.

Many Igbo leaders in diaspora are now seeing the title as most preferred. An association named Association of Ndieze, Ndindu and Igbo Nobles (ANNIN) has even sprung out of the new movement. When asked how he came about the word Onyendu and why he stuck to it despite all criticisms from his fellow Igbo leaders in diaspora, Nwoye tells FRED IWENJORA; “I feel very vindicated.

I really was at peace with the title of Onyendu ndi Igbo since I first heard it. It really suited the purpose, did not antagonise anyone and is self explanatory. Igbo Leader pure and simple. “Moreover, I heed the call by Igbo leaders in a historic meeting in Ibadan that Eze seemed antagonistic upon our communities of residence who felt worried about having other HRMs in their domains.

“At the time also few Lagos Obas wanted to share their domain with any so called Eze ndi Igbo. I feel good that the idea is now acceptable by all. I live and do businesses outside my Igbo home base. So I am very conscious about people’s sensibilities and how not to agitate it. I also feel very good that the title is catching on now after many years despite the barrage of criticisms I received in those years.

Despite his involvement in industry, Onyendu Alex Nwoye is guru of the hospitality industry and has been honored serially by Igbo Speaking Community as well as Ohaneze ndigbo Lagos.