Jimi Agbaje bags Igbo title, “Ezi Nwanne Ndigbo 1”

By Lucia Edafioka

The Ndigbo Socio Cultural Organisation in Lagos State on Thursday urged the Igbo-speaking people in the state to stay back and vote in Lagos, rather than travel for the Easter holidays. The group made the call at the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Jimi Agbaje, the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

NAN reports that Agbaje was given the title of “Ezi Nwanne Ndigbo 1” in the palace of Eze Cyril Anomneze in Surulere. Anomneze, who made the call on Igbos to stay back and vote, dressed the politician with his regalia and presented him with the insignia of office, including the title staff. He said that the title, Ezi Nwanne Ndigbo 1 means “the dearly beloved brother from another land”.

Anomneze said that Agbaje was a true friend of the Igbo people. “The bestowment of Ezi Nwanne Nidigbo is in recognition of his readiness to partner the Igbo nation on assumption of office.

“Ndigbo will be part of the incoming administration of Agbaje in Lagos State and will work assiduously to accomplish a landslide victory for both President Goodluck Jonathan and Agbaje. He advised the Igbo-speaking people in Lagos to shelve their plans to go to their villages for the Easter celebrations and stay in Lagos for the elections. Anomneze urged them to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and remain in Lagos to vote for Agbaje. “Considering the proximity of the 11th April Governorship Election to the Easter celebration, Ndigbo in Lagos State are advised not to travel out of Lagos State.

“This is to enable us optimise our electoral franchise for Agbaje,” he said. NAN reports that several Igbo titled men in Lagos, including the President-General of Igbo associations in Lagos, Chief bere Ubani, were at the programme. Meanwhile, at an interactive programme organised by the group later at the National Stadium, Agbaje promised to prioritise provision of employment for all residents of the state. He promised that Lagos State would be home to all tribes and a place where there would be no discrimination, if he won.