Ozo title not diabolic but Igbo tradition to promote culture – Market boss, Anuna insist 

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha 

The president general of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, Chief Humphrey Anuna, has dismissed with the wave of the hand, speculation in some quarters that Ozo title is fetish and diabolic.  

He described as false and unfounded the belief by those he said were not properly informed  on their origin that it is evil worship stating that it is a figment of their own imagination that Ozo title is diabolic.

Anuna made this disclosure when he stormed Chief Bobfrancis Nzekwe’s residence at Eziowelle, Idemili North Local Government Area, in company of some of his executives for the conferment of Ozo title on Bob Francis, his son, sibling and cousin at Akuabata Nzekwesi family.

He commended those that were conferred with Ozo title holders for attaining this height, stating that, “Being an Ozo title holder shows that you will avoid any evil doings and stop telling lies, since Ozo title holders are people known for truth.

“From now you will be living an exemplary life worthy of emulation  that promotes Igbo culture. You should disassociate yourselves from evil men both in their community or anywhere you find yourselves”‘ he advised.

In his own speech, Chief Samuel Ifurunwa, Chairman of Old Motor Car Parts Dealers Association Mgbuka Obosi Market, Ugwuagba Obosi, congratulated the Nzekwesi family and advised them to maintain peace and harmony in their life, even as he prayed God to protect and guide the family.

One of the conferred Ozo title holders who is the contractor on installation of CCTV cameras in all markets in the state, Chief Bobfrancis Nzekwe, said that, “I have already been initiated into Ozo title because when my father was alive, he was conferred, ‘Ora Nwezueaku,’ he initiated his children which I am one of them.  

“So now that my father is late, that is the reason I want to retain that title,  ‘Oranwezueaku.’ In Igbo land, Ozo title is not a secret society and not a fraternity, is an organisation that helps the needy and community too. When you are being conferred with Ozo title people will come, dine and wine with you. In turn too we benefit from someone who wants to take Ozo title the whole who wants to take Ozo title” he stated.

On Igbo culture he said, “culture per say, is not idolatry, or idol worship, Ozo in Igbo land means to speak the truth, we will not join hands with evil if it were to be evil and celebrate the idol festival. I will only caution that our culture and heritage is not idolatry. I will be telling people to abstain from idol worship and face the reality which is our own Igbo way of life.

On how to reconcile his profession with Ozo title he said, “Ozo title has nothing to do with my business, I will still do my business and if anyone wants to be initiated into Ozo title and invited me, he will schedule time to do it, and if I am opportuned I will attend and celebrate with the person. I will do my business and make sure my family is up and doing 

“I don’t celebrate anything called Iwa ji, it is idolatry, in olden days the original name was Iro Mmuo, I am advocate of telling people not to be involved in such celebration because it kills when you go into idolatry.” He said.