By  PRISCA SAM-DURU

The 33rd Centre for Values In Leadership’s Leader Without Title (LWT) Leadership Colloquium held in honour of His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Agbogidi of Onitsha at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, was one of those unique occasions that reflect the beauty of cultures of the people of Nigeria.

Although the celebrator’s mien was exceptionally dazzling at the colourful celebration, others who came in his company as well as colleagues, friends also glowed in their regalia. They poured encomiums on the Agbogidi who they unanimously described as best well read and erudite traditional ruler. They also advised Anambra people to insist that their traditional rulers must be in the pedigree and character of Igwe Achebe.

While praising the celebrator for his wealth of knowledge and role he has played in the lives of his people, former Ambassador to the United States of America, George Obiozo lamented the dearth of intellectuals to run the affairs of the country. “…In the country today all we have is mediocre, meandering and philandering. I commend people like Professor Pat Utomi for his efforts to raising people to move our country forward. He left what other people are doing- pursuit of money, to develop ideas, knowing that among the most important index of the 6 indices of power, idea is number one.”

Themed ‘ Modern Traditional Leaders as Development Catalysts’, the event held as part of activities organised to mark the Igwe’s 75th birthday. It witnessed the gathering of eminent Nigerians who dissected issues revolving around the evolving traditional institution as catalyst for  development.

As it is the tradition of CVL, the colloquium featured panelists who dissected the theme of the celebration, ‘Modern Traditional Leaders as Development Catalysts’. Founder, Centre for Values in Leadership,CVL, Professor Pat Utomi who anchored the panel raised some nagging questions such as; How can traditional leaders become development catalysts in the face of modernisation, what role does traditional institutions play in reviving our values? Is there legitimacy crisis that affects the function of traditional rulers in their ability to influence the followers?

Responding to the question of whether there is legitimacy crisis that affect the function of traditional ruler in their ability to influence the followers, Chris Asoluka posited that the real traditional leaders always stand as symbol of unity, development of his people and serves as their rallying point. He described Agbogidi’s style of traditional rule as a true development catalyst as it reflects the sensibility of his people. On the challenges of traditional institutions, he said that governors who come to power will always choose their own cronies from those who supported them during election.

Former Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch Magazine, Ray Ekpu said, considering Igwe Achebe’s profile especially as regards his wealth of knowledge having studied at the prestigious Columbia University etc, he is cerebral to have had decades of experience with Shell Nigeria and Royal Dutch Shell Group and after retirement, was called back to assist. He concurred with Utomi that there’s decline in quality leadership but there’s also sharp rise in quality of traditional rulers. He however posited that traditional rulers should be encouraged to be as apolitical as possible and at the same time, hold on to their views. While raising some gender related issues, Ekpu stressed that it has become very important for learned traditional rulers to ensure women’s integrity is upheld.

He also called on the Igwe to revive Onitsha market literature adding that the city was renowned as centre for commerce & trade, and genre of Onitsha market literature.

Executive Vice Chairman, Ibadan School of Government & Policy, Dr Tunji Olaopa on is own part, emphasised the need for traditional leaders to front the return of history in school curriculum adding that a nation that does not respect the essence of history cannot develop.