CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study Ozo title-taking is an interesting cultural practice in Igbo-land. This title-taking was the brain cchild of the traditionalists. But with time there was a serious transformation in it to accommodate the Christians. Thus, this work focuses more on the transformed Ozo title-taking which began from the mid 80s till date. The Ozo titled members are seen as people with integrity and high moral character within the town. They are selected for leadership purposes to assist the king in the rules and regulations of the community. As people take the Ozo title they assume the leadership positions in the community. This is so because apart from the leadership position earned by age as the eldest of the family or village, the traditional titles in Igbo land give the members the opportunity of becoming leaders in their various communities. Indeed Ozo title- taking and leadership are inter-twined. To be a titled man is to assume a leadership position in Igbo land. This could be one of the reasons why many want to join the Ozo society. These Ozo titled men, however, are selected on the basis of their integrity and high moral standard, not necessarily on the basis of their wealth. Ozo title-taking is considered as one of the best things that could happen in the life of any male adult in Igbo land. This is because of the honour and prestige it accords the members. Ozo title- taking brings about change in social status to the members. It gives the young ones the opportunity of being numbered among the elders of the community. This could be the reason why some wealthy young men desire to take Ozo title. As the person takes the title, he picks up a new titular name to answer. The members of Ozo society are regarded as elders because of the 1 title they have taken. They are placed in-charge of their village community. They look after the people in their community and strive to maintain peace and harmony within and outside the community. Thus, they help in the settlement of cases, boundary disputes, and minor misunderstanding within the community. Ozo institution has its moral code which serves as a guide both in words and actions, to the members. It serves to deter people from the use of actions and words that could be considered inappropriate either to a colleague in the title society or to anyone other person. The Ozo title society transforms men to be truthful at all time. This is one of the basic tenets of this title society. The members are trustworthy by virtue of their oath of office to discharge their duties well. They always stand by the truth to avoid incurring the wrath of the gods. They take the vow to say only but the truth which they know through the ritual of Isa Ire (cleaning of the tongue). People all over the world take different titles according to their cultural background. Even in Nigeria for instance, the Hausa and the Yoruba and other minority tribes take different titles according to their tribes. But that of Ozo is quite exceptional and different because of their system of leadership as well as their moral conduct. It is believed that the leadership system in Ozo title institution should go a long way to bring about a reform in the leadership of our country Nigeria. It will help to curb corruption in the leadership of the country and also plan a way forward for national growth and peaceful co-existence in the country. In spite of the increasing number of those who take Ozo title, the institution has been so commercialized that it engulfs a lot of money thereby, posing a big huddle for people who desire to take it. The well-to-do members of the Ozo title institution see the society as a means of 2 making money as well as maximizing their profits. Thus, they are not ready to entertain any excuse of cutting down on the expenditure thereof, for the new intakes. 1.2 Statement of the Problem The problem which this work addresses is to correct the wrong impression brought by the advent of western civilization and Christianity that Ozo title institution is a negative cult while its members are regarded as cultists. This wrong impression has been there for more than three decades. It has done a lot of harm to Ozo institution and as a result, has drastically reduced its popularity. Besides that, the members of this title institution are being stigmatized as cultists because of this wrong impression from the non initiates. They are ridiculed in the community and regarded as secret cult members when they are genuine citizens trying to promote Igbo culture by taking Ozo title. The members as it were, join hands with the king in running the affairs of their towns. But with the wrong impression people have about their membership, many people do not fancy joining them. Meanwhile those who have joined them are tempted to abandon their titular positions of honour due to the stigma thereof. The leadership of Ozo title institution in Ozubulu community will also be a priority to this work vis-à-vis the leadership in Nigeria. Due to corruption and poor leadership in Nigeria, this work focuses on Ozo title leadership in Ozubulu as an application for curbing the problem of bad governance and leadership in Nigeria. This work will seek a way of curbing corruption in the leadership of Nigeria through the prism of Ozo title leadership in Ozubulu. 3 1.3 Purpose of the study The specific objectives of Ozo title-taking and leadership in Ozubulu include the following: i.To investigate Ozo title institution in Ozubulu. Due to the wrong impressions which the people have about Ozo title-taking, there arises the need to address the misconception about Ozo institution. This will give a face lift to this noble institution whose image has been battered. This goes a long way to boost its prestige. Thus, people will now begin to appreciate this title institution as it really is and not as they perceive it. This will restore the honour and prestige of Ozo titled members and as well boost the number of those willing to join the noble institution in Ozubulu. ii. To explore the Ozo title leadership in Ozubulu in order to find out what makes it a formidable one for these decades of Ozo institution in Ozubulu. The leadership of Ozo in Ozubulu rests in the hands of the Ozo titled men who work harmoniously with the king for the maintenance of the rules and regulations of the town. iii. To examine the system of leadership in Nigeria in order to find out the problem with the leadership of our country and chart a way forward through the application of the leadership scheme of Ozo title institution in Ozubulu for better leadership in future. Leadership in our country seems to have lost its sense of direction due to bad governance, greed, selfish interest, and what have you. The political leaders do not mind the people they go to serve rather they concern themselves with what they gain from the system. This has brought about untold corruption in the land. This research examines the situation on order to proffer possible solutions as a way forward. 4 iv. To assess the impact of Ozo title taking and leadership in Ozubulu and beyond. To find out how Ozo title institution as part of our culture has influenced the way of life of the people of Ozubulu and the Igbo-land by extension. The impact of Ozo institution spans beyond Ozubulu, and Igbo land. It has a far reaching influence on the people elsewhere since man is a social being. As the people of Ozubulu mingle with people in Igbo-land, in Nigeria and the world over, they influence them from what they have learnt from these Ozo titled leaders at the local communities in Ozubulu. 1.4 The Significance of the Study The research is significant in the following ways: The study will help to beef up in a little way the library of works on Ozo title-taking both in Ozubulu and Igbo land in general. A lot of works have been written on Ozo title-taking. This research becomes an addition to the already existing works on the subject matter. With the research, Ozo institution will be cleared of the doubts of being a secret cult. Even the members seen as cultists will be vindicated too. With this research therefore, the wrong impression about Ozo title institution will be dropped. Thus, the people then begin to see Ozo institution as part of our cultural heritage that is open to everybody: young and old, even the women folk has their own roles to play as wives of the Ozo titled men. It will no longer be seen as a secret cult as formerly misconstrued. The research sheds light on Ozo leadership whose title holders are selected men of integrity who assume their leadership as close allies with the king in administering the rules and regulations in the town. The study on Ozo leadership in Ozubulu will demonstrate how it will bring by way of extension the desired change in the leadership of our country. This is because the leadership of 5 Ozo title in Ozubulu will be used as a prototype for the leadership of our country Nigeria. Since the leadership of Ozo in Ozubulu is well organized with every good agenda for maintenance of peace and progress in the town, it will by way of extension help to reorganize the leadership system of our country when its principles are applied in the leadership of the nation.