SOURCE:

Faculty: Arts
Department: Religion And Human Relations

CONTRIBUTORS:

Nwanekezi,P.N;
Madu,J.E;

ABSTRACT:

Ozo title-taking is an interesting cultural practice of Ozubulu community. The members of this cultural institution are selected based on their integrity and high moral standard. With the advent of western civilization and Christianity, there is this impression that Ozo institution is a secret cult and the members are cultists. This dissertation is an effort to re-examine the Ozo institution for what it really is-a leadership institution and not necessarily a secret cult. The method used for data collection was qualitative approach. The analysis of data collected was through historical method and culture area approach. Historical method focused on the time frame (past, present and future) during which the culture has thrived. The culture area approach involves a particular area of the larger society where the culture exists. The research was carried out in Ozubulu. Certain theories were also used in this work. They include evolution theory and exchange theory. Evolution theory examined the gradual transformation evident in Ozo institution and its leadership within the past few decades. Using the evolution and exchange theories, the research observed that Ozo title-taking has transformed a lot to be more appreciated in this modern age. Thus, People now realize that the transformed Ozo institution is not a cult institution. The research finds out that the Christian Ozo in Ozubulu is a leadership institution that helps the king in running the affairs of the community. The research finds out that the leadership of the Christian Ozo in Ozubulu (which is the product of evolution and transformation) stands out as a prototype for the leadership of our country Nigeria. It is also believed that if the leadership principles of the present Ozo are applied in the leadership of our country Nigeria, there would be a tremendous chance in for good.