“The nonagenarian-to-centenarian monarch remains a symbol of unity, guiding Nnewi through decades of political, social and economic transformation”.
The traditional ruler of Nnewi, Anambra State, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III, has attained the remarkable age of 101, marking 63 years on the throne in a traditional leadership journey defined by wisdom, patience, peace and an enduring commitment to the unity of his people.
The centenarian monarch, who ascended the throne on February 6, 1963, and was formally crowned on June 2 of the same year, is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s longest-serving traditional rulers.
To commemorate the historic milestone, members of the royal family, the Nnewi Royal Cabinet and other indigenes of the community are expected to converge on his palace on Friday for a church service to thank God for his long life, good health and continued service to the community.
In a tribute to the monarch, a Lagos-based corporate and investment banker, Chief Anayo Matthew Nwosu, described Igwe Orizu’s physical and mental alertness at 101 as extraordinary, observing that his advanced age had not diminished his intellectual sharpness, wisdom and capacity to discharge traditional responsibilities.
According to Nwosu, the monarch remains actively involved in matters requiring his intervention, including the adjudication of cultural disputes, mediation and the resolution of sensitive community issues.
He attributed the monarch’s longevity and apparent resilience to his temperament, patience and non-confrontational disposition, particularly his ability to navigate disagreements and challenging situations without allowing them to undermine his leadership.
Nwosu noted that Igwe Orizu had presided over a defining period in Nnewi’s history, witnessing its transformation from a traditionally fragmented settlement into one of Nigeria’s leading industrial and commercial centres.
He said the monarch had not only sustained the traditional leadership legacy inherited from his predecessors but had also played a significant role in strengthening unity among the constituent communities that make up Nnewi.
Describing the monarch as an embodiment of Nnewi’s historical identity, Nwosu traced his ancestry through successive generations of traditional rulers dating back to Mazi Nnewi, after whom the community was named.
According to the historical account contained in the tribute, the Nnewi royal lineage passed through several generations of rulers, including Digbo, Otolo, Enem, Nnofor, Udude, Ezeagha and Ezeoguine, before eventually reaching the Orizu dynasty.
The account also highlighted the exploits of Ezeoguine, described as one of the most influential pre-colonial rulers of Nnewi, whose reign was characterised by military expansion and the consolidation of the community’s influence.
However, the arrival of British colonial forces subsequently altered Nnewi’s traditional and political landscape, bringing an end to the inter-community wars that had characterised the period.
The tribute further noted that Ezeugbonyimba, later known as Orizu I, recognised the importance of Western education and ensured that his son, Josiah, subsequently known as Orizu II, received formal education and embraced Christianity.
Josiah Orizu later became the father of the present monarch, Kenneth Orizu III.
One of the defining moments of Igwe Orizu III’s reign, according to Nwosu, was his decision to relinquish the title of Obi Nnewi in favour of a more conciliatory traditional arrangement at a time when disagreements over the title threatened the unity of the community.
He said the decision demonstrated the monarch’s willingness to make personal and institutional sacrifices to preserve peace and prevent divisions among the people.
Nwosu maintained that the relative unity Nnewi enjoys today is partly attributable to the monarch’s steady leadership and determination to keep the different sections of the community together.
He also observed that Nnewi’s emergence as a major commercial and industrial hub was driven by the enterprise, resilience and achievements of its people, whose contributions across different sectors have earned the town national and international recognition.
The banker described Igwe Orizu as a living link between the historical foundations of Nnewi and its contemporary achievements, noting that his exceptionally long reign had provided continuity through different political, social and economic periods in Nigeria’s history.
Indeed, at 101, the monarch’s 63-year reign represents an extraordinary chapter in Nnewi’s traditional history.
His years on the throne have spanned the colonial era, Nigeria’s independence, the Civil War, successive military administrations and the present democratic dispensation.
Nwosu, who described the monarch as his uncle, expressed gratitude to God for his life, longevity and continued service to Nnewi, praying for more years of good health, strength and wisdom for the revered traditional ruler.
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