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Anambra State is a Nigerian state, located in the southeastern region of the country. The state was created on 27 August 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State and Rivers State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north.
Nnewi is a commercial and industrial city in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria. It is the second largest city in Anambra state after Onitsha. Nnewi as a metropolitan area has two local government area, which are Nnewi North and Nnewi South, all centred around the Nnewi town. Even Ekwusigo local government area is now part of Nnewi urban area, as urbanization continues to spread from Nnewi to neighbouring communities. The Nnewi town which is the only town in Nnewi North comprises four villages: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi. Nnewi had been the centre of economics and commerce, being at a time the fastest growing industrial city east of the Niger, being the home of many industries such as The Ibeto Group, the Chicason Group, Cutix Cables, amongst others. The first indigenous car manufacturing plant in Nigeria is located in the city while the first wholly Made-in-Nigeria motorcycle, the 'NASENI M1' was manufactured in Nnewi.
Prince Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor Orizu was a Nigerian of Igbo origin who served as President of the Nigerian Senate from 1963 to 15 January 1966, during the Nigerian First Republic. Orizu was also Acting President of Nigeria from late 1965 until the military coup of January 1966. He was a member of the Nnewi Royal family. His nephew Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III is the current Igwe (King) of Nnewi Kingdom. Nwafor Orizu College of Education in Nsugbe, Anambra State, is named after him.
Ogidi is an Igbo speaking town and the headquarters of Idemili North Local Government area, Anambra State, Nigeria. It has an estimated population of 70,000 people and share boundaries with neighbouring towns like Abatete, Ṅkpọr, Ụmụnnachị, Ụmụoji, Ogbụnike and Ụmụdiọka.
The Umuoji people are those whose roots can be traced to the town of Umuoji, in Idemili North - a local government area in Anambra State, Nigeria. These people are an Igbo speaking ethnic group, whose early history is adversely affected by a lack of, or non-existent, written records. Umuoji is bounded by Ogidi, Ojoto, Uke, Abatete and Nkpor and has an estimated population of 80,000 people which includes local residents in its 23 villages and citizens in diaspora.
Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III is the 20th Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi kingdom. He is the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader in Nnewi, an Igbo city in Nigeria. He is a member of the Nnofo Royal lineage and the successor to his father Igwe Josiah Orizu II, his grandfather Igwe Orizu I, and great-grandfather Igwe Iwuchukwu Ezeifekaibeya. Unlike most Igbo chiefs, there were heads of Nnewi before the arrival of Europeans. In Anambra State, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III is the vice chairman of the Anambra State House of Chiefs and as of 2015 one of the longest-serving tribal Kings in the world.
Egedege Dance is one of the most renowned traditional dance outfits and an Igbo traditional Royal-styled cultural dance in the whole of South Eastern Nigeria. Founded in 1985, it is a reincarnation of an old version originally performed by the ancestors of the present-day Unubi. In those days, it was a moonlight dance, performed by youths. It has however been remodeled to fit modern trends. Their performance is a combination of songs, dance, Instrumentation and colorful traditional outfits. Their performance is introduced by elaborate fluting which is the entrance cue that heralds the group, led by the queen. The singing only begins when the queen reaches the stage and takes the microphone. She arrives under a big umbrella, carried by one man, with another fanning her from behind. She sings but sometimes dance to the rhythm of the instrument. Egedege dance was made popular by Mrs Theresa Onuorah in Unubi Town. She is happily married and lives in Unubi. The name Egedege stems from a local slang for richness and bravery which explains why the dance is considered Cultural classics and are only played in a royal homes or rich families.
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Igwe Orizu I was the 18th Obi of Otolo and the Igwe of Nnewi kingdom. He was the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader in Nnewi, an Igbo city in Eastern Nigeria. Eze Ugbonyamba was crowned the King of Nnewi and he took the ofo of Nnewi after his father's death in 1904. He was a member of the Nnofo Royal lineage and the successor to his father Igwe Iwuchukwu Ezeifekaibeya. Igwe Orizu I died in 1924 and was succeeded by his first son Igwe Josiah Orizu II. One of remarkable events of his reign was the arrival of the British in 1905.
Igwe Josiah Nnaji Orizu II (1902–1962) was the 19th Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi kingdom. He took the ofo of Nnewi in 1924 after his father's death. He is a member of the Nnofo Royal lineage and the successor to his father Igwe Orizu I , He was the first Igwe to officially become a Christian, although the traditional rulers of Nnewi are the ofo holders and as such, preservers and upholders of Nnewi culture and traditions.
Awka-Etiti, historically known as Awka-Diedo ; later mentioned as Awka-Nkakwu (Okankaku) by colonial authors, is an affluent town comprising seven villages in Idemili South local government area of Anambra state, Nigeria. The seven villages of Awka-Etiti in order of age established are: Nkolofia, Umunocha, Ejighinandu, Iruowelle, Umudunu, Nnaba and Ogunzele.
Igwe, is a royal title or method of addressing traditional rulers that control autonomous communities in Igboland. In other words, Igbos approximate the term to the HM style. An Igwe is therefore defined as a holder of a title of respect and honor in Igboland. Such a person is otherwise known as an Eze. The foremost and one of the most respected Igwe's in Igboland is Igwe of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III.
The Nnewi monarchy is a traditional inheritance of the throne based on patrilineality and sonship heredity. In Nnewi the traditional monarch is called the Igwe. The Igwe is born and not made or elected, and the institution of inheritance is the traditional right and primogeniture privilege. The position is neither transferable nor negotiable.
The House of Nnofo is the ruling dynasty of the Nnewi Kingdom, a subnational monarchy that is part of the Nigerian chieftaincy system in Nigeria. The authority of the Nnofo dynasty is primarily in Otolo. In the other three quarters of Nnewi, the influence of the Nnofo monarch is felt but very slightly – a situation which has arisen from the fact that the chiefs in these quarters are virtually autonomous. Royal descent plays an important role in many Igbo societies; authority and property tend to be lineally derived. Among the tribes which recognize a single ruler, the hereditary bloodline of the rulers forms a dynasty.
Igwe Okafo was the 16th Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi kingdom. He was the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader in Nnewi, an Igbo city in Nigeria. He is a member of the Nnofo Royal lineage and the successor to his father Eze Ukwu. Unlike most Igbo monarchies, there were kings of Nnewi before the arrival of Europeans.
Eze Ukwu was the 15th Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi kingdom. He was the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader in Nnewi, an Igbo city in Nigeria. He was a member of the Nnofo Royal lineage and the successor to his father Eze Chukwu. Unlike most Igbo monarchies, there were kings of Nnewi before the arrival of Europeans.
Uruagu is a town in Nnewi North, Anambra State, Nigeria. Uruagu is the second quarter among the four quarters of Nnewi town. Others are Otolo, Umudim and Nnewichi.
Umudim is a village in Nnewi North, Anambra State, Nigeria. Umudim as we know is the third quarter among the four quarters of Nnewi town. Others are Otolo, Uruagu and Nnewichi. Umudim Community has ten (10) Administrative wards as follows.
Afiaolu is a traditional festival held annually in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria around August. The Afiaolu festival commences on “Eke” day with what is traditionally described as “Iwaji” and Ikpa Nku, this heralds the availability of new yam as well as thanksgiving to God. The festival includes a variety of entertainments including performance of ceremonial rites by the Igwe (king), cultural dance by girls and masquerade dance.
References
- 1 2 3 Dr. John Okonkwo Alutu, Nnewi History (from the Earliest times to 1980/82),Fourth Dimension publishers
- ↑ Admin, Nnewi. "Igwe Iwuchukwu Eze ifekaibeya - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Archived from the original on 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
- 1 2 Onwutalobi, Anthony-Claret. "Nnofo Royal Lineage - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Archived from the original on 2021-06-19. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
- 1 2 Onwutalobi, Anthony-Claret. "Nnewi Monarchy - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Archived from the original on 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
- ↑ Admin, Nnewi. "List of Nnewi Monarchs - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Retrieved 2015-09-17.[ permanent dead link ]