List of Igbo Nnewi monarchs

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The Monarchy of Nnewi concerns the monarchical head of state of Nnewi, which is a traditional and hereditary monarchy with a tetrarchy system. The Kingdom of Nnewi has been a monarchy since 15th century. [1] Chiefdoms were set up at various dates in the four quarters, but it was naturally in Otolo - the original settlement of Mmaku, the grandfather of Nnewi - that the first chiefdom was established under the reign of Mmaku in 1498. Mmaku's wife was Ifenweugwu and his son, Ikenga. Mmaku was on his death succeeded by Ikenga, who married Ifite and begot a child he named Nnewi. Later, Isu, Ifite and Ichi were begotten. [2]

Until now, the ruling house of Otolo which is as well that of the entire Nnewi is in Nnofo family in Otolo, Nnewi. In the other three quarters of Nnewi, his influence is also felt although there are Obi in Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewichi quarters.

The role of the Monarch is limited to the four quarters of Nnewi, and have no part in the formal governance of the Anambra State. The Monarch and the members of the Royal Family undertake a variety of official, unofficial and other representational duties within Nnewi, Nigeria and abroad. [3]

Since 1477 till date, the List of Igbo monarchs gives a list of Igbo chieftains and kings from their earliest known history up to the current monarch.

Chief Kenneth Onyeneke, Igwe Orizu III became King on 2 June 1963 [4] on the death of his father, Chief Josiah Nnaji, Igwe Orizu II.

List of Nnewi monarchs

Line of succession to the Nnewi ThroneNames of MonarchDOBDeathReign
1stEze Mmaku147715291498–1529
2ndEze Ikenga150315771529–1577
3rdEze Nnewi153016071577–1607
4thEze Okpala156016291607–1608
5thEze Digbo156316351608–1631
6thEze Otolo156616391631–1639
7thEze Enem159816751639–1651
8thEze Nnofo160016851651–1685
9thEze Udude162517101685–1710
10thEze Agha (Onuo Ora)165017451710–1745
11thEze Agha Jnr168517631745–1747
12thEze Nnwa170117911747–1791
13thEze Oguine174018311791–1831
14thEze Chukwu176918401831–1840
15th Eze Ukwu 179918621840–1862
16th Igwe Okafo 183018911862–1891
17th Eze ifekaibeya Igwe Iwuchukwu 185519041891–1904
18th Eze Ugbonyamba, Igwe Orizu I 188119241904–1924
19th Chief Josiah Nnaji, Igwe Orizu II 190119631924–1962
20th Chief Kenneth Onyeneke, Igwe Orizu III 1925living1963-

[5]

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References

  1. Onwutalobi, Anthony-Claret. "Nnewi Monarchy - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Archived from the original on 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  2. Admin, Nnewi. "List of Nnewi Monarchs - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Retrieved 2015-09-15.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. Onwutalobi, Anthony-Claret. "History - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
  4. Onwutalobi, Anthony-Claret. "Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  5. Dr. John Okonkwo Alutu, Nnewi History (from the Earliest times to 1980/82),Fourth Dimension publishers