Ancestry
NNEWI HISTORIES: TALKING ABOUT EZE UGBONYAMBA
Nnewi is the second-largest city in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, encompassing two local government areas: Nnewi North and Nnewi South. Nnewi North, also known as Nnewi Central, the kingdom was founded on four quarters (large villages): Otolo (the eldest), Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi (the youngest), each divided into family units called Umunna with a first family known as the ‘Obi’. Nnewi existed as an independent kingdom from the 15th century until 1904, when British colonial administration occupied it.
Eze ụgbọnyamba, the first Igwe Orizu is a significant figure in Nnewi history. Eze ụgbọnyamba, also known as King Ugboonyamba, was a prominent king of Nnewi in the 19th century. He is remembered for his remarkable achievements, including; Unifying the various villages of Nnewi under one rule, establishing a strong and organized kingdom, encouraging trade and commerce, which led to Nnewi’s prosperity, being a wise and just ruler, loved by his people.
Eze ụgbọnyamba’s reign is often referred to as the “Golden Age” of Nnewi. His legacy continues to inspire and influence Nnewi’s culture and traditions to this day. Eze ụgbọnyamba was the first Igbo man to own drive a car in the entire Igbo land, the car was brought for him from Lagos, the European Provincial officer at Onitsha was invited to see the vehicle and share with the chief in his joy. He was the 18th Obi of Otolo and the Igwe of Nnewi kingdom. Eze Ugbonyamba was crowned the King in 1904, and he died 1924.
The birth of Late Igwe Orizu I in 1881 to the 14th king of Nnewi, His Royal Highness Iwuchukwu Ezeifekaibeya I was regarded as a good omen.
Infantile mortality rate as at that time was very high, more so as persistent internecine wars were the order of the day. It became difficult for many families to hold a balance which is very vital for healthcare delivery system and upbringing of their children.
There was no modern medicine of any type during that time in Nnewi. Hiding Children away from invading forces could expose them to greater dangers.
Besides, the society had to contend with the ills of slave trade then very prevalent in Igboland. Thus despite all the prevailing ugly human tragedy, Igwe Orizu was nurtured to adolescence.
With the clear knowledge that he was the eldest son of His Royal Highness Iwuchukwu I, he set out in time to demonstrate high leadership traits. He left his father’s palace to erect his own family home at Okpuno Otolo, at the point near the shrine of Ogwugwu Ezekwuabo and close to the Umueze Okonkwo estate and the birthplace of his father’s mother.
Farming, erecting walls around a compound and marrying many women were three major criteria of greatness and wealth in Igboland. He accomplished all these under the age of 23
Orizu 1 started his reign around 1905. No one dared to see him with their naked eye. He moved mostly at night if he was travelling to far places, for instance, when going to court in Onitsha because that was the only place the court was then. They were four monarchs that attended Onitsha court in those days – he, Obi of Onitsha, Amobi in Ogidi, and Idigo in Aguleri. There were very few monarchs then.
There were no vehicles then so he went to Onitsha by a shoulder carriage (palanquin) carried by 16 able-bodied men. Four men would start and when they got tired, another four would take over and they would continue to take turns until they got to Onitsha after some days. Once they got to Onitsha, they would carry him to a guest house and he would rest to attend court the next day by 9am. After the court proceedings, he would return to his guest house again and rest till 8pm when he would begin the journey back to Nnewi.
Nnewi monarchs never travelled during the day in those days to avoid being seen by ordinary people. It was taboo to see Igwe Nnewi with the naked eye in those days; seeing him with the naked eye attracted sanctions. He went on night journeys with his retinue of bodyguards who rang the bell to warn people to steer clear because Igwe Nnewi was on the road.
Nobody would dare come out otherwise they would be conscripted and sold as slaves or made to become one of the wives of the monarch if she was beautiful.
At a point, going to court in Onitsha became tiresome such that his subjects bought a motorcycle for him. However, he didn’t use it for a long time because of the inherent danger it exposed the Igwe to. So, they considered buying a car for him. That was how money was raised and given to some persons that went to Lagos and bought a Ford car for him.
When the news of the new car spread, the white Resident Officer in Onitsha visited Igwe Orizu I in Nnewi. The white man observed that the car had no number plate and license to enable the monarch to drive it without being disturbed on the way.
He promised to help Igwe get his vehicle registered by establishing a licensing office in Onitsha. That was how a licensing office was established in Onitsha and Igwe Orizu I was issued a number plate that read: Onitsha 1.
Eze Ugbonyamba married about a hundred wives among whom were Uzoagbala the mother of Josiah, Ejeagwu, Mgbugo, Uzumma, Nwabudu, Afuekwe, Esomeju, Amini, Anyaku, Oyilidiya, olieukwu, Onyeanu, Odife, Oliemma, Akuzulumba, Ogbeanu, Ojinukanu, and Alozo. He was the father of Nigeria’s second senate president and acting president, Prince Nwafor Orizu and the Grandfather of Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III, the current Igwe of Nnewi.
