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 Mmaku1477 1529 1498–1529
2ndEze Ikenga1503 1577 1529–1577
3rdEze Nnewi1530 1607 1577–1607
4thEze Okpala1560 1629 1607–1608
5thEze Digbo1563 1635 1608–1631
6thEze Otolo1566 1639 1631–1639
7thEze Enem1598 1675 1639–1651
8thEze Nnofo1600 1685 1651–1685
9thEze Udude1625 1710 1685–1710
10thEze Agha (Onuo Ora)1650 1745 1710–1745
11thEze Agha Jnr1685 1763 1745–1747
12thEze Nnwa1701 1791 1747–1791
13thEze Oguine1740 1831 1791–1831
14thEze Chukwu176918401831–1840
15thEze Ukwu179918621840–1862
16thIgwe Okafo183018911862–1891
17thEze ifekaibeya Igwe Iwuchukwu185519041891–1904
18thEze Ugbonyamba, Igwe Orizu I188119241904–1924
19thChief Josiah Nnaji, Igwe Orizu II190119631924–1962
20thChief Kenneth Onyeneke, Igwe Orizu III1925living1963-

[5]

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.
  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
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