28 Dec 2013 10:00 Africa/Lagos
Kingdom of Nnewi in Nigeria Celebrates Golden Jubilee
NNEWI, Nigeria, December 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
One of the longest serving Monarchs in Nigeria
The ancient Kingdom of Nnewi in the Anambra State of Nigeria today
announces the Golden Jubilee of His Royal Highness Igwe Dr. Kenneth
Onyemaeke Nnaji Orizu III. CON. JP. The celebrations will be marked by
two days of celebrations to include a youth carnival and youth night on
27 December.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131228/662456 )
The celebrations which mark His Royal Highnesses' 50th year of accession
to the throne are expected to be attended by thousands of local people
from the ancient Kingdom alongside a number of special guests, to
include the President and Vice President of Ghana and Governors from
some of Nigeria's 36 states. The celebrations will conclude with a
church service on 12 January 2014.
At the age of 88, His Royal Highness Igwe Dr. Kenneth Onyemaeke Nnaji
Orizu III. CON. JP. The Igwe of Nnewi, who ascended to the throne on 25
May 1963, is one of the longest serving Monarchs in Nigeria. He is the
17th ruler in the Nnewi Royal family lineage which ruled the province
long before Britain colonised the West African country in 1900, and
amalgamated different Kingdoms into what later became the country of
Nigeria. Nnewi has retained its status as an ancient Kingdom and is
fully recognised by the country's federal government.
His Royal Highness has been credited with much over his 50 year reign, including:
the abolition of the Osu caste system in the 1970's. Before then,
the local Osu people were treated as outcasts and subjected to servitude
of various forms;
Being the first, in a long line of Nnewi Monarchs, to embrace Christianity;
modernising the legal system of Nnewi by establishing a Palace panel
of Arbitrators for inter personal misunderstandings. To ensure the
highest degree of equity, justice and fair play, he also set up an
Appeal Panel to review appeals from the Arbitration Committee; and
The new Nnewi market which has given the province prominence as one
of the largest commercial cities in Nigeria. It was set up at the
instigation of the Monarch, whose vision for uplifting living standards
in his domain has been highly commended by his peers
The spokesman for the Royal family, Prince Obi Orizu, said the
celebrations were not only aimed at marking the Monarch's 50 years on
the throne, but were also a demonstration of the love and respect the
people of Nnewi feel towards their King.
Prince Obi added: "By the Grace of God, His Royal Highness Igwe Dr.
Kenneth Onyemaeke Nnaji Orizu III. CON. JP. The Igwe of Nnewi, is still
fit and strong at the age of 88. By organising the celebration for their
King, the people of Nnewi want to wish him many more years so that he
can continue his tireless campaign to improve the lives of all his
people. Nnewi wants to demonstrate its gratitude for its Monarch and
everyone will be welcome to share in our happiness."
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
The celebrations will continue on 29 December with a Cultural festival,
followed by mascurades and traditional dances on 30 December. Post
anniversary church services will be held at St Peters Catholic Church,
Nnewichi, Nnewi
8 on 5 January and on 12 January 2014 at St Mary's
Anglican Church, Uruagu, Nnewi.
Below is a list of some of the King's achievements:
CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION:
The King is the first of Nigerian Monarchs to abolish the Osu cast
system, thus making everyone in the province of Nnewi free born.
SOCIAL ADVOCACY:
The King dealt with a political crisis in Nnewi by allowing the town in a
general assembly to choose a title for him to restore peace in the
town. Thereafter, the community named him the GENERAL OF PEACE. His
other title is, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). The King is a
one Star Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.
EDUCATION
The King was instrumental in the establishment of a Teachers Training
College in Nnewi; now Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi. He also
advovated the siting of the College of Health Sciences of the University
by encouraging Nnewi people to make significant financial
contributions. He personally donated most of the land for the
establishment of the school.
BUSINESS
The King facilitated the establishment of New Nnewi market and this
market gave Nnewi prominence as one of the largest commercial cities in
Nigeria.
For further information contact:
Joe Nwankwo - Director of Information and Research, Unit, Igwe Nnewi Palace, Nnewi
Tel: 08033138291 or 08037019672
Victoria Geoghegan / David Bass - Bell Pottinger
Tel: +44-207-861-3925 or +44-7917-551155
For images, please email: vgeoghegan@bell-pottinger.com
See more on
https://www.facebook.com/Nigeriansreport.
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®
247 Nigeria
