Her Excellency, Iyom Bianca Ojukwu, wife of late Biafra Head of State, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu was yesterday conferred with the premier traditional title “Aka Ekpuchi Onwa”, (No Hand Can Cover the Moon) her 10th traditional title in the South East Region, by His Royal Highness, Igwe Kenneth Orizu 111 of Nnewi Ancient Kingdom.
Igwe Nnewi, who is currently the longest-serving monarch in Nigeria was born in 1925 and ascended the throne of his forefathers on June 2, 1963, as the 20th Igwe Nnewi, He is the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader in Nnewi. He is 100 years old.
The kingdom of Nnewi is one of the oldest monarchy in Eastern Nigeria with records tracing the beginning of the Nnewi monarchy to the 15th century well before the arrival of the Europeans. The succession to the throne is patrilineal and based on the rule of primogeniture. Igwe Orizu III ascended to the throne following the death of his father, HRH Josiah Nnaji Igwe Orizu II. All roads led to Nnewi for his 61st Ofala Festival where the grand ceremony took place.
The colorful event with cultural dance troupes, masquerades and musicians was witnessed by several distinguished personalities and crème de la crème of Igboland including governors, senators, businessmen and industrialists. Bianca Ojukwu is a former presidential advisor, Former Nigeria Ambassador to Ghana, Former Nigeria Ambassador to Spain, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations World Tourism Organization and currently Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
