Meet the King whose reign is as old as the Republic of Nigeria
By Orji, Somtoochukwu
Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III is the King and traditional ruler of Nnewi. He has been the king of this town even before Nigeria became a republic. The Igwe was coronated on June 2, 1963.
His Royal Majesty Igwe Kenneth was born in 1925 to the late Igwe Josiah Orizu of the Nnewi kingdom. The father died in 1962 and Igwe Kenneth became the king following the successful tradition of the land in 1963. The Igwe is the 20th Obi of Otolo as well as the longest-serving monarch in Igbo land.
He lost his mother a week after he was born and had to be fed with John Holton milk mixed with coconut water. He had his early education in Nnewi before he went to live with his uncle in Calabar. When he couldn’t continue his education there, he went back to Nnewi.
Later on, he went to Kano where his uncle resided. There he got a job to type and shorthand. Being a fast learner and efficient worker, he became adept in typing in just a short while. He would type 50 words in one hour.
He got another job to work as an assistant produce clerk in a Syrian firm. There, he upheld virtue and was just unlike the worker who held the position before him. He gave the best to his job and was promoted. The company applauded his industriousness and gave him a testimonial when he wanted to leave for the east. His father was sick and he needed to see him.
The testimonial proved useful when he needed a job on his return. He got a job and worked until his father breathed his last.
Igwe Kenneth worked with a newspaper company and so, introduced newspapers to his people. He was a fierce and strategic marketer.
The Igwe has helped to bring so many establishments to his community. He holds the title of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
