Nnewi, Anambra State — The traditional ruler of Nnewi Kingdom in Anambra State, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Kenneth Onyemaeke Orizu III, has celebrated his 101st birthday, marking the milestone with a traditional kola-nut ceremony at the royal palace on Friday, October 30, 2026.
The revered monarch, born on October 30, 1925, reached the remarkable age of 101.
Members of the royal family, traditional leaders, government officials and other dignitaries joined the Nnewi community to celebrate his life and enduring reign.
A video footage from the celebration shows the monarch breaking kola nut.
Breaking kola nut is an important cultural ritual in Igbo tradition that symbolises hospitality, respect, unity and the blessing of gatherings.
The birthday celebration also marks more than six decades of his leadership of Nnewi Kingdom, one of the prominent traditional institutions in Anambra State.
Monarch marks over 63 years on Nnewi throne
Igwe Orizu III ascended the Nnewi throne in 1963, following the death of his father, Igwe Josiah Nnaji Orizu II.
His reign has now spanned more than six decades, covering significant political, economic, social and cultural changes in Nigeria.
The monarch is recognised as the 20th Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi, occupying a traditional institution with deep historical roots in Igbo society.
Distinguished guests honour the monarch
The birthday celebration forms part of a two-day programme that began on Thursday, October 29, at Nnewi.
First part was the inaugural Igwe Orizu III International Lecture on African Traditional Leadership, Culture and Development.
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, represented President Bola Tinubu at the lecture.
The lecture attracted prominent personalities, including:
- former Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General Chief Nnia Nwodo,
- Senator John Azuta-Mbata,
- former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor Professor Kingsley Moghalu, and,
- former Anambra Governor Dame Virgy Etiaba.
The programme also featured discussions on traditional leadership, cultural preservation, peacebuilding and community development.
Documentary celebrates Igwe Orizu’s legacy
Another major highlight of the birthday programme is the premiere of a documentary titled Igwe Orizu III: The Centenary Monarch.
Produced and directed by Nigerian filmmaker Michael Chineme Ike through Micstreams Production Ltd, the documentary chronicles the monarch’s life, leadership, reign and contributions to Nnewi.
Plans are also being advanced for an Igwe Orizu III Digital Archive.
This will preserve photographs, historical records, videos and oral histories relating to the monarch and Nnewi’s cultural heritage.
A historic milestone for Nnewi
At 101, Igwe Orizu III represents a remarkable chapter in the history of Nnewi’s traditional institution.
His birthday provides an opportunity for the people of Nnewi and the wider Igbo community to celebrate the monarch’s longevity.
They will also reflect on his decades of leadership and preserve the history of a reign that has witnessed generations of change.
The celebration is not only a personal milestone for the monarch but also a significant cultural occasion for Nnewi Kingdom and Anambra State.
