Eze Ukwu

Eze Ukwu
Obi of Otolo
Reign	1840–1862
Coronation	1840
Predecessor	Eze Chukwu
Successor	Igwe Okafo
Born	August 1799 Nnewi
Died	15 August 1862 (aged 63) Igwe palace Nnewi
Full name Eze Ukwu
House	House of Nnofo
Father	Eze Chukwu
Religion	Animism

Eze Ukwu (born 1799-1862) was the 15th Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi kingdom.^[1] He was the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader in Nnewi, an Igbo city in Nigeria. He was a member of the Nnofo Royal lineage and the successor to his father Eze Chukwu.^[2] Unlike most Igbo monarchies, there were kings of Nnewi before the arrival of Europeans.^[3]

Reign

During his reign,important events took place. He declined to accept the advice of his uncle, Eze Enwe, to bring to consummation a war fought half-way against the Amichis. Eze Enwe therefore took up the job.^[4] He invaded the Amichis and conquered them, crowning this achievement with the capture and execution of Nwamkpi, their leader. he successfully waged another war against Ųkpo and participated in the successful invasion of Orifite.^[5] These astounding succesess qualified him for the heroic title of "Onuo ora", which entitled one to the possession of Ikponasato, that is, (eight very small bells).

Besides okafo, the first son of Eze Ukwu, he had also the following sons - Eze Oruchalu and Unaegbu. When Eze ukwu died, Igwe Okafo, his eldest son, became the sixteenth chief.

References

1. Admin, Nnewi. "List of Nnewi Monarchs - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
2. Onwutalobi, Anthony-Claret. "Nnofo Royal Lineage - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
3. Onwutalobi, Anthony-Claret. "Nnewi Monarchy - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
4. Onwutalobi, Anthony-Claret. "History - The Official Nnewi City Portal". www.nnewi.info. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
5. Alutu, Dr. John Okonkwo (1986). Nnewi History (from the Earliest times to 1980/82)29. Nigeria: Fourth Dimension Publishers. p. 29. ISBN 9781562242.