Ojiako Ezenne
Encyclopedia
His Royal Highness, Ogbuefi Ojiako Ezenne (1857–1944) was a Nigeria
n who was appointed by the Colonial government to serve as Warrant Chief (1914–1921) and then Paramount Chief
(1921–1944), of Adazi-Nnukwu, currently in Anambra State
in Nigeria. As the new protectorate government, did not in all cases impose a new royal family on native populations, but recognised the ancient ruling families based on Ofo seniority across villages, Ojiako Ezenne as the holder of the Ofo Ozo Okpalaekili, the oldest Ozo
title in Adazi-Nnukwu, became the first African to serve as President of the Agulu Customary Court in 1914, having already served as clan chief between 1907 and 1914 of Amolu Clan, the senior clan in Adazi-Nnukwu. Ojiako Ezenne was a contemporary of Warrant Chiefs such as Muoyekwu Onyiuke of Nimo, Amobi of Ogidi and Nnama
Orjiakor of Nibo
. Identified by the Colonial Distinct Office, as serving with an excellent record, Ojiako Ezenne on February 1, 1915, chaired the meeting of forty-five Warrant Chiefs in South-East Nigeria that enacted laws terminating the practice of slavery
in South-East Nigeria, thus pitting him in direct confrontation with the Aro
slave dealers.
Ojiako Ezenne had more than 37 wives and was survived by 86 children. Among his children were Okamigbo Ojiako who served as Nigeria’s first Ambassador to Germany in addition to serving as the second Igwe
of Adazi-Nnukwu. Another son, Obudume Ojiako ', served as the third Igwe (Adama) of Adazi-Nnukwu. A sister, Mbafo Ezenne, was married to the late Amanyanabo Owokori VII of Abonnema
. He was also a brother-in-law to the Aro politician Igwegbe Odum.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n who was appointed by the Colonial government to serve as Warrant Chief (1914–1921) and then Paramount Chief
Paramount chief
A paramount chief is the highest-level traditional chief or political leader in a regional or local polity or country typically administered politically with a chief-based system. This definition is used occasionally in anthropological and archaeological theory to refer to the rulers of multiple...
(1921–1944), of Adazi-Nnukwu, currently in Anambra State
Anambra State
Anambra is a state in south-eastern Nigeria. Its name is an anglicized version of the original 'Oma Mbala', the native name of the Anambra River. The Capital and the Seat of Government is Awka. Onitsha and Nnewi are the biggest commercial and industrial cities, respectively. The state's theme is...
in Nigeria. As the new protectorate government, did not in all cases impose a new royal family on native populations, but recognised the ancient ruling families based on Ofo seniority across villages, Ojiako Ezenne as the holder of the Ofo Ozo Okpalaekili, the oldest Ozo
Ichi (scarification)
Ichi was facial ritual scarification worn by mainly men of the Igbo people of Nigeria. The scarification which indicated that the wearing had passed through initial initiation into the highest society Nze na Ozo., thus marking the wearer as nobility. The scarification was found among men in the...
title in Adazi-Nnukwu, became the first African to serve as President of the Agulu Customary Court in 1914, having already served as clan chief between 1907 and 1914 of Amolu Clan, the senior clan in Adazi-Nnukwu. Ojiako Ezenne was a contemporary of Warrant Chiefs such as Muoyekwu Onyiuke of Nimo, Amobi of Ogidi and Nnama
Nnama
Nnama is the name of an Igbo Royal family from Nibo, Awka LGA, in Anambra State, Nigeria.Other variations include Nnama-Orjiakor. They are part of the Umu-eleh clan in Umuenechi, Umuanum, Nibo...
Orjiakor of Nibo
Nibo
Nibo is a town in Awka South, Anambra State, Nigeria.There are four major villages that make up the town, they are in order of seniority; Ezeawulu, Umuanum, Ifite and Ezeoye. Nibo is a community of cooperative men and women that work jointly for the development of the town.-Traditional...
. Identified by the Colonial Distinct Office, as serving with an excellent record, Ojiako Ezenne on February 1, 1915, chaired the meeting of forty-five Warrant Chiefs in South-East Nigeria that enacted laws terminating the practice of slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
in South-East Nigeria, thus pitting him in direct confrontation with the Aro
Aro people
The Aro people or Aros is an Igbo subgroup with Akpa and Ibibio elements who originated from Arochukwu kingdom in present day Abia state, Southeastern Nigeria. The Aros can also be found in about 250 other settlements mostly in the Southeastern region and adjacent areas...
slave dealers.
Ojiako Ezenne had more than 37 wives and was survived by 86 children. Among his children were Okamigbo Ojiako who served as Nigeria’s first Ambassador to Germany in addition to serving as the second Igwe
Eze
Eze is an Igbo word which means King; with further implied meaning of chieftain of the tribe or kingdom. Such words as Igwe and Obi plus others are used by Igbo people as titles of respect and homage to the Eze...
of Adazi-Nnukwu. Another son, Obudume Ojiako ', served as the third Igwe (Adama) of Adazi-Nnukwu. A sister, Mbafo Ezenne, was married to the late Amanyanabo Owokori VII of Abonnema
Abonnema
Abonnema is a was founded in 1882. It was discovered by an expedition of a host of chiefs from the Kalabari town . These include Chief Young Briggs in Nigeria...
. He was also a brother-in-law to the Aro politician Igwegbe Odum.