Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III, the 20th Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi Kingdom, is an embodiment of grace and dignity.

At 100 years this year, born 30 October 1925, he cuts the picture of a septuagenarian as he is still strong with all sensory organs intact, reading , writing and interacting with people .

As Igwe Nnewi, he is the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader of Nnewi town, dubbed the Japan of Africa in Anambra state.

Igwe Orizu is of the Nnofo Royal lineage who succeeded his late father, Igwe Josiah Orizu II, while his grandfather was the Igwe Orizu I, and great-grandfather Igwe Iwuchukwu Ezeifekaibeya.

He was crowned Igwe of Nnewi on 2nd June 1963 and his reign has brought tremendous progress and development to the people of Nnewi.

He has made history as the longest serving monarch in Anambra state and arguably one of the longest-serving kings in the world.

In an interview last year when he clocked 99, Igwe Orizu spoke about the circumstances of his birth and how God has guided his destiny in life.

He said: “My mother died early, just about a week after my birth. They married many in the family, and normally, in such a situation, there were always quarrels and jealousy. Those who came before her asked why my father married her, especially from a far place called Umuchu.

“When she came in, she bore a male child, so they hated and worked against her. They killed her a week after my birth.

“My father did not want to take chances, so he called those women to breastfed me, but breast milk was not forthcoming. So, he went to John Holt and bought a carton of milk.

“They mixed the milk with coconut water and used it to feed me, and it was good for my system. That was how I was fed until I started eating solid food. God was with me and sustained my life.”

The Nnewi monarch has made various significant impacts in the life of his people which history can never forget or erase.

He was instrumental in the clearing of the Agbo Edo forest. His Uncle, Prince Nwafor Orizu was Nigeria’s first Republic Senate President and his grandfather, Igwe Orizu I (Eze Ugbonyamba) was the first Igbo man to own and drive a car in the entire Eastern Region.

He is credited to be the first of Nigerian kings to abolish the Osu caste system, thus making everyone in the province of Nnewi free born. He also discouraged wastage of resources at traditional marriage and funeral ceremonies.

The king dealt with a political crisis in Nnewi by allowing the town in a general assembly to choose a title for him to restore peace in the town. Thereafter, the community named him the GENERAL OF PEACE.

He has been honoured by the Federal Government of Nigeria as Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

The monarch was instrumental in the establishment of a Teachers Training College in Nnewi; now Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi. He also advocated the siting of the College of Health Sciences of the University by encouraging Nnewi people to make significant financial contributions. He personally donated most of the land for the establishment of the school.

He facilitated the establishment of New Nnewi market and this market gave Nnewi prominence as one of the largest commercial cities in Nigeria.

The Crown Prince of Nnewi kingdom and first son of Igwe Orizu, Prince Charles Obi, in a telephone chat with the reporter, stated that it is actually a difficult task to talk about one’s biological father who has made and continues to make profound impact not only on the life of his children but on humanity at large.

He said: “Igwe Orizu is one man that I’ve never seen anybody who said that he has offended him, not even one day in my life. Since my childhood till now, I’ve not seen. This is a man that instead of you having issue with him most especially if it concerns material things or money, he won’t hesitate to tell you to take the whole so that peace can reign.

“He is a peacemaker per excellence, a man of peace to the core, that’s why the entire Nnewi community crowned him the General of Peace. I remember as a child growing up, the way and manner he would talk to you will totally disarm you that you won’t have any option than to tell him the whole truth in any situation without reservation”.

“He is so passionate about the development and progress of Nnewi and its people. A goal-getter to the core. He can go to any length and anywhere noble to see to Nnewi’s development. He ensures that whatever is due for Nnewi people gets to them without cutting corners or seeking personal gains.”

“When he pleaded with Nnewi people to imbibe the think-home philosophy and develop and industrialize the community, he took the front row to the extent that he mediated and negotiated for any aspiring industrialist who had issues with land acquisition. He will follow such person to discuss with the parties involved and won’t relent until results were achieved and the person will continue with his industrialization project to completion.”

Prince Orizu also praised his father’s sacrificial spirit, confirming that when he facilitated the establishment of a Teacher’s Training College in Nnewi in the early 70s which later metamorphosed into the present day College of Health Sciences of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), he personally forfeited 60 per cent of his land while other community members provided the remaining 40 per cent.

When asked what the secret to Igwe Orizu’s longevity is, he attributed it to his peaceful disposition to all issues of life and eventually, the grace of God.

As the Igwe prepares for the celebration of his 100 years birthday and 62 years on the throne as Igwe of Nnewi, people of the community and beyond are excited and upbeat that the twin ceremony will not only be a success but also usher in another flurry of good tidings to the king and the people.

An indigene of Odida Nnewichi, Chinedu Nwosu who spoke to the reporter said that recounting on the journey so far, Igwe Kenneth Orizu has obviously led Nnewi to greater heights, economically and otherwise.

“He was the one who gathered nd? Nnewi together after the Nigerian Civil War to start investing in Nnewi. Before then, Nnewi was just a village with nothing going on apart from subsistent farming. Ndi Nnewi had to work together to build markets that have produced thousands of billionaires and millionaires today. Nd? Nnewi also had to start building industries in Nnewi.

“He led the commercialization and industrialization of Nnewi. He is indeed an outstanding traditional ruler, with track records of substantial and sustainable achievements. He is a quintessential leader and we can’t wait to celebrate his 100th birthday and 62nd anniversary on the throne,” Nwosu stated. (The Sun)