The Obi of Onitsha acts as a cultural head for the Onitsha people. This royal institution embodies the beliefs, traditions and perpetuity of one of the Nigerian easternmost countries.
The aim is to bring people together, respect cultural ethos and ensure progressive changes in the society. Moreover, the king and his family are very active in some cultural affairs including and especially political activities.
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List of Obi of Onitsha
| No | Obi of Onitsha | Reign |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (Eze) Chima | Mid-16th century |
| 2 | Oreze | 16th–17th century |
| 3 | Chimaevi | 17th century |
| 4 | Chimukwu | 17th century |
| 5 | Chimaezi | 17th century |
| 6 | Nafia | 17th century |
| 7 | Tasia | 17th century |
| 8 | Eze Aroli | 17th–18th century |
| 9 | Chimedie | 18th century |
| 10 | Omozele | 18th century |
| 11 | Ezeolisa | 18th century |
| 12 | Ijelekpe | 18th–19th century |
| 13 | Udogwu | c. 1820 |
| 14 | Akazue | 1840–1873 |
| 15 | Diali | 1873–1874 |
| 16 | Anazonwu | 1874–1899 |
| 17 | Samuel Okosi | 1901–1931 |
| 18 | James Okosi | 1935–1961 |
| 19 | Joseph Okwudili Onyejekwe | 1962–1970 |
| 20 | Ofala Okechukwu Okagbue | 1970–2001 |
| 21 | Alfred Achebe | 2002–present |
The First Obi Of Onitsha
It is widely believed that Eze Chima (also known as Obi Eze Chima) is the foremost king of Onitsha, which is a historical city located in the southeastern part of Nigeria.
His reign is also significantly associated with the migration narrative of the people of Onitsha, who are thought to have come from the kingdoms of Benin whose political activities or the rule of the Benin empire pushed them into migration.
Crossing the Niger River, a discontented royal Eze Chima or Obi Eze Chima commanded some troops who founded a place called Onitsha on its eastern bank.
Even in Onitsha, the history of its early development is closely linked to Benin with some elements of the Edo people’s culture, governance, and practices being brought to it from the beginning. However, this kind of expulsion cannot be said to have occurred in one day.
Onitsha-Mmili, which would be known as Onitsha in modern times, became more than a trade center lying along the river Niger after some time as it was able to breed a distinct form of chieftaincy, with Eze Chima’s blood laying the foundation of the royal line.
While Eze Chima is popularly known as the founding father of Onitsha, the impact of his legacy is still felt in the city’s present day politics, particularly as his descendants remain active in the city’s cultural and political circles.
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The Current Obi of Onitsha: Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe
Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe ascended to the Onitsha throne in 2002 and has reigned harmoniously to date. Achebe, as a traditional leader has never shied away from mixing modern leadership with his ethnic rule.
His upbringing, schooling, and informal experiences have given Obi Achebe a balanced outlook in life from a very tender age.
First, He completed his primary and secondary education in Nigeria, and then attended Stanford University, located in California in the USA, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in the year 1963.
He also studied for a Master of Business Administration degree at the prestigious Columbia University based in New York City.
He took part in the first Senior Executive Course that was organized by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies at Kuru, near Jos, in the year 1979.
His reign has been based on advancing the youth, education, cultural heritage. Obi Achebe is a known former senior executive at Shell whether in corporate interests or in philanthropy or national affairs for that matter.
His reign places much importance in cultural preservation as well as the socio-economic development of the people of Onitsha and its environs. The Obi not only has the responsibility of cultural issues but also uniting all the communities in the region.
