₦airaland Forum

By Izunna Okafor, Awka


Popular Nnewi-born industrialist, philanthropist and business mogul, Chief Dr. Cletus Ibeto has pulled down the palace (Ọzọobi) of the Traditional Ruler of Nnewi, H.R.H. Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III, and begun construction of a brand new palace for the revered monarch ahead of his 100th birthday celebration.

This laudable gesture is also accompanied by another donation of a gigantic royal gate for the palace by Chief Ibeto, to replace the current one.

It was gathered that the two projects will be completed in three months time, while works have already commenced at the site and progressing on a high speed.

This was corroborated by a video from the site, currently trending on social media, showing some rubble from the demolished building, and men working on the new project, with the foundation already, and the pegging ongoing.

When contacted, the Chairman of Nnewi Museum Committee and Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndị Igbo (Nnewi Branch), Prince Afam Orizu, confirmed the development in an interview with this reporter, Izunna Okafor, over the week, describing it as a laudable gesture indeed.

He also confirmed the duration of the projects execution as was pledged by the benefactor, affirming that they are expected to be completed in three months time.

According to him, the sponsor, Chief Ibeto, has taken it upon himself to see that Igwe Orizu celebrates his centenary in a brand new palace.

Giving a brief background, Prince Orizu revealed that the old palace was built many decades ago, which, he said, believably was part of the reason for Chief Ibeto's decision to build a new one, especially as the respected monarch set to mark his 100th birthday and 62nd year on the throne.

According to him, Igwe Orizu will clock 100 years old in few months time, while the actual celebration of the centenary will be on December 28th, alongside his 62nd Ofala/anniversary on the throne as Igwe Nnewi. The grand event, he said, will be a great homecoming for the sons and daughters of Nnewi, whom, he said, would be glad to see some changes and transformations, especially in the look of the palace, which is being facilitated by Chief Ibeto.

Prince Orizu further disclosed that this would not be the first time Chief Ibeto is bringing transformation in the palace, recalling that it was also he (Chief Ibeto) who built the amphitheatre within the palace, about seven years ago, among patriotic gestures he has shown.

He further noted that the Igwe Orizu has already rained his royal blessings on him, while also praying for him to also live long and healthy.

Igwe Orizu III, who was born in 1925 and ascended the throne of his forefathers on June 2, 1963 as the 20th Igwe Nnewi, is currently the longest-serving monarch in Nigeria. He is the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader in Nnewi.

The kingdom of Nnewi is one of the oldest monarchy in Eastern Nigeria with records tracing the beginning of the Nnewi monarchy to the 15th century well before the arrival of the Europeans. The succession to the throne is patrilineal and based on the rule of primogeniture. Igwe Orizu III ascended to the throne following the death of his father, HRH Josiah Nnaji Igwe Orizu II.

IzunnaOkafor:
By Izunna Okafor, Awka


Popular Nnewi-born industrialist, philanthropist and business mogul, Chief Dr. Cletus Ibeto has pulled down the palace (Ọzọobi) of the Traditional Ruler of Nnewi, H.R.H. Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III, and begun construction of a brand new palace for the revered monarch ahead of his 100th birthday celebration.

This laudable gesture is also accompanied by another donation of a gigantic royal gate for the palace by Chief Ibeto, to replace the current one.

It was gathered that the two projects will be completed in three months time, while works have already commenced at the site and progressing on a high speed.




This was corroborated by a video from the site, currently trending on social media, showing some rubble from the demolished building, and men working on the new project, with the foundation already, and the pegging ongoing.

When contacted, the Chairman of Nnewi Museum Committee and Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndị Igbo (Nnewi Branch), Prince Afam Orizu, confirmed the development in an interview with this reporter, Izunna Okafor, over the week, describing it as a laudable gesture indeed.

He also confirmed the duration of the projects execution as was pledged by the benefactor, affirming that they are expected to be completed in three months time.

According to him, the sponsor, Chief Ibeto, has taken it upon himself to see that Igwe Orizu celebrates his centenary in a brand new palace.

Giving a brief background, Prince Orizu revealed that the old palace was built many decades ago, which, he said, believably was part of the reason for Chief Ibeto's decision to build a new one, especially as the respected monarch set to mark his 100th birthday and 62nd year on the throne.

According to him, Igwe Orizu will clock 100 years old in few months time, while the actual celebration of the centenary will be on December 28th, alongside his 62nd Ofala/anniversary on the throne as Igwe Nnewi. The grand event, he said, will be a great homecoming for the sons and daughters of Nnewi, whom, he said, would be glad to see some changes and transformations, especially in the look of the palace, which is being facilitated by Chief Ibeto.

Prince Orizu further disclosed that this would not be the first time Chief Ibeto is bringing transformation in the palace, recalling that it was also he (Chief Ibeto) who built the amphitheatre within the palace, about seven years ago, among patriotic gestures he has shown.

He further noted that the Igwe Orizu has already rained his royal blessings on him, while also praying for him to also live long and healthy.

Igwe Orizu III, who was born in 1925 and ascended the throne of his forefathers on June 2, 1963 as the 20th Igwe Nnewi, is currently the longest-serving monarch in Nigeria. He is the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader in Nnewi.

The kingdom of Nnewi is one of the oldest monarchy in Eastern Nigeria with records tracing the beginning of the Nnewi monarchy to the 15th century well before the arrival of the Europeans. The succession to the throne is patrilineal and based on the rule of primogeniture. Igwe Orizu III ascended to the throne following the death of his father, HRH Josiah Nnaji Igwe Orizu II.

Watch the video below via the link below:

https://onyokomita.com/ibeto-knocks-down-igwe-orizu-palace-in-nnewi-set-to-build-new-one-in-3-months-ahead-of/

KosiGee:
What kind of palace is Chief Ibeto going to build in 3 months?
Is the palace going to be built with Lego blocks or prefab units?

Chimookigwe:
Although decking takes 21 days to cure properly, I have seen banks built within 5 weeks. From the scratch. So, it depends on the type of structure they want to conjure as a palace.

Zenith Bank in Festac near 1st gate was built within a month and half. Work was ongoing day and night. They used floodlights to illuminate the site at night.

OlujobaSamuel:
Some parts were probably prefab units.
Nice one, however I think since it's a palace, it's owned by the community, the king should permit people to donate, even if na #1000, not really cool for 1person to build such before e go wake up for wrong side of the bed tomorrow and dey yarn dust sey e single handedly built palace for the community
All the same, noble gesture from him

Chimookigwe:
It's show-off. For the record of "I built the palace the king of my village occupies".
In that same Nnewi, a lady was feeding hungry people on the street and they lined up to collect jollof rice

Well, they only do this for poor kings.

The normal thing is to have the traditional palace. No matter how old it is, they only renovate, they don't pull it down. That is what stands as a cultural heritage to show the history of that community.

Then, in addition to the traditional palace, the king builds his own personal house, usually a mansion in the choiciest part of the community.

Well, na money yab man.

BlackfireX:
If this news pain you ...


See what you will do...


Go to your village( if you still know it)


Pull down your village king Palace and build another befitting one.


I come in peace

Shukraan

Villagesquare:
Nnewi doesn't joke with their monarch he is the most revered monarch in Anambra

Softmirror:
Only those who do not have a befitting palace demolish exiting ones to build a befitting one inorder to catch up.

Eboofa:
oldest monarchy indeed but certainly another British appointed warrant chief! Let us stop building castles in the air...........Ndigbo had zero monarchy b4 the British came!

Bendeco02:
What did you just say?

You guys will just come online to yarn carelessly

When we talk of respected or most regarded Monarch in the East not only Anambra, that's Obi of Onitsha.

Monarch is not Nnewi thing. You can just talk of business/trade. For traditon, leave it for Anambra North and Awka

kaltonga:
Once again, most of you here are just talking like kids, who is the Obi of Onitsha when Igwe Orizu is talking, my dear am not from Anambara but I can tell you that we IGBOS recognize Igwe NRI, Igwe Nwafir Orizu, Igwe EZE uzor Awaka then that Obi you call.
Obi of Onitsha is an arrangement of Zik and the Nigerian government but the Ogbo traditional settings this are the monarchs, you can argue with your village people oo

KosiGee:
What kind of palace is Chief Ibeto going to build in 3 months?
Is the palace going to be built with Lego blocks or prefab units?

SadiqBabaSani:
Good one, kudos to the Chief,

No hate is allowed on this thread

KosiGee:
What kind of palace is Chief Ibeto going to build in 3 months?
Is the palace going to be built with Lego blocks or prefab units?

IzunnaOkafor:
https://onyokomita.com/ibeto-knocks-down-igwe-orizu-palace-in-nnewi-set-to-build-new-one-in-3-months-ahead-of/