Today Nnewi Town is on the world map as her Traditional Ruler Igwe Dr. K.O.N Orizu III JP CON succeeds the Queen of England; Queen Elizabeth II as the longest reigning Monarch in the world following the glorious exit of Queen Elizabeth II as the longest reigning Monarch in the world.
Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III JP, CON, was born 30 October 1925 is the 20th Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi kingdom (in Anambra traditional rulers’ act, Obi and Igwe can be used interchangeably) He is the traditional supreme ruler and spiritual leader in Nnewi, an Igbo city in Anambra State, Nigeria, West Africa.
He is from the Nnofo Royal Family lineage and the successor to his father Igwe Josiah Orizu II, his grandfather Igwe Orizu I, and great-grandfather Igwe Iwuchukwu Ezeifekaibeya and it continues to the man called Nnewi and his father Ikenga. Unlike most Igbo monarchies, there were kings of Nnewi before the arrival of Europeans.
More interestingly Igwe Dr. K.O.N Orizu III shared so much in common with the Great Queen Elizabeth II who just joined the saints in great beyond. If she were to be a typical Igbo or African Monarch it will be said she joined her ancestors.
1. While the Queen reigned over four Kingdoms, Igwe Nnewi reigns over four Quarters namely Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewichi
2. While The Queen was born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926. Igwe Nnewi was born in October 1925; barely five months older.
3. While Queen Elizabeth II was coronated in 1953, Igwe Nnewi was coronated in 1963.
4. While Queen Elizabeth II has reigned for seventy years, Igwe Dr. K O.N Orizu III has reigned for sixty years. The world has no record of any serving monarch older than Queen Elizabeth II and Igwe Nnewi.
5. While Queen Elizabeth II will now be succeed by Prince Charles as King of England, Igwe Nnewi’s heir apparent is also Prince Charles.
While the world mourn Queen Elizabeth II as she exceeds the stage at 96 years, the attention of the world must be drown to Nnewi and all camera on His Royal Highness Igwe Dr K.O.N Orizu III JP CON as he takes his place as the longest reigning monarch in the world.