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Igwe Josiah Orizu II

Igwe Josiah Orizu II
Reign 1924–1962
Coronation 1924
Predecessor Igwe Orizu I (Eze Ugbonyamba)
Successor Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III
Born 1902
Died 1962
Igwe Palace, Otolo Nnewi
Burial May 25, 1963
Otolo Nnewi
Issue Kenneth Onyeke Orizu
Full name
Josiah Nnaji “Igwe Orizu II”
House House of Nnofo
Father Eze ugbonyamba “Igwe orizu I”
Religion Christianity& Animism
Full name
Josiah Nnaji “Igwe Orizu II”

Igwe Josiah Nnaji Orizu II (1902–1962) was the 19th Obi of Otolo and Igwe of Nnewi kingdom. He took the ofo of Nnewi in 1924 after his father's death. He is a member of the Nnofo Royal lineage and the successor to his father Igwe Orizu I (Eze Ugbonyamba) , He was the first Igwe to officially become a Christian, although the traditional rulers of Nnewi are the ofo holders and as such, preservers and upholders of Nnewi culture and traditions.

He is the brother of Nigeria's first republic senate president and acting president, Prince Nwafor Orizu and the father of Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III his successor.

Igwe Josiah Orizu had strong missionary upbringing as ward to the Late Reverend Ibeneme of Obosi. His early education began at Primary School Arondizuogu. He later went to C.M.S Central School, Nkwo-Nnewi from where he went to Hope Waddell Training institute, Calabar, where he remained until 1924. He was re-called home in 1924 at the death of his father, Igwe Orizu I. He was enthroned that same year the 19th Igwe of Nnewi.

During his reign, Igwe Josiah Orizu II set out with courage to work out a programme of community development.

During his rule, Nnewi witnessed an unprecedented number of development projects,including the establishment of 20 primary schools,two teacher-training colleges,three secondary schools,a post office and a Government general hospital.

He was the first president General of the Eastern Chiefs conference which was founded in his palace at Nnewi in 1952. Igwe Orizu II was elected to the Eastern House of chiefs in 1959 the eve of Nigeria's Independence. In 1960 he became a foundation member of the Eastern house of chiefs.


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