ANIOMA WATCH PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK
July 26, 2024

Famous for the Promotion of Anioma Culture: A Biography of Obi Engr Nduka, the Obi of Issele-Uku

By Emeka Esogbue

Obi Engr Nduka or Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna II (formerly Nduka Ezeagwuna II as he was known before becoming the Obi of Issele-Uku), is the Obi of Issele-Uku Kingdom, an Anioma community and headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

He was born of the Nigerian royalty, (Issele-Uku House of Ezeagwuna) to Obi Henry Ezeagwuna I on January 26, 1992 in his Issele-Uku hometown. His other siblings are listed as Princes Emeke, Osajindu, Okechukwu, Nkemakonam and Nkemdilim (see The History of Great Isi-Ile-Uku(Issele-Uku Kingdom) by Prince Chris Afumata Akeh-Osu, Yembos Business Ventures, p.46)

He attended Greater Tomorrow School in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria for his primary and secondary schools. His educational advancement at the University of Ibadan saw his successful certification of A-Level. He later graduated from the same institution as a Chemical Engineer.

Obi Engr Nduka was crowned as the Obi of Issele-Uku on December 29, 2016. Before his coronation, HRH Crown Prince Oko Nduka Ezeagwuna as he was known then, visited Oba Ewuare II in Benin for his royal introduction on Tuesday December, 2016, where he spent some time, a practice customary to Issele-Uku-Benin relationship. Following the traditional introduction, there were Issele-Uku delegates who visited the Oba's Palace to escort the Prince back to his Issele-Uku homestead.

His father and predecessor, Obi Ezeagwuna I, was born in Benin to Obi Osemene III and enthroned as the Obi of Issele-Uku in 1996. He was preparing his activities to mark his 60th birthday before tragically joining his ancestors in an auto crash.

The preliminary rites of sitting young Obi Engr Nduka, son of Obi Henry Ezeagwuna 1, on the throne were performed by retd Justice Azomani, the Onishe of the community before he was crowned.

According to Sylvester Ugwuanyi, a Journalist, Obi Engr Nduka holds the Delta State record as the second youngest monarch to be crowned after His Royal Majesty, Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi 1, the Dein of Agbor who was crowned in 1979 at the age of two years and four months.

Obi Engr Nduka, often described as bold, brave, lover and mover of his people's culture and traditions, has constantly maintained the Benin roots of his Issele-Uku community. He believes that the Issele-Uku people are descendants of the Benin Kingdom and they hold the affinity strongly.

A believer in Anioma common identity, he is one of the Anioma traditional rulers whose voice has been bravely heard regarding the proposed Anioma State. The Issele-Uku monarch has advised that Anioma State, if created should be situated in the nation's South-South Region.

Asked to know the cultural richness of Issele-Uku and his particular royal plans for the community upon coronation, Obi Engr Nduka responded to the Punch Newspaper thus:

"In terms of goal, Issele–Uku is very rich in culture and tradition some of which have been eroded. So, my short term goal is to revive a society which we call the “Omu” society, a peaceful united society. My long term goal is to see that our rich culture and traditions are preserved. I want to create an awareness on the need to revive and sustain our rich traditions for the world to see."

On the night of September 2021, PEN MASTER was with Obi Engr Nduka and other Issele-Uku royal family members in the kingdom's Ugeh in the company of Chief Michael Onyekali Odiakosa, the Osigie of Issele-Uku during the Inor Nzu period. The Obi was brilliantly seen promoting the people's culture.

Outside the promotion of culture, Issele-Uku is notable for the smooth and peaceful transition of its internal political system often without successive strifes being a hereditary system. That glorious foundation, well structured and organized has springboarded Obi Engr Nduka and past monarchs of the kingdom to progress.

Obi Engr Nduka, the Obi of Issele-Uku is one Anioma monarch who has stayed in the forefront of the preservation and promotion of Anioma culture and is enjoying it. It was in his reign that Omuship of the community was restored. Succinctly, the people of Issele-Uku are happy with their Obi whose reign, the community is witnessing socio-cultural growth and development.

Within a short while of his coronation, His Majesty has also become one of the most popular living Anioma monarchs and a voice to reckon with, building bridges between Issele-Uku and other communities, a feat he and his Issele-Uku community currently relishes. He is married to Queen Chukwudumebi. For his promotion of the Issele-Uku culture and Anioma by extension, Obi Engr Nduka is recognized today as the "Anioma Personality of the Week," the fifth in the series after HRM Obi Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor, JP, the Obi of Owa.

Which one is Obi Engr? Royal fathers should stop this ridiculous practice of using the royal designation side by side with professional titles. A king is on a whole other level. Which one is "Igwe Professor", "Obi Pharm" "Oba Dr". How e dey sound for una ear?