HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS EZE EMMANUEL JOSHUA ANACHOR ORIJI

Nnenwe-eli Emohua XI, Ochi Ohna Ikwerre I (1963 - 1967)

Born September 5, 1921, Eze Emmanuel Oriji was a distinguished traditional ruler, lawyer, and administrator who served as the founding father and first Chairman of Ogbakor Ikwerre from 1962 to 1973. Academically, he obtained his Standard Six Certificate (1938), Higher Elementary Certificate (1944), Senior Teachers Certificate in English and History from Baptist College Iwo (1950), and Intermediate Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of London (1955).

Traditionally, he held the titles of Nnenwe-eli Emohua XI and was decorated as Ochi Ohna I Ikwerre in 1993. He served as President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre for 11 years (1962-1973), during which he laid the foundation for the organization's growth and development.

His contributions to Ogbakor Ikwerre and the Ikwerre nation were monumental. As a member of the Eastern Region House of Assembly (1960-1966), he famously defeated the 1964 motion to rename Port Harcourt to "Zik City." In 1966, he boldly told Col. Ojukwu that the Ikwerre people would not be part of the Republic of Biafra. As Pioneer Commissioner of Education for Rivers State (1969-1971), he established the Rivers State University of Education and provided scholarships to numerous Ikwerre indigenes for higher studies. During his tenure as Chairman of Ikwerre/Etche County Council, he moved the headquarters from Choba to Isiokpo, built the first modern secretariat (now Ikwerre LGA headquarters), and established the famous County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche. His leadership brought dignity, respect, and development to Ikwerre land.