Nnama

Nnama is the name of an Igbo Royal family from Nibo, Awka LGA, in Anambra State, Nigeria. Other variations include Nnama-Orjiakor. They are part of the Umu-eleh clan (umunna) in Umuenechi, Umuanum, Nibo. This clan is part of the greater Umu-Nzekwe clan.

Colonial administration

HRH Nnama Orjiakor was the ruler of Nibo for many years before being appointed a Warrant Chief and Paramount Ruler in 1896 by Queen Victoria of England during the colonial administration of Nigeria by Lord Lugard.

Amongst notable Royal personalities also honoured by Her Majesty Queen Victoria were HRH. Onyeama of EKE, HRH. OBI of Onitsha, HRH. Idigo of Aguleri, HRH. Eze of Ukpo, HRH. Agwuna of Enugu Ukwu, HRH. Onwurah of Awka, HRH. Kodilinye of Obosi, HRH. Nwodo of Ukehe and Ojiako Ezenne of Adazi-Nnukwu.

HRH. Nnama was appointed the Chief Judge of the Customary Court of Appeal for Awka province in 1896 and served in that jurisdiction till his death in 1945. He was also elevated as a Judge in the Provincial Customary Court of Appeal for the Old Onitsha Province in 1898. The colonial province of Onitsha covered the geographical area known today as Anambra and Enugu States of Nigeria.

Royal families

The British did not impose new Igbo Royal families but recognised the ancient Royal families who signed the "Instrument of Surrender" as the Royal Niger Company and the Queen's Battalions conquered towns and villages in Eastern and Southern Nigeria.

Prior to the British conquest of Nibo, HRH. Nnama was the Deputy Chief Judge of the legendary "Omenuko" Court headed by HRH. Okoli Ijeoma of Ndike, A fearless War Lord ruling over all the towns in what is now known as Anambra State from 1856 until the British conquest of the heartland in 1896. HRH. Nnama, a man of great foresight and master of grand alliance, sealed a life long blood treaty with this immortal War Lord in 1876 through the marriage of his sister to Crown Prince Nwene Ijeoma. HRH. Nnama and HRH. Okoli Ijeoma remained great royal friends in peace time and war time before the British conquest.

Surrender to the British

It is a recorded fact that Nibo was the first town to capitulate to the British Army. HRH. Nnama sent emissary to HRH. Okoli briefing him of the mighty military strength and arsenal of the British Battalion and informing him that the Nibo War council has decided not to wage a futile war but to surrender. Okoli sent a "flag-staff" message to his great friend and after wishing him fare well vowed that he will never be ruled by any other King: white, red or black. He kept preparing for war but after the "bloody massacre" of AGULU town warriors, Okoli a defiant and immortal War Lord still fiercely fought the British until his army was badly broken. He dressed up in his royal robe, sat on his royal throne and put himself down after drinking from the royal cup. When the British army arrived at Ndike, HRH Okoli was gone at his word.

Achievements

HRH Nnama's achievements are documented in some of the colonial records of the British Administration for old Awka and Onitsha provinces. A man of great benevolence and equanimity, his name was featured in the widely acclaimed book, Things Fall Apart, written by Chinua Achebe. This can be found on page 124 of the expanded edition. HRH Nnama's Court called " OBI" which was constructed in 1876 still stands as a historical monument in NIBO town and a timeless tribute to this legendary royal personality of the Nnama - Orjiakor Igbo dynasty.

His son, Crown Prince Joshua Orji Nnama became a Missionary and leader of the Anglican Church in 1913, and spent his life converting people to Christianity from present day Anambra State to as far as Rivers State. He and his wife Selina Mgbafor (maiden name Ezekwe, a princess of the Ezekwem family in Ezeawulu, Nibo) built the All Saints Anglican Church Nibo, which is part of the Niger Diocese of the Nigerian Anglican church.

The Descendants of HRH Nnama are too numerous to be listed as the Nnamas constitute a clan living in Nigeria , Europe and United States. The ancestral home of the Nnamas is the Nnama Royal Court at Nibo, Awka LGA, Anambra State of Nigeria.