''Ogbuefi'' Ojiako Ezenne (1857–1944) was a member of the Igbo tribe who was appointed by the Colonial government to serve as Warrant Chief (1914–1921) and then

Paramount Chief A paramount chief is the English-language designation for a king or queen or the highest-level political leader in a regional or local polity or country administered politically with a Chiefdom, chief-based system. This term is used occasionally ...

(1921–1944), of Adazi-Nnukwu, now part of

Anambra State Anambra () is a States of Nigeria, state in Nigeria. It is located in the South East (Nigeria), South-eastern region of the country. The state was created on 27 August 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State and Ri ...

in Nigeria. As the new protectorate government, did not in all cases impose a new royal family on native populations, but recognised the ancient ruling families based on Ofo seniority across villages, Ojiako Ezenne as the holder of the ''Ofo Ozo Okpalaekili'', the oldest Ozo title in Adazi-Nnukwu, became the first African to serve as President of the Agulu Customary Court in 1914, having already served as

clan chief The Scottish Gaelic word means children. In early times, and possibly even today, Scottish clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the clan, after whom the clan is named. The clan chief (''ceannard ci ...

between 1907 and 1914 of Amolu Clan, the senior clan in Adazi-Nnukwu. Ojiako Ezenne was a contemporary of Warrant Chiefs such as Muoyekwu Onyiuke of Nimo, Amobi of Ogidi and Nnama Orjiakor of

Nibo Nibo is a town in the Awka South local government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. There are four major villages that make up the town. In order of seniority they are; Ezeawulu, Umuanum, Ifite and Ezeoye. Nibo is a community of cooperative peopl ...

. Identified by the Colonial Distinct Office, as serving with an excellent record, Ojiako Ezenne on February 1, 1915, chaired the meeting of forty-five Warrant Chiefs in South-East Nigeria that enacted laws terminating the practice of

slavery Slavery is the ownership of a person as property, especially in regards to their labour. Slavery typically involves compulsory work, with the slave's location of work and residence dictated by the party that holds them in bondage. Enslavemen ...

in South-East Nigeria, thus pitting him in direct confrontation with the Aro confederacy. Ojiako Ezenne had more than 37 wives and was survived by 86 children. Among his children were Okamigbo Ojiako who served as the second

Igwe Igwe (meaning ''"Sky"''), is a royal title or method of addressing traditional rulers that control autonomous communities in Igboland. In other words, Igbos approximate the term to the HM style. An Igwe is therefore defined as a holder of a tit ...

of Adazi-Nnukwu. Another son, Obudume Ojiako, served as the third Igwe (Adama) of Adazi-Nnukwu. A sister, Mbafo Ezenne, was married to the late Amanyanabo Owokori VII of

Abonnema Abonnema is a town in Nigeria that was founded in 1882 by eleven independent, equal and autonomous founding fathers in 1882. Abonnema has no monarchy but is governed by the principle of ''primus inter pares'', first among equals. History Preceden ...

. He was also a brother-in-law to the Aro politician Igwegbe Odum.

References

{{Reflist Igbo families 19th-century Nigerian people 20th-century Nigerian people People from colonial Nigeria Igbo royalty People from Anambra State