“I also promise not only to be your servant leader but also to be a true custodian of the traditional honors of the great kingdom of Achalla,”
—Eze Oranyelu Sunny Nwokedi
The Uthoko Na Eze Royal Family of Achalla, the Igwe-in Council, the Ancient Society of Ndi Alor, and the entire Achalla Community, Awka North Local Government, Anambra State, have concluded the Coronation and Iwaji (New Yam) Ceremonies of His Majesty, Igwe Ositadinma Sunny Nwokedi, Eze Oranyelu, Uthoko VI of Achalla, Anambra State, held at the ancestral Palace of the Uthoko Na Eze, Achalla, from October 28 through 31, 2021.
The coronation attended by dignitaries around the globe featured a 3-day program-packed traditional rites, held on Friday, October 28; Iwaji (New Yam) with his 1st Ofala Ceremony; and Thanksgiving Ceremony held on October 30 and 31 respectively.
In the past few months, threads of traditional rites and events leading to this throne have been observed and completed, paving way for the just-concluded official coronation of his kingship. In the process, Eze Oranyelu Sunny Nwokedi received a Certificate of Kingship from the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano.
Located in the south-central part of Anambra State, Achalla is the capital of Awka North Local Government surrounded by towns like Amanuke, Igbariam, Obaefemili, Ukwulu, Urum e.t.c.
A new king of Achalla was necessary following the transition of the former ruler, His Majesty, Igwe Alex Ezeoba Nwokedi V, the Uthoko of Achalla. Aged 84, Igwe Alex Nwokedi who served as the Chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and also Chairman of the Nine Eastern States Council of Traditional Rulers passed away May 11, 2020, after a brief illness.
Eze Oranyelu Sunny Nwokedi, a distinguished businessman, nominated by the Uthoko Na Eze Royal family and backed up by the Igwe-in Council, the ancient society of Ndi Alor, and the entire Achalla community picked up the ancestral mace to resume the legacy of the traditional monarchy. According to the new king, “It’s an ancestral call – an inevitable responsibility and I will remain faithful to that trust.”
“On behalf of the Uthoko Dynasty, I sincerely thank all our guests for attending this event. Now, I can proudly hold up my chieftaincy scepter with utmost confidence, veneration, and loyalty to the throne. I also promise not only to be your servant-leader but also a true custodian of the traditional honors of the great kingdom of Achalla,” Eze Oranyelu Sunny Nwokedi said.
His Royal Highness continued, “Also, let me tell you that it is not just my sole effort that has brought me here. I would like to give special thanks to my family members – the Uthoko Dynasty, who have been my mentors, supporters, and inspirators throughout this process. Everyone needs such mentors in life, and I am lucky to have found mine.”
The coronation featured the outing of the occasional Oganachi Masquerade; the “Iwapu Oji” ceremony; the “Ada masquerade” procession; and finally, a Thanksgiving Mass was held to close out the coronation process.
Eze Oranyelu Sunny Nwokedi was born in Onitsha in Anambra State, December 5, 1965, to Chief John Obi & Esther Chikaodili Nwokedi. It was a few years before the civil war which broke out in 1967. He spent the entire three years of the war at the Uthoko Palace in Achalla with the family, and this was when his familiarity with the town’s traditional and monarchical heritage began.
Eze Oranyelu Sunny Nwokedi spent time in Enugu after the civil war where he resumed his primary school education. He attended Enitonna High School in Port Harcourt (Rivers State) and proceeded to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State where he studied Political Science and Administration.
In recent years, Eze Oranyelu Sunny Nwokedi has established various business ventures nationally and internationally. He said, “I am open when it comes to choosing my business environment and partners and would always adapt to every new environment I find myself in, to allow a checkered lifestyle.”
He is passionate about people – a trait he had demonstrated among Achalla indigenes. He said, “The community is made of people, therefore to be a community person one has to be passionate about the people, their cause, their culture, and their aspirations. I cut a myriad of pictures to different people depending on what part of the chasm I view them from. For Achalla, it is an inherited bond if I look back at my early age during the civil war through the current era.”
By his current traditional designation, Eze Oranyelu Sunny Nwokedi has now joined a lineup of other recognized distinguished traditional rulers in Anambra State in presiding his official duties. He would parade a matrix of aristocracy and transformational models. He said, “This is a traditional setting – in other words, it is my duty to govern according to the tradition of the land. At the same time, my personality reflects compassion, friendliness, respect for elder statesmanship, and love for the people.” He continued, “I listen a lot more than I speak. This makes me a good learner and allows me to respect or articulate peoples’ perspective. I try not to dispute their opinion even when it’s the opposite of who I am. These are some of my transformational traits and truly, these have been my driving force all through my endeavors as a community advocate.”
Eze Oranyelu Sunny Nwokedi is married to his wife of 13 years, Tiffanny Nkechi Nwokedi. He has our children. Ositadinma, Chukwuemeka, Obieze and Ifeoma Nwokedi.
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