His Royal Highness, Ogbuefi Ojiako Ezenne (1857–1944) was appointed by the Colonial government in Nigeria and served as a Warrant Chief from 1914–1921 and then as a Paramount Chief of Adazi-Nnukwu (currently in Anambra State) from (1921–1944.
The protectorate government of the time recognised then royal leadership which was based on the Ofo (eldership system) amongst the villages that make Igbo towns. Therefore, as the holder of the Ofo Ozo Okpalaekili and the oldest Ozo title in Adazi-Nnukwu, HRH Ojiako Ezenne also imaged as President of the Agulu Customary Court in 1914, after serving as a clan chief of Amolu Clan (senior clan in Adazi-Nnukwu) from between 1907 and 1914.
HRH, Ojiako Ezenne was among the notable Warrant Chiefs of the time including Amobi of Ogidi, Muoyekwu Onyiuke of Nimo and Nnama Orjiakor of Nibo. He was recognised by the Colonial Distinct Office for his excellent service record and he chaired the meeting of forty-five Warrant Chiefs in South-East Nigeria on 1st February 1915, where the law terminating slavery practice in South-East Nigeria was enacted, and placed in direct confrontation with the Aro slave dealers.
The Catholic missionaries arrived Adazi –Nnukwu in 1912 on HRH Ogbuefi Ojiako Ezenne invitation. Adazi –Nnukwu was notably the springboard of Christianity evangelization across central Igbo heartland and the missionaries established both educational and health facilities form meeting the needs of the adjourning Igbo communities. One of such facility is St. Josephs Hospital which was established in 1938 and was a major tertiary referral hospital in the region
HRH Ojiako Ezenne had more than 37 wives and was survived by 86 children. Among his children were Okamigbo Ojiako who served as Nigeria’s first Ambassador to Germany and later became the second Igwe of Adazi-Nnukwu. Another of his son, Obudume Ojiako , served as the third Igwe (Adama) of Adazi-Nnukwu.
This building is still standing till today. Igbo kwenu!
