By
Chinedu Abazie
Nze Ukwu Nwelue Nnadum was the Royal Court Adjudicator at the King’s Palace in Nsu and he translated for the Palace when the Portuguese arrived.Nze Ukwu Nwelue Nnadum was an Igbo statesman, scholar, philosopher and Court Adjudicator, who served at the Palace of the Eze of Nsu between 1780 – 1830.
He upheld optimate principles during disputes in Mbano in 1880 and resolved the political crises that led to the establishment of Mbano autonomy on March 2, 1890.
His extensive works include treatises on rhetoric, philosophy and politics in Igbo cosmology. He is considered one of Nsu’s greatest orators.
He came from a wealthy Nze na Ozo family of the Igbo equestrian order, and served as translator in Amuru, Okigwe.
He would later study at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, briefly, in having retired from the Palace. It was while in Sierra Leone, that he met Samuel Ajayi Crowther, who had just been freed.
Ukwu Nwelue Nnadum travelled from one place to another, in the company of his slaves, before encountering the Portuguese again on his trip to Cape Verde. He learnt how to play the piano in Sal, returning to have his grand children, Thompson Nwelue and Ernest Nwelue baptized in the Anglican Church, to study in Gold Coast (now Ghana).
Nze Ukwu Nnadum was born on 20 December in Ezeoke Nsu.
Ezeoke Nsu evolved in 711 BC, as a hilly town 100 kilometers (62 mi) southeast of Owerri.
He belonged to the Nze na Ozo caste. His father was a well-to-do member of the equestrian order and possessed good connections in Mbano. He studied the Igbo tradition, way of life and language extensively to compensate and helped to harness Igbo Izugbe.
Although little is known about Nnadum’s mother, it was common for the wives of important Igbo people to be responsible for the management of the household. Nnadum’s brother Nwachukwu was well educated to tell that she was a housewife who owned lands.
Nze Ukwu Nnadum died in 1905.
Your opinion matters, please leave a comment