The National Museum of Unity, Enugu, on Wednesday unveiled a memorial sculpture and a permanent exhibition gallery in honour of Onyeama N’Eke, recognising his contributions to leadership.

The exhibition, titled ‘The Legend of Their Era: Chief Onyeama N’Eke’, was organised by the National Museum of Unity in collaboration with the Murus Association, descendants of the renowned traditional ruler.

Mr N’Eke (c.1870s–1933) was a powerful warrant chief and traditional ruler in colonial Igboland. Based in Eke, Udi council area of Enugu, he built a wealthy dynasty across the Agbaja region and became one of the most influential Igbo leaders of his era.

Speaking at the inauguration, the museum’s curator, Aloysius Duru, described Mr N’Eke as a statesman whose influence transcended local, regional, and national boundaries, making him deserving of permanent recognition in the museum.

Mr Duru said the museum applied its criteria for immortalising notable personalities and found that the late paramount chief excelled in every category. 

He noted that historical records showed Mr N’Eke was among the foremost suppliers of labour to the Enugu coal mines, making him an important figure in the coal city’s history.

Mr Duru also noted that archival documents showing how Mr N’Eke successfully petitioned the colonial administration for allowances to paramount chiefs.

“The correspondence demonstrated that he understood his rights and defended them courageously. Eventually, the colonial authorities approved the payment of £10, which was a substantial amount at the time,” he said.

The curator further praised Mr N’Eke for introducing the Catholic Church to his kingdom and for insisting that English be used to educate his people.

He said Mr N’Eke employed educated clerks from Sierra Leone to teach his children, several of whom later distinguished themselves in various professions, including one who became Nigeria’s first judge at The Hague.

Mr Duru described the Onyeama Palace at Eke as a cultural and tourism asset that deserved urgent preservation.

He said the palace contained historical relics, including a Portuguese-built supermarket made of corrugated iron sheets, an appeal court, traditional water conservation facilities, slaughterhouses and other artefacts capable of attracting tourists from across the world.

“The Enugu state government, the local government and the community should work together to preserve this heritage. It will generate revenue, create jobs and place the community on the global tourism map,” he said.

(NAN)