National Museum unveils memorial sculpture to immortalise paramount Chief Onyeama N’Eke

National Museum unveils memorial sculpture to immortalise paramount Chief Onyeama N’Eke

The National Museum of Unity, Enugu, on Wednesday unveiled a memorial sculpture and permanent exhibition gallery in honour of the late Paramount Chief Onyeama N’Eke, in recognition of his remarkable 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, the descendants of the renowned traditional ruler.

Paramount Chief Onyeama n’Eke (c.1870s–1933) was a powerful warrant chief and traditional ruler in Colonial Igboland. Based in Eke, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, he built a vast, wealthy dynasty across the Agbaja region and became one of the most influential Igbo leaders of his era.

Speaking during the inauguration, the Curator of the National Museum of Unity, Enugu, Mr Aloysius Duru, described Chief Onyeama as a statesman whose influence transcended local, regional and national boundaries, making him deserving of permanent recognition in the museum.

According to Duru, the museum subjected the proposal to its established criteria for immortalising notable personalities and found that the late paramount chief excelled in every category.

He noted that historical records showed that Onyeama was among the foremost suppliers of labour to the Enugu coal mines, making him an integral figure in the history of the coal city.

“You cannot talk about coal mining in Enugu without mentioning Chief Onyeama N’Eke,” he said.

Duru also recalled archival documents showing how Chief Onyeama, alongside paramount Chief Chukwuani , successfully petitioned the colonial administration for the payment of 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 pounds, which was a substantial amount at the time,” he said.

The curator further praised the late traditional ruler for introducing the Catholic Church to his kingdom and insisting that English be used in educating his people.

He said the chief 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.

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

He said the palace contained unique 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.

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“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.

Also speaking, the Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, congratulated the Onyeama family for preserving the legacy of one of the state’s most distinguished traditional rulers.

She described the unveiling as a significant step toward safeguarding Enugu’s cultural heritage and pledged government support to develop the Onyeama Palace into a major tourist attraction.

“We are here not only to remember a great man but to celebrate a legacy that continues to inspire generations. The Onyeama Palace deserves recognition as a heritage and tourism destination.

“I am committed to working with the family to make that vision a reality,” she said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Murus Association, Chief Luke Mmamel, said the memorial project was initiated and funded by the descendants of Chief Onyeama’s daughters to preserve the legacy of their maternal ancestor for future generations.

He described the late monarch as an exceptional leader who was far ahead of his time, noting that he established an Appeal Court, strengthened community security through an organised traditional system and played a key role in expanding Christianity in the area.

According to Mmamel, Chief Onyeama attended the Empire Exhibition in England in the 1920s and received a motorcycle as a royal gift, while his support for Catholic missionaries enabled the rapid establishment of churches and schools in the region.

He also recalled the traditional ruler’s courageous defence of the interests of his people during the colonial era, saying his leadership earned him widespread respect and the nickname “the Lion.”

“We are immortalising him today not only for ourselves but for generations yet unborn. His life remains a shining example of visionary leadership, courage and service,” he said.

Explaining the background of the project, a member of the Murus Association, Chief Joe Mmamel, said efforts to establish a permanent exhibition in honour of Chief Onyeama began about four years ago.

He said the association secured approval from the Federal Ministry responsible for tourism after presenting the late chief’s historical achievements and national significance.

According to him, the approval led to the establishment of the exhibition hall and commissioning of a life-sized sculpture painstakingly produced by a renowned sculptor, Bonak.

He commended Duru for his unwavering commitment to the project, describing him as an honorary member of the Murus Association, whose dedication ensured the successful completion of the exhibition before his retirement.

Mmamel said the exhibition featured photographs, historical documents and personal artefacts, including the motorcycle presented to Chief Onyeama during his visit to England.

He listed others to include; records highlighting his contributions to education, healthcare, traditional governance and the development of Enugu’s coal industry.