People / Spotlight on achievers

When Cynthia Njemanze wanted her classmates in a black studies course at Rancho Santiago College to hear about Africa from a person who lives there, she called on a relative who happens to be one of that continent’s more prominent residents.

Her uncle, King Emmanuel Emenyonu Njemanze of Owerri, a region of about 26,000 in southeastern Nigeria, readily agreed.

The king and his wife, Queen Pugoeze Pauline Ngozi, visited their niece for the first time and taught a lesson to her class this week about the culture of the Nigerian people and the history of the area they rule.

The 11th king of the Njemanze dynasty told the college students that in Owerri, “we’re a very peaceful people.”

He described an annual gathering to celebrate the founding of Owerri and explained that the residents practice peaceful rituals. “It’s a period of peace,” he said. “We reconcile. We don’t fight. There is no weeping allowed and no firing of cannons.”

The Nigerian republic is ruled by a military-dominated government, with a cabinet that runs day-to-day operations. Kings and queens in the country serve as ambassadors and peacemakers, the queen said.

Her main role, she said, is to promote peace at home in the predominantly Christian region.

“If all is well at home, there will be peace and prosperity,” the king said.

Dressed in traditional royal attire, their majesties also answered questions regarding the lifestyle and culture of Owerri.

“The African culture is built on respect for the elders,” the king said. “You must be of good behavior because the future is good for you.”

He left the students with folk wisdom from his homeland: “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, all is lost.”

Cynthia Njemanze, born in Kenya, said she and her classmates learned something from their special guests: “The king taught a good lesson--something about our origin.”