Late Igwe John Ejikeme Nebeolisa, also known as Joneb, Arusi Awkuzu, or Igwe Ibilibeogada—which translates to “The biggest the town has ever seen”—was a well-known figure in the 1980s and 1990s Igbo elite and multibillionaire circles. He was close to the late Eze ego of Ihiala and the powerful Chief Morris Ibekwe of Okwelle Holdings. In addition, he was a trailblazer and a prominent member of the Peoples Club of Nigeria during that time. Members of this social club included many multibillionaires, most of them with dubious sources of wealth. For the majority of Nigerians, the millionaire members of this group were either associated with dubious ventures, customs, blood money, or other related activities. But these were mere speculations because there was no proof.
In his heyday, John Nebeolisa was the epitome of what a man might hope to become. He drove a brand-new Peugeot 504, a limousine, and other high-end vehicles. Whatever was popular in the 1990s, Joneb had it all. He traveled in convoy and with bodyguards. In addition to owning properties in Abuja, Lagos, and overseas, Joneb had enterprises throughout the eastern area. His ventures included lodging facilities, tour companies, and other contentious enterprises. He amassed enormous wealth at the time from his dubious ventures, but he also spent it as if there were no tomorrow.
In his musical recordings, the late Chief Dr. Oliver De Coque, the maestro of Igbo highlife, chanted his praises to the skies. Ozoemena Nsugbe (Ayaka), a well-known Igbo musician, also sang laudatory songs about him. Oliver De Coque once devoted an entire album to the proprietor of the formerly well-known Joneb Holiday Inn in Awkuzu. Despite his money and influence, which are inherent to man, Joneb remained dissatisfied with his accomplishments as a multimillionaire in his thirties.
How He Acquired Awkuzu’s Kingship:
The controversial businessman Joneb stated his ambition to become the King of Awkuzu, a town in the Oyi local government area of Anambra State, challenging the long-standing Igbo tradition in the region. Joneb’s desire for fame and power drove him to this extreme. Following the demise of King Aganama IV, the Late Igwe John Ejikeme Nebeolisa seized the kingdom by force. The multimillionaire initially gave the impression that he was bluffing to the majority of the town’s elders, dignitaries, and Igwe in council until he broke into each of their homes one by one carrying bags stuffed with’mints’ of naira notes that anyone who opposed his goal had never seen in their lives.
Because of his immense wealth, Joneb was able to purchase his way into the throne. He bought off everyone who may have possibly objected to his quest to take the kingdom, to specify his price and have it doubled there in front of him. People first learned that everything on earth has a price and that kingship could be purchased through John Ejikeme Nebeolisa, also known as Joneb. Joneb and all of his supporters were crowned Igwe Ibilibeogada and Arusi Awkuzu, which translates to mean “The biggest the town has ever seen and the Oracle of the whole kingdom of Awkuzu,” when the payment for his ascent to the throne of Awkuzu was paid.
After ruling Awkuzu for ten years, Joneb passed away in his Lagos home while spending time with his family watching television. At the age of 44, he passed away. The notorious statement “na ọcha acha si gbute, ọchaghị acha si gbute, ka e were dozie Obodo Awkuzu” was made at that time to young people in Awkuzu both at home and abroad. The dynasty he forcibly seized the kingdom from eventually gained its birthright because the family he left behind after his death was a young one and ill-prepared both mentally and physically to carry on his legacy as the Arusi Awkuzu.
