A Very Special Guest Lands for Ofala 2026
Ndi Onitsha, our Ofala just got more historic.
The legendary Professor Richard N. Henderson — author of The King in Every Man — has touched down at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, from Tucson, Arizona, en route to Onitsha for Ofala 2026.
Read the full story below:
Prof. Richard Henderson Arrives Lagos En Route Onitsha For Ofala 2026
Professor Richard N. Henderson, the revered American anthropologist and author of the seminal The King in Every Man: Evolutionary Trends in Onitsha Ibo Society and Culture (1972, arrived today at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, from Tucson, Arizona. He was accompanied by his son, Michael Henderson.
Professor Henderson, who lived among Ndi-Onicha from 1960-62, is that rare onyeocha who truly listened — learning our language and institutions from within, and giving the world the most authoritative account of what it means to be Onitsha: that kingship, eze, ozo, umunna, ogbe, and the spirit of ani are not relics, but a living system where every man carries the dignity of a king.
His book remains not only foundational in Onitsha — respected in palaces and homes — but is also considered a primer on African anthropology. His continuing archive at amightytree.org, with Helen Henderson, preserves our photographs, shrines, iba, okpulukpu, and oral histories that might otherwise have been lost. Hence his name is invoked in Onitsha with unusual reverence for an outsider.
Professor Henderson is enc route to Onitsha as a special guest of His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, CFR, mni, Agbogidi, Obi of Onitsha, for Ofala 2026 scheduled to hold on October 16 & 17.
He was received on arrival by a team from Ime Obi led by Chief Ben Epundu, Ijagwo Obi. The delegation included:- Ojinnaka Onyenyionwu, President, OIU Lagos;- Commander Tagbo, NDLEA Commander, MMIA. Professor Henderson,
who lived among Ndi-Onicha from 1960-62, is that rare onyeocha who truly listened — learning our language and institutions from within, and giving the world the most authoritative account of what it means to be Onitsha: that kingship, eze, ozo, umunna, ogbe, and the spirit of ani are not relics, but a living system where every man carries the dignity of a king.
His book remains foundational — respected in palaces and homes — while his continuing archive at amightytree.org, preserves our photographs, shrines, iba, okpulukpu, and oral histories that might otherwise have been lost. Hence his name is invoked in Onitsha with unusual reverence for an outsider.
Professor Henderson is en route to Onitsha as a special guest of His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, CFR, mni, Agbogidi, Obi of Onitsha, for Ofala 2026 scheduled to hold on October 16 & 17.
He was received on arrival by a team from Ime Obi led by Chief Ben Epundu, Ijagwo Obi of Onitsha. The delegation included: Ojinnaka Onyenyionwu, President, Onitsha Improvement Union Lagos; Commander Tagbo, NDLEA Commander, MMIA.
Welcome home, Prof!