Anthropologist and author of the seminal work on Onitsha, The King in Every Man: Evolutionary Prof Richard (Dick) Henderson, is in the country after 64 years of leaving as special guest of Agbogidi, Obi of Onitsha, for Ofala 2026 scheduled holding on October 16 and 17. Henderson arrived from Tucson, Arizona. He was accompanied by his son, Michael.

Professor Henderson, who lived among Ndi-Onicha from 1960 to 62, gave the world the most authoritative account of what it meant to be Onitsha: that kingship, eze, ozo, umunna, ogbe,and the spirit of aniare 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 photographs, shrines, iba, okpulukpu, and oral histories that might otherwise have been lost. n and wards. You’ll be glad you did. And generations will thank you for it.

Obia, an editor at THISDAY, and formerly at Daily Independent newspapers, lives in Lagos.