Uvuru Autonomous Community in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State will on December 27, 2025, formally crown His Royal Highness, Eze Sir Iheanacho Chinyereze Mbalewe, as Ezeoha III. The coronation coincides with the community’s annual cultural festival, Okwunakuwa Day, and comes nearly 45 years after the enthronement of Uvuru’s first traditional ruler.
Ezeoha III is the son of the late HRH Eze Reuben Ugwuegbulem Mbalewe, Ezeoha I of Uvuru Ikedinairi, and Ugoeze Patience Ahunna Mbalewe. He is the sixth of his father’s 18 children and the first of six sons, a position that placed him early in line with the royal heritage of the community.
Popularly known as “Acho,” the new monarch received his early education in Port Harcourt before completing primary school in Uvuru following the family’s relocation during the Nigerian Civil War. He attended Ife Secondary School, Ife Ezinihitte, and Presentation Secondary School, Ogbaku, before pursuing higher education in the United States.
Eze Mbalewe holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Economics from Temple University, Philadelphia, and an MBA in Management from Golden Gate University, San Francisco. He also participated in the National Youth Service Corps in Kaduna State.
His professional career spans banking, finance, real estate, fleet management, and public service. He worked with Union Bank, IMS Limited, ABC Merchant Bank, and later held senior roles in organisations in Nigeria and the United States, including the City of New York. Over nearly four decades, he rose to management positions and undertook several executive training programmes.
Following the passing of HRH Eze Fidelis Elugwaraonu, Ezeoha II, the community declared the throne vacant and, in line with constitutional and traditional processes, unanimously selected Eze Mbalewe. He had served the Ezeoha Uvuru Cabinet for over 22 years, holding the title of Nnanyereugo Obioha of Uvuru Ikedinairi.
The new monarch is widely regarded as deeply rooted in Uvuru customs and traditions and has championed development initiatives within and beyond the community. He has consistently emphasised peace, youth empowerment, and economic advancement as priorities of his reign.
A Knight of Saint Christopher, Eze Mbalewe is married to Ugoeze Lady Mary Chinyere Mbalewe (née Nwalor), and the marriage is blessed with two children. Uvuru Autonomous Community comprises 12 villages with an estimated population of over 5,000 people and has maintained a continuous traditional leadership structure since its first official recognition in 1980.