A new documentary is shining an international spotlight on an unlikely champion of women’s rights and social reform in Nigeria’s traditional heartland. The 19-minute film tells the story of how one traditional ruler transformed his community by dismantling centuries-old practices that oppressed women and fuelled social problems.
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His Royal Majesty, Eze G.C. Onwuka of Umutowe Autonomous Community in Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government Area, has emerged as a pioneering figure in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) across southeastern Nigeria. The documentary “Eze G.C. Onwuka and the Rebirth of Umutowe,” released Tuesday by the WABMA Foundation, captures his remarkable journey from traditional authority to progressive reformer.
The film presents a community in dramatic transition. Where women were once barred from owning land and widows faced degrading ritual practices, Umutowe now represents a model of inclusive governance and social justice. The transformation extends beyond gender issues to encompass youth drug abuse and community security challenges that have plagued rural Nigerian communities.
“Those things we were practicing before, we don’t practice them now in this community,” Eze Onwuka explains in candid interviews featured throughout the documentary. “The changes are manifesting in their own way. Most of these problems come from lack of education — that’s why we have to educate them.”
The documentary employs compelling visual storytelling combined with intimate testimonials from community members whose lives have been directly impacted by the reforms. Among the most striking narratives is that of the community’s first female vice president general, whose appointment to the king’s cabinet broke a fundamental gender barrier in traditional governance structures.
Equally powerful is the account of a rape survivor’s family who found legal justice through the palace’s intervention – a departure from historical practices where such cases were often handled through traditional reconciliation methods that frequently failed victims. The film also follows a widow who was liberated from oppressive mourning rites and provided with community support systems.
The documentary reveals how Eze Onwuka’s community security initiatives have created safer environments for young people, addressing drug abuse problems that had become endemic in the area. These grassroots interventions represent practical applications of the king’s broader philosophy of education-based reform.
The WABMA Foundation produced the film under its Sexual and Gender-Based Violence advocacy programme, with support from the Ford Foundation. The project is part of a broader strategy to document and promote successful community-level interventions against SGBV across Nigeria.
The timing of the documentary’s release is particularly significant, as Nigeria grapples with persistent challenges around gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices. The film offers an example of traditional leadership actively challenging cultural norms rather than defending them.
“Eze G.C. Onwuka and the Rebirth of Umutowe” became available for public viewing on YouTube this week. The Foundation plans to use the documentary in community engagement screenings and policy dialogue sessions throughout Abia State and the broader Southeast region.
The film’s release is part of the WABMA Foundation’s broader mission to combat SGBV through community-based education initiatives. The organisation focuses on empowering young people to become change agents within their schools and communities, recognising that sustainable social transformation requires grassroots engagement.
For traditional rulers across Nigeria and West Africa, Eze Onwuka’s story presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The documentary suggests that traditional authority, often seen as resistant to social change, can become a powerful force for progressive reform when leaders choose to prioritise community welfare over cultural orthodoxy.
The film is now streaming on YouTube at https://youtu.be/xZWTaoKhz54, making it accessible to audiences across Nigeria and internationally.
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