PRESENTATION OF STAFF OF THE OFFICE & CORONATION CEREMONY OF HRH CHIEF VINCENT AGBODEKHIEMHE OTSOI
SPEECH BY HRH, CHIEF VINCENT AGBODEKHEMHE OTSOI, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS PRESENTATION OF STAFF OF OFFICE AND CORONATION AS THE OKPHE UKPI OF OGBONA.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR MONDAY OKPEBHOLO, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF EDO STATE.
DATE: DECEMBER 27,2025.
VENUE: THE ROYAL PALACE, OGBONA SUB -CLAN, AVHIANWU CLAN.
Your Excellency, The Governor of Edo State,
Hon. Commissioners,
Hon Members of Edo State House of Assembly,
The Executive Chairman of Etsako Central L.G.A,
Royal Highnesses and Chiefs Here Present,
Gentlemen of the Press,
My Lords, Spiritual and Temporal,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all, to this inaugural occasion of the presentation of Staff of Office and Coronation, as the Okpheukpi of Ogbona Sub -Clan, by the Edo State Governor, distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo.
I warmly welcome and appreciate the Governor for finding time to honour the people of Ogbona with his esteem presence. We thank you, Mr Governor, for your unparalleled style of governance, prudence and innovative service delivery, which have brought development to the nooks and crannies of Edo State.
I must also thank our spiritual and cultural father, the eldest man in Ogbona, PA Daniel Amhanesi, for his purposeful leadership and steadfastness in managing community affairs, especially since the demise of our former Okpheukpi, the late Chief William Uloko Idode, as well as Pa Aluoghor of blessed memory.
Your Excellency, my coronation today is a testament to your giant strides in bringing peace, harmony and tranquility to the people of Ogbona and Edo State in general. We will not pretend however, that it would be an easy task, but it is my fervent prayers that with the guidance of the Almighty God, support and cooperation of the people, and our ancestors we will surely succeed in this onerous task.
As the Okpheukpi of Ogbona, it is my duty to act as pathfinder, and rallying point, in the co-ordination of community matters, in the best interest of our people, both at home, and in the diaspora.
I therefore, wish to appeal to all sons and daughters of Ogbona, through the
Okpeukpi-in-Council to continue to Co-operate and offer useful advice to us, towards fast-tracking reconciliation, peace, progress and the development of our land.
On behalf of the people of Ogbona, I wish to thank the Governor for his magnanimity in converting our Federal Government Girls Model Secondary School to a Technical College, and his renovation of dilapidated schools across the state. These are among the many noble steps which your government has taken towards the enhancement of education in the state.
Your Excellency, while we deeply appreciate your kind gestures, but, like the proverbial Oliver Twist, we will not stop asking for more. We therefore, humbly plead that the technical school be completely renovated to enhance conducive teaching and learning environment.
Your Excellency Sir, we are most fervently also appealing to you, to use your good offices to constuct the Ogbona-Ekperi Road, to ease intercity transportation, and deepen farming and marketing of farm produce across the two communities.
Let me end this address by pledging our community’s unflinching support for your government, which has proven beyond doubt, that it is committed to the enhancement of the well-being, peace, progress and equal development in Edo State.
On this occasion of the presentation of the Staff of Office and Coronation as the Okpheukpi of Ogbona, I pledge to the people of Ogbona that, I will open my doors towards healing the wounds of the land, and I pray that the Almighty God, and our ancestors will guide us to succeed. Amen
Long Live Avhianwu Clan.
Long Live Ogbona Sub-Clan.
Long Live Etsako Central L.G.A.
Long Live Edo State.
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nig.
HRH, Chief Vincent Agbodekhemhe Otsoi
Okphe-Ukpi of Ogbona Sub-Clan.
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ACCEPTANCE ADDRESS
BY
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, CHIEF VINCENT OTSOI
THE OKPHE-UKPI OF OGBONA KINGDOM
ON THE OCCASION OF PRESENTATION OF THE STAFF OF THE OFFICE/ CORONATION CEREMONY
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State,
Senator Monday Okpebholo;
The Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Edo State,
Dr. Lucky Eseigbe;
The Honourable Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investment,
Hon. Omoh Innocent Anabor;
Chief Dan Osi Orbih;
His Royal Highness, the Oghie of Avianwu Kingdom;
Other Royal Fathers,
Distinguished Chiefs and Elders,
Esteemed Sons and Daughters of Ogbona Kingdom,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I stand before you today with deep humility, gratitude, and a profound sense of responsibility as I accept the sacred trust bestowed upon me as the Okphe-Ukpi of Ogbona sub-clan in Avianwu Kingdom, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
I give all glory and honour to Almighty God, whose grace and guidance have made this historic day possible. I also acknowledge our ancestors, whose wisdom and sacrifices laid the foundation upon which our traditions stand today.
My sincere appreciation goes to His Royal Highness, the Oghie of Avianwu Kingdom, the council of chiefs, elders, and kingmakers for finding me worthy to occupy this revered stool. This honour is one I accept with utmost respect and a firm commitment to serve with integrity, fairness, and dedication.
I wish to specially appreciate the Government of Edo State under the purposeful leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for restoring hope to the common man and upholding justice and fairness in governance. Your Excellency, your commitment to equity has rekindled the confidence of the people in leadership and the rule of law. We are particularly grateful for your courage in correcting past injustices, where rightful owners of positions were unjustly deprived under the previous administration. Today, victory has been restored, hope has been renewed, and justice has prevailed. For this, the people of Ogbona sub-clan and Avianwu Kingdom remain deeply thankful.
I also appreciate the Honourable Commissioners present here today for honouring this historic occasion with their presence and continued support for traditional institutions and grassroots development.
To the people of Ogbona Kingdom, I am deeply grateful for your prayers, loyalty, and unwavering support. Your unity is our strength, and your trust is my greatest motivation.
As I assume this noble responsibility, I am fully aware that the position of Okphe-Ukpi is not one of power alone, but of service, sacrifice, and accountability. I pledge to be a father to all, a promoter of peace, and a custodian of our culture and values. I will work closely with the traditional council, community leaders, youths, women, and government authorities to promote harmony, security, and sustainable development in our kingdom.
My reign shall be anchored on unity, dialogue, and inclusiveness. I will encourage education, support youth empowerment, and create an enabling environment for economic growth and communal progress.
To our sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora, I call on you to remain connected to your roots and contribute meaningfully to the growth and advancement of Ogbona Kingdom.
In conclusion, I humbly seek your continued prayers, guidance, and cooperation as I embark on this journey of service. May peace reign in our land, may progress be our portion, and may Ogbona Kingdom continue to prosper.
Thank you all for honouring this occasion with your presence.
May God bless you,
May God bless Ogbona Kingdom,
May God bless Avianwu Kingdom,
And may God bless Edo State.
Thank you.
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PROFILE OF HRH, CHIEF VINCENT AGBODEKHEMHE OTSOI
His Royal Highness, Chief Vincent Agbodekhemhe Otsoi, was born on June 6, 1963, into the prestigious lineage of Pa Iyevhe, from Ivhiomierele Quarters of Ogbona, in Avhianwu Clan, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
A man of dual royalty from both paternal and maternal sides, Vincent is the third son of the late Pa Paul Amedu Otsoi, from the Eragbhe Ruling House of Okotor Quarters in Ogbona, while his mother, Mrs Omosi Elizabeth Otsoi, is from Agbugui’s Royal Family of Ivianokpodi, in Egori Clan, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
He attended Imhakhena Primary School, Ogbona, from 1970 to 1976, before proceeding to Esigie Teachers College, Abudu, (1976- 1981), where he obtained his Teachers Grade 2 Certificate.
The quest for further studies took him to various higher institutions, among which were the Institute of Education, University of Ibadan, (1988 to 1989). College of Education, Agbor (1991 to 1994), and the University of Calabar (2003 to2006) where he bagged a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (B.Ed), with Second Class Upper, in Environmental Education.
The young Vincent started his teaching career in 1981 at Ebua Primary school, Iviebua in Agenebode, where he taught in different schools, attaining the rank of a Director, before his fulfilling retirement on June, 6, 2019.
His path to the exalted throne of Okpheukpi began in 2014, when the Eragbhe Family unanimously selected him to join the hierarchical chieftaincy rung as Egboise, following the passing of Chief Michael Umole.
The Egboise position, which is next to the Okpheukpi in the traditional chieftaincy organogram, belongs to the entire Ogbona community a position that he elaborately celebrated on March 15, 2019. Chief Otsoi marked his elevation to the Egboise rank with the involvement of key elements, among whom were the Oghieavhianwu of Avhianwu, Ikhaemho and Itadis across Ogbona and Avhianwu, in accordance with existing customs and traditions in Avhianwu at large.
Following the unfortunate demise of the former Okpheukpi, Chief William Uloko Idode on October 22, 2022 and the conclusion of his burial rites, Chief Vincent Otsoi, was on January 5, 2023, installed as the substantive Okpheukpi of Ogbona Sub-Clan, in Avhianwu Clan.
His Royal Highness, Chief Vincent Agbodekhemhe Otsoi is a Catholic by faith and is happily married with children. As he steps into the traditional hall of Fame, his wish is to see a new Ogbona, where peace, unity and development
Would reign. While thanking the Almighty God for his protection and abundance of grace his fervent prayer is for God to grant him the wisdom of king Solomon to be able to effectively pilot the affairs of Ogbona in particular , and Avhianwu in general.
