Located in the heart of Edo State, Ogbona is a thriving agro-based community, renowned for its lush farms that yield an abundance of yams, groundnuts, maize, cassava, and cashew nuts. Yet, beyond its fertile fields, Ogbona’s true spirit comes alive through the enchanting melodies that fill the air, revealing the community’s deep-rooted cultural essence.
Ogbona is one of the agro-based communities in Edo State Read More »
Ogbona is one of the agro-based communities in Edo State. The community is known for farming yams, groundnuts, maize, cassava, and cashew nuts. Though mainly farmers, we love making music and melody in Ogbona. Ogbona is most famous for consistently producing top-tier musicians in and around Edo. These musicians are renowned for their rich melodies, philosophical compositions, rhythms, and emotional music, making them unparalleled in the region. Some of the notable musicians are Gen Bolivia Osigbemhe, King Benji Igbadumhe, Mayor Constance Bolivia Osigbemhe, Evang Ochuwa Ikpemhi Amedu, Mrs. Titi Enegwea (Izi Dance Band of Ogbona), Iyodo Odogbo, Evang Florence Israel Oyarenua, Calinez Bolivia Osigbemhe, Mrs. Ashetu Aluoghor, Oyarekhua Mustapha AKA Mr. Soft and Victor Odogbo among others NAME OF OGBONA MUSICIAN 1. Gen Bolivia Osigbemhe 2. King Benji Igbadumhe 3. Iyodo Odogbo 4. Mr. Omoh Omiawa (Uncle One-Blow) 5. Ochuwa Ikpemhi Amedu 6. Evang Florence Israel Oyarenua 7. Mayor Constance Bolivia Osigbemhe 8. Calinez Bolivia Osigbemhe 9. Evang Valentine Bolivia Osigbemhe 10. Lucky Odogbo 11. Christian Odogbo Young Ichoye 12. Mr. Oghie Omiawa (Ongee Ogbona One) 13. Mrs. Judith Amhanesi Ifidon 14. Charity Okhotor 15. Mrs. Ashetu Aluoghor 16. Mrs Omholua Elizabeth. 17. Gabriel Igbadumhe 18. Anomhe Mary 19. Izibiri Ozenua Okpapi from Ivhiochie 20. Joseph Esibor. 21. Idanwekhai Stanley 22. Valentine Erasor 23. Oyarekhua Mustapha AKA Mr Soft 24. Anneline Ikponwosa nee Bolivia Osigbemhe 25. Sis. Vivian Oregbemhe 26. Praise Odogbo Junior Ichoye 27.Valenrino Bolivia Osigbemhe. 28. Mrs. Alukhe Oshiotse (Osikpamohbor Dance Group) 29. Mrs. Shaibu Enate 30. Mr. Attorney Ikhana Dance 31. Mrs. Titi Enegwea (Izi Dance Band of Ogbona) 32. Agbagbona 33. Ekpe Mochi 34. Alasa Obiaza 35. Panayo Bolivia OsigbemheDiscover Ogbona: The Heartbeat of Music Our community is a vibrant melting pot of exceptional musicians, celebrated for their soulful melodies, thought-provoking compositions, and infectious rhythms, making them unparalleled in the regionMeet the maestros who make Ogbona’s music scene so unforgettable: Gen. Bolivia Osigbemhe, King Benji Igbadumhe, Iyodo Odogbo, Mr. Omoh Omiawa (Uncle One-Blow), Ochuwa Ikpemhi Amedu, Evang. Florence Israel Oyarenua, Mayor Constance Bolivia Osigbemhe, Calinez Bolivia Osigbemhe, Evang. Valentine Bolivia Osigbemhe, Lucky Ichoye Odogbo, Christian Odogbo Young Ichoye, Oghie Omiawa (Ongee Ogbona One), Mrs. Judith Amhanesi Ifidon, Charity Okhotor, Mrs. Ashetu Aluoghor, Mrs. Omholua Elizabeth, Gabriel Igbadumhe, Anomhe Mary, Izibiri Ozenua Okpapi, Joseph Esibor, Idanwekhai Stanley, Valentine Erasor, Oyarekhua Mustapha AKA Mr Soft, Uncle One Blow (Akabanode), Victor Odogbo, Gabriel Igbadumhe, Anneline Ikponwosa nee Bolivia Osigbemhe, Sis. Vivian Oregbemhe, Praise Odogbo Junior Ichoye, Valenrino Bolivia Osigbemhe, Mrs. Alukhe Oshiotse (Osikpamohbor Dance Group), Mrs. Shaibu Enate, Mr. Attorney Ikhana Dance and Mrs. Titi Enegwea (Izi Dance Band of Ogbona) among others
Ogbona The Melody,, Our Land and Our home Read More »
AKOGHO (Overnight pounded yam) Dr John Odior Anaweokhai There it was, close to the pantry, with the halved conical head protruding conspicuously from the shallow plate. Ordinarily, it was the remains of the previous day’s dinner, but much more than that, it signposted relics of one’s formative years in Ogbona, as it conjured up deep and priceless memories, incomparable to anything else in the world. Age and health consciousness will certainly counter any resolve to descend on it as in the years of old. I find it difficult, if not impossible, to part ways with its younger brother, whose alluring sight and soothing taste have not ebbed with the flux of time. I like it most when it is just a day old. Eating overnight eba with groundnut soup may sound bizarre to some sophisticated mortals, but to me, it is the best meal ever. I like the brownish sight, the ease of cutting, and little mastication before the journey downward. If and only if one could replicate the same mannerisms with that of its elder brother, quite prevalent at this time of the year. Sometimes, it was heated on top of freshly boiled yam and re-pounded and consumed as breakfast; otherwise, it was consumed in its staled-stench form, using the bare hand to clean off the spittle-like substances sometimes found on its top. Taking it before a long-distance walk to the farm had no immediate side effects, but taking it before going to school had some telling effects, which manifested in the form of intermittent drowsiness while classes were on. Its effects were easily discernible. AKOGHO, sorry, it is over between us, but I promise to take your fond memories with me to the grave. AKOGHO 11 Dr John Odior Anaweokhai AKOGHO holds different meanings for different people. To the uninitiated, it may seem unbefitting of their status, but for some of us, it occupies a central position in our being. According to Eramha Gilbert Erelumhe Odior, an elderly man in Lagos was so passionate about AKOGHO that he would buy bush meat and prepare groundnut soup with pounded yam, keeping it until the next day to savor the taste. For Eramha EGO, nothing was more exciting than eating overnight pounded yam with Ogbono soup after the second day of ESI Dr. David Orbih categorizes AKOGHO into three types. Firstly, there is the white yam AKOGHO, made with ANEKEDESI, OBIAGOR, or INEKA, made like a miniature pounded yam on top of the main one used to appease the gods of yam during the ESI festival in the olden days. Secondly, there is the AKOGHO made with yellow yam, Onor, which hardly congeals and cannot be pressed within the palm to aid smooth passage down the stomach. Onor AKOGHO is the rarest of them all. Thirdly, there is EMHI NAWUAI, a blend of yam and garri, which is lighter and the healthiest option. While I applaud Dr. Orbih’s postulations, I believe there is a fourth type of AKOGHO made with Water yam, Obina. This type has a weak texture that melts easily and can hardly be eaten the next day. Despite the variations, we enjoyed them all during the ESI festival, except for Obina AKOGHO, which is always the last yam to be harvested during the dry season.
AKOGHO (Overnight pounded yam by Dr John Odior Anaweokhai Read More »
Victor Odogbo: A Musical Maestro and Culinary Connoisseur Early Life and Education Victor Inobemhe Odogbo was born on September 8th, 1980, in Jattu, to the family of John Anasaki Odogbo. He attended Azama Primary School in Jattu, Uzairue, Our Lady of Fatima in Auchi, and Ambrose Ali University in Ekpoma, Edo State, where he studied Political Science. Victor grew up with his parents in Jattu, where his father was a well-known transporter and his mother was a trader. Career and Passions Victor is a professional chef, musician, and social media influencer/content creator based in Oldenburg, Germany. He teaches cooking with fun and is the President/Convener of the Afemai Sons and Daughters (ASD) Initiative. The Afemai Sons and Daughters (ASD) Initiative The ASD Initiative is a vibrant platform that brings together individuals from the six Local Government Areas of Edo North, celebrating Afemai heritage and fostering connections, networking opportunities, and empowerment programs. Musical Journey Victor’s love affair with music began at a tender age in church and came from a family of notable musicians. He has released several music tracks, showcasing his talent and dedication to his craft. He officially dropped his first album in 2006. His dedication, passion, and talent for music continued even when he left Nigeria. Culinary Delights Victor is a skilled chef and teacher, having honed his culinary skills through years of experimentation and training. His passion for cooking is evident in the delicious dishes he creates. Personal Attributes Victor has many talents, but what sets him apart is his creativity, humility, kindness, and generosity. He is a true Ogbona ambassador, always willing to lend a helping hand. Victor is a visionary leader who listens deeply and empathizes with people in pain, maintaining deep focus and seeing what is hidden and hearing what is unsaid. He is also a humanitarian par excellence, philanthropist, and pacesetter, and he is selfless, humble, passionate, and enthusiastic, making him a role model to many. https://youtube.com/@victorinobemhe?si=W4eAY_TsuQIkjT1E Join Us in Celebrating Victor Odogbo As we celebrate Victor’s birthday and album launch, we invite you to join us in honoring this talented individual. Let us come together to appreciate his contributions to music, culinary arts, and our community.
Victor Odogbo: A Musical Maestro and Culinary Connoisseur Read More »
The New Yam Festival (Esi) in Ogbona/Avhianwu The Significance of the annual Esi festival This annual celebration is a time for the people of Ogbona/Avhianwu to show appreciation to God for His goodness and bountiful harvest at the end of every farming season. August marks the joyous celebration of Esi, the new yam festival, in the Ogbona Community. This grand event is akin to Christmas in its elaborate nature, filled with festivities and merriment! A Culinary Delight Savor the flavors of our traditional melon soup (egusi) and draw soup (ogbono or ogbolo), served with pounded yam. Yam is the star of the show, and its significance in Esi celebrations cannot be overstated – it’s considered taboo to celebrate without it! The Preparations The day before Esi, Evhia, is a busy time, ensuring everything is ready, especially the yams. The first day, Eomhi, features Ekeke soghosoghor as the main soup with pounded yam. The second day, Ewor, is a ceremonial day, with Omhi Akphe as the traditional soup, and a time to welcome visitors. 2024 Festival Dates The 2024 Ogbona Esi (New Yam) festival celebration will take place on August 25th and 26th, 2024, as directed by the community elders. Note: Part of this write-up was adapted from “Ogbona that Flows in My Veins” by Dr. John Anaweokhai.
The 2024 New Yam Festival (Esi) in Ogbona/Avhianwu Read More »
Biography of Jeremiah Irale Agbayekhai Jeremiah Irale Agbayekhai was a Nigerian entrepreneur, community leader, and devoted Christian from Ogbona, Edo State. He was born into a family of six children and was raised with strong values of responsibility, innovation, and principle. Jeremiah’s life was marked by his adventurous spirit, dedication to education, and commitment to community development. Jeremiah Irale Agbayekhai was born in 1911 in the quiet village of Ogbona, in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. His father, Agbayekhai, hailed from the Okhakia family of Ivhioche, while his mother, Elewho, belonged to the Osimerha family of Okotor quarters. As the first son and the fourth child in a family of six children four females and two males, Jeremiah was destined for responsibility from a young age. His siblings not in a particular order, included Abiba Ilegah, Esomekemhe Oluwe, Sametu Aikabeli, Zenebu Elizabeth Olumhekhor, and his younger brother, Johnson Enetomhe Agbayekhai. He was particularly close to his siblings, becoming a beacon of hope and guidance. As the first son, he was entrusted with significant responsibilities from a young age, a role he fulfilled with resilience, innovation, and unwavering principles. Early Life and Education Jeremiah’s adventurous and ambitious nature led him to leave home at a tender age, trekking from Ogbona to Onitsha and eventually settling in Port Harcourt. There, he learned to read and write, achieving a prestigious Standard Six education certificate, which later secured him a job with the Public Works Department (PWD) in Zaria, Northern Region, in 1935. This opportunity came through the assistance of a mutual friend, Pa. Aweneghiemhe of Agenebode. Career and Community Impact In Zaria, Jeremiah worked with the Water Works Department, where he was responsible for water distribution. His dedication and skill earned him a respectable managerial position in the company, providing not only for his family but also allowing him to support the education of his children. His home in Zaria became a bustling hub of hospitality, serving as a transit point for people traveling to the northern part of Nigeria from Etsako. His ability to maintain strong relationships, both within his family and community, made him a respected figure. He treasured relationships deeply, always ensuring that those around him were well taken care of, both in terms of material needs and emotional support. Jeremiah retired voluntarily in 1960 and returned to Ogbona, where he engaged in farming and entrepreneurship, demonstrating courage and vision during the Nigerian Civil War. His bosom friend, Mr. L.K. Ogedegbe, assisted him with a parcel of farmland. As an entrepreneur, he felt that the villagers needed good plates for their meals and other domestic uses. This spurred him into the business of kitchenware and plates to fill the gap. His entrepreneurial spirit continued during the Nigerian Civil War, as he made frequent trips to Onitsha to procure goods which increased to include provisions for his business, despite the risks posed by the war. Family Life and Values Jeremiah married Mary Anima Iyiemhe Okhamera, and their union was blessed in the Anglican Church in the late 1930s. He later took a second wife, Aluta Esue when retired and returned to Ogbona. The two wives lived harmoniously, sharing responsibilities and fostering a spirit of love and respect within the family. Their children, regardless of their mothers, were raised together, eating from the same plate and running errands in turn. This unity and discipline were hallmarks of Jeremiah’s household. He was a generous man to all, a disciplinarian, and a no-nonsense man. He never followed the crowd but stood for justice and truth when his younger brother Johnson, who worked as a railway Locomotive Pilot in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, passed away, Jeremiah took on the responsibility of educating Johnson’s children. He raised all the children under his care with strong values of industry, honesty, humility, and excellence, ensuring they imbibed these virtues. He enrolled them in highly-rated schools across the region. Community Leadership and Legacy Jeremiah was a key opinion molder in the Ogbona community, working alongside other notable figures such as Chief M.C.K. Orbih and Chief Nasamu Odior among other influential members of the community. His influence extended beyond his immediate environment, shaping opinions on development and entrepreneurship. Jeremiah’s commitment to education extended beyond his own family. He believed in the transformative power of education, particularly for young girls, who were often overlooked in society. He took bold steps and pioneered the training of girls in higher education in the Ogbona community, a radical move at the time, but one that laid the foundation for a brighter future for many, challenging the prevailing norms and risking much to secure their future. His actions sparked a revolution in the education sector of his community, leaving a lasting impact. A devoted Christian, Jeremiah believed in the power of prayers and always committed his activities to God before embarking on them, yielding fruitful results. He was deeply involved in the Anglican Church, helping in organizing harvest thanksgivings and the annual love feasts (Going to Galilee to meet Jesus) during Easter where families were encouraged to cook different delicacies to share in the spirit of love for community bounding and to foster unity among members for the development of the church. He introduced the attendance of outstation programs to Sabogida Ora in the community. Jeremiah’s legacy of ethical entrepreneurship, commitment to education, and community leadership continue to inspire generations. His life was a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and the importance of self-confidence in times of need and uncertainty. Jeremiah Irale Agbayekhai passed away in 1978 after a brief illness, leaving behind nine children, twelve of his late brother’s children, two wives, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. His name remains a symbol of industriousness, ethical conduct, and community service in Ogbona and beyond.
Biography of Jeremiah Irale Agbayekhai Read More »
Biography of Chief Bruno Igwemhor Aikabeli (The Igbevhomhe of Avianwu) Early Life and Education Chief Bruno Igwemhor Aikabeli was born on October 6th, 1943, to Pa Aikabeli Momoh and Madam Salametu Emariemhe Agbayekhai in Ivhiochie village, Ogbona sub-clan, Avianwu, Etsako Central LGA. He attended Etsako District Council School (EDC) from 1954 to 1959, where he received a one-year scholarship from Ogbona Progressive Union. He furthered his education at St Thomas Secondary Model School Agenegbode and St Andrew’s Anglican Model School in Fugar. Work Experience Chief Bruno’s career spanned various industries, including: – Ministry of Agriculture (1963) – Domestic servant for Canadian Expatriates (1964-1966) – MONIER (MCC) construction company (1966) – Petroleum dealership with Total Oil Nigeria (1972-1976) and British Petroleum (BP) (1976-1994) – Frozen foods business (1996-present) Community Roles Chief Bruno served in various capacities, including: – Assistant Secretary, Ogbona Aloagbaye Union Benin branch (1965-1966) – Treasurer, Ogbona Aloagbaye Union (1972-2003) – National Treasurer, Ogbona Aloagbaye Union (1989-2006) – Patron, Oboareke Social Club, Ibadan (ongoing) Motivation and Vision for Ogbona Chief Bruno’s love for Ogbona stems from the scholarship he received from an association in Ogbona. He instilled a deep love for the community in his children and grandchildren, frequently visiting with them. His vision is for a united and progressive Ogbona in all aspects of life. Passing Chief Bruno Igwemhor Aikabeli passed away on August 5, 2024, after a brief illness.
BIOGRAPHY OF CHIEF BRUNO IGWEMHOR AIKABELI (THE IGBEVHOMHE OF AVIANWU) Read More »
51 YEARS IN MIND: PA JOSEPH AKHANIAMHE ANAWEOKHAI, 1906-1973, THE FATHER I NEVER KNEW 24th July 1973 will remain a red-letter day in the annals of my existence as my father, Pa Joseph Akhaniamhe Anaweokhai, boarded the celestial plane to live among saints. For many years, I struggled without restraint, dug deep into the reveries of my inner being, plied ceaselessly through the recesses of my mental hub, stretched the elasticity of memory boundaries, all to catch a glimpse of his face, much as I strained my tiny earlobes daily, hoping to be jarred by his guttural voice, cleared my mind of cobwebs in readiness for fatherly admonitions, waited eagerly to fall into his warm embrace with my school report card, and to have my frayed nerves soothed by his coaxing fatherly counsel, of course, all to no avail. Yes, exercises in futility cum childish fantasies they were. The reality is that he is no more, and painfully so, I have since learned to live with that stark reality. That is not to say it was easy. It was by no means an easy task. Whenever we thumbed one another as children, some threatened to report me to their fathers. Did I have anyone to report to? Yes, my mother. However, such reiteration bred a bigger problem for me altogether. Namely, my father’s name became erased from my nomenclature and got replaced with my mother’s, ODIOR ABIKE, before my peers. No peer of mine knew my father’s name. My surname, Anaweokhai, did not help matters, as it completely obliterated his name from the equation. Humanly speaking, is there any height in life I could have attained but for his early exit? The answer is capital NO. I told a group of friends some time ago with a deep sense of responsibility that I owe my “success” in life to three factors: the grace of God, a solid family background, and a God-fearing/supportive wife. Pa Joseph Akhaniamhe Anaweokhai was a visionary father par excellence who saw beyond the limiting scope of his immediate environment. Very early in life, he migrated from his agrarian community of Ogbona to the commercial city of Onitsha to ply his trade in commodities and, to a great extent, accumulated both fortune and fame. He became a rallying point for his immediate and extended friends and family members. He also broadened his horizon beyond trading by keying into adult education, spurred by Onitsha market literature, and became literate enough to read and write, a no mean feat in the 1950s and 60s. Apart from helping to support his siblings’ children in their life endeavors, he ensured his children, Chief Vital Anaweokhai and Pst. Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru was exposed to Western education very early in their formative years too. A life-transforming investment whose benefits rubbed off on the younger ones later in life in no small measure. Pa Joseph was a nonconformist and disdainful iconoclast to the core. While girls were mostly seen as mere chattels and objects for producing children and, as such, undeserving of being wasted scarce resources on, Pa Joseph unapologetically broke with tradition and sent his only daughter, Pst. Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru, to school in the 1940s. Another lifetime investment that completely changed the family narrative. In a nutshell, Pa Joseph’s foresight had a trickle-down effect from Chief Vital Anaweokhai to my twin brother and me, the last born. If I didn’t have to struggle to pay my way through schools, from secondary school to postgraduate studies levels, it was because of the above foundation. If I made quick progress in business without any form of equivocation, it was strictly because of the said investment. On the appreciative page of my First Degree Project, I wrote, “My journey through the ivory tower like the fresh needle through a piece of cloth was so because my elder brother, Sir Romanus, and his wife, Lady Agnes Anaweokhai, said so.” If Sir Romanus saw farther than most men in all spheres of life, it was by standing on the shoulder of Pst. Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru, and if Pst. Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru was able to raise her younger ones, it was based on the sacrifice Chief Vital Anaweokhai made to see her through school. Dad, wherever you may be, I feel proud to have come into this world through your loins. If I have to come back to this world again and I am given a choice in the matter, I won’t hesitate a hoot to come here through your loins and, of course, to leverage your good legacy. Eramhe No’khai, the family has expanded beyond what you would have imagined and is blessed with good health, long life, and all-round blessings. Your first son, Chief Vital, will be 89 years old in October. A lot of grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been added to the family. Your only daughter, Pst. Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru, is now a great-grandmother, thus extending the bloodline. Sir Romanus, Adolphus, Omo, and my humble self have lived a humble and peaceful life devoid of criminality. The seed of Christianity planted in the family by your elder brother, Pa Cletus Eshiemhomo Anaweokhai, which you helped him to nurture, has grown to produce Rev. Fathers and Pastors. Your venture into business in the early 30s has snowballed into limited liability companies. Writing this piece without your attached picture is one of the most hollowing and disappointing experiences I have had in recent times. The stories are the same: “When I relocated to my new place, I misplaced them.” The good thing is that all the sources have promised to swing into action and make them available in no distant time. Continue to rest in peace, Dad. We miss you daily. Dr.John Odior Anaweokhai (Your Grown Banana Sucker)
Happy 78th to Pastor Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Ogbona Elites Forum!! May this special day be filled with joy, love, and celebration. May her life continue to be blessed with purpose, wisdom, and happiness. Thank you for your exceptional leadership and dedication. Wishing her a fantastic year ahead! Happy 78th birthday to an extraordinary woman, a loving mother figure, and a shining example of grace and strength, Pst. Mrs Julie O Inu Umoru. Your unwavering support and guidance have been a beacon of hope and inspiration in my life. I’m forever grateful for the love, wisdom, and encouragement you’ve shared with me over the years. May this milestone birthday be celebrated with joy, love, and cherished moments. You deserve all the happiness and blessings life has to offer. Thank you for being a constant source of comfort, wisdom, and love in my life. Many happy returns of the day, Cheers
IN MEMORY OF OKAKU ( Chief MCK Orbih) Dr.John Odior Anaweokhai: As little children growing up in Ogbona, we never knew that our generic nomenclature of Avhianwu was not used exclusively to describe Fugar people. Oftentimes, one would hear someone saying he was going to Avhianwu, it was later we were made to understand the true position of things but I doubt if much has changed in practice. Ivhiarua and Ivhinone as descriptive entities, have been swallowed by FUGAR. As children, one could not describe the healthiness of the relationship between Ogbona and Fugar. That of Iraokhor was more cordial and mutual, probably because of the proximity but I doubt if the average Fugarian reciprocated symmetrically, the same level of respect we accorded them. There was this unequal rivalry between Ogbona and Fugar. Unequal in terms of size and presence of social amenities. They had pipe-borne water, A grammar school, an Old government residential Area, and later, Fugar City Hotel and Nazareth Hospital. Matters were not helped when Fugar was connected to the national grid in 1986 to the exclusion of Ogbona. There was another factor that seemed to count in their favour, The Oghie Avhianwu of Avhianwu, Chief Alao, was from Fugar. We erroneously conceded the position to them permanently until we were made to understand that it is rotative among the four villages that make up the Avhianwu clan. Chief Alao was surrounded by a lot of powerful personalities like Chief Steve Obaze, Chief Philip Okhumhale, Chief Emmanuel Ugheoke, Chief Anthony Opitoke, and a host of others. In 2000, I was with my cousin, Jude Anaweokhai in Lagos when a boy from Fugar came to visit him. He told us that but for Chief MCK Orbih, they would have permanently, pocketed the position of the Oghie Avhianwu of Avhianwu and I asked him how, he told us that after the death of Chief Alao, all the big guns in Avhianwu met with the sole objective of having the position of the Oghie Avhianwu of Avhianwu reside in Fugar permanently. They were ready to deplore all their resources to achieve the objective but Chief Orbih knew what they did not know. It was discovered that in the early 60s, Chief Orbih caused The EDIOR NE’JIE in Avhianwu to come together and sign a document on how the position of The Oghie Avhianwu of Avhianwu is rotated among the four villages. When the Fugar big guns heard this shocker, they went to Chief Itsueli and he confirmed their fears. On legal grounds, the document could not be challenged because it was over 20 years old, a killer piece of evidence in litigation, it was. Perhaps, Chief Orbih foresaw the direction of things about 30 years earlier having leveraged his political experience. But for his vision, perhaps another senseless and endless litigation would have ensured in Avhianwu. Though his impact was felt most in the political scene which he bestrode like a colossus, he also made his presence felt in the academic world too. A lot of Ogbona sons and daughters passed under his tutelage as a teacher and Headmaster. He was still the headmaster of St. John’s Primary School, Ogbona when he ventured into politics. He was said to combine teaching, his first love with politics. In 1953, at the beginning of formal politics in Nigeria in the real sense of it, Chief MCK Orbih contested and won against Eramha Agunu Akhigbe from Ivhiochie to represent Avhianwu ward at the Local Council Authority as councilor. In 1959, he also won the election to the National House of Representatives in Lagos. The election was said to be keenly contested against Mr. G.M Udochi. Chief Orbih was said to have campaigned with a Pamphlet titled “MY ANSWER TO THE MAN AWAY FROM HOME”. In 1979, he also contested again under NPN but lost. Whatever he lost in that election, was compensated for as Chairman, Governing Board of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The above journey, no doubt prepared him for the task ahead and put him in a vantage position to contribute his quota to the development of our community. As a member of the National Assembly From 1958 to 1962, Ogbona was confronted with two knotting problems, that of water and the absence of a maternity home which had remained insoluble from time immemorial. 1962, Chief Orbih brought a company manned by an Israeli who had poor command of English, to dig a borehole in Ogbona. The open space beside the Asekhauno family house was chosen as the site for the borehole. The Israeli engineer was said to be fond of commanding people to COME HERE with assented English, before you knew it, the man became known as COMEHEEH. Unfortunately, the exercise was futile due to poor geophysical survey and in the end, it was concluded Ogbona was too hilly and such, had no water underneath. That unfortunate and mendacious conclusion, according to Chief Dan Osi Orbih, spurred his effort to look for water inside Ogbona with superior technology and he succeeded with two boreholes within Ogbona town. The second problem of ante-natal care was confronted head-on as Chief MCK Orbih brought the first maternity home to Ogbona and yours sincerely and his twin brother were delivered there. If Chief Orbih is still well remembered today, it’s because of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Comprehensive Health Centre at Ogbona that has been named after him. It was one government presence that changed the socio-economic narrative of Ogbona. Apart from the Post Office, it is arguably the only federal government presence in Ogbona. According to the Vice President of Ogbona Elites Forum, Mr. Bernard Kassim Ikhane, as the Chairman of the Governing Board of UBTH, Chief MCK Orbih brought 14 employment letters to Ogbona and without any serious interview, Ogbona indigenes, including himself were given automatic employment in UBTH. Some of the employees relocated to Ogbona as soon as the Ogbona health centre was opened where they worked and
IN MEMORY OF OKAKU ( Chief MCK Orbih) by Dr.John Odior Anaweokhai Read More »
To unite all the elites of Ogbona extraction in any part of the world regardless of one’s ideological stand on issues that bother on politics, religion, profession, taste etc. to cross fertilize ideas on how to move Ogbona community forward
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