Footprints of Ogbona Sons and Daughters

FOOTPRINTS OF OGBONA SONS AND DAUGHTERS 1 First secondary school graduate: Mr. ABC Anaweokhai who finished from Africa College, Onitsha in 1949. Anthony Bartholomew Chiata Anaweokhai, popularly known as Mr. ABC was born on the 4th of April 1929 to the Catholic family of Cletus Anaweokhai.  ABC attended African College Onitsha for his secondary education. He finish in 1949, and got a job with Leventis stores in Port Harcourt as an accountant.  ABC Anaweokhai was an honest man who prided integrity above anything else.  He was an active member of Ogbona meeting in all the places he worked. He helped to unite then divided Ogbona meeting in Kaduna in the late 1970s. 2 First Catholic Reverend Father: Rev Father Dominic Azagbo: Fr. Dominic Azagbor holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Italy, and a bachelor of arts from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. Rev. Fr. Dominic Azagbor professed his vows to the Order in 1988 and served in a variety of capacities at parishes in Nigeria and Ghana before being ordained to the priesthood in April of 2000. From 2002 to 2005, he served as assistant chaplain at the University of Ife, located in the Diocese of Oshogbo, Nigeria. From 2005 to 2009, he served as associate pastor at St. Jude Catholic Church in Mafoluku, part of the Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria. In 2010, Fr. Azagbor arrived in the United States and was assigned as chaplain to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania and he is currently located in Maine 3 First Pentecostal Bishop: Bishop Anthony Anyiador (Pentecostal). He pastored many churches in Benin City, Lagos, and other parts of Nigeria. He was consecrated in the Church of God Mission on 10th November 2001.  Anthony Anyiador is now the presiding bishop of Kingdom Connection Ministries, a network of churches in Nigeria with headquarter in Abuja. He is the first ordained bishop from Ogbona community. 4 First geologist: Gilbert Erelumhe Odior. Holds a B. S. and M. S. Degree in Geology from the University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Nigeria. An accomplished Geologist of over 34 years of proven successes in finding, developing and producing hydrocarbons in offshore Nigeria basin as well as in the Gulf of Mexico. Past President and Fellow of Nigeria Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Member of American association petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and Past President AAPG-Africa Region (2012-2014), Nigerian Mining and Geoscience Society (NMGS), Certified professional Geologist by COMEG and AAPG and active in local organizations and Social Clubs 5 First Major Politician from Ogbona: M.C.K Orbih. First elected in 1954 as one of the pioneer councilors of the Etsako District Council in the first democratically elected Local Government as a fore runner of Nigeria Political independence granted in 1960. He was appointed a member of the Western Region Advisory Board on Education during the period of self-government that culminated in the end of the colonial administration from 1956 — 1959. Chief M.C.K. Orbih became one of the pioneer legislators in the newly independent Nigeria when he was elected as the member representing Afenmai East in the Federal House of Representatives from 12 December 1959 to 12 December 1964. 6 First state Commissioner from Ogbona: George Enetomeh Uwaya In 1994-1996, was appointed Commissioner for Education Edo State, 1996-1997 Commissioner Special Duties Edo State. George obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography from the University of Ibadan. He thereafter proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Education. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Geography from the University of Benin. During his carrier he was appointed Education Officer in the Ministry of Education North Western State from 1971 to 1975, Head Geography Department, College of Education Minna, Niger State from 1976 to 1991, and Examiner for West African Examination Council in 1986, Dean School of Art and Social Science 1991, Chairman Committee of Deans College of Education 1991. Late George Enetomeh Uwaya died on the 30th of January 1999. He Survived by wife and Six Children. 7 Commissioned Regular combatant Officer (military): Major Francis Atsegwasi followed by Lt Comdr. Emalumhe in the Navy. Major Francis Aigbona Atsegwasi (Rtd) was the first military officer from Ogbona to obtain a commission from the Nigerian Defense Academy, then the highest military institution in Nigeria. He was the Chairman of the then Care-taker committee of Etsako Central Local Government Area (2002-2003) 8 First Permanent Secretary, Director or Head of Government Parastatal: Chief T. A. Osigbemhe, Principal, Edo College, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education in Bendel State. Chief T.A Osigbemhe (nicknamed FLAMES), Principal Edo College from March 1973 to September 1977. At Edo Co1lege he revived discipline staff and students and maintenance of high academic standard in the face of dwindling resources of the period. Chief Inspector of education of all schools in the Unified Teaching Service Board. Sole Administrator/Chief Executive officer of Bendel State Health Services Management Board 1978 -1980. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education on 21st November, 1980, even though he was one of the most junior officers among the Chief Inspectors of Education in the Ministry. Retired voluntarily on 17th January 1984, after 38 years in the Education Industry of Bendel State. Chief Osigbemhe was called upon by the Ogbona community to take up position of the Head of the Village – OKPHE·UKPI OF OGBONA in August 1994 9 Dr. Besiru Idode, Director General in the Public Service of Bendel state now Edo and Delta states. He was a Director General Ministry of Budget and Planning, Director General (DG) at the Directorate for Food Roads and Rural Infrastructure. (DFFRI and Sole Administrator Ika Local Government Authority, Agbor. 10 First Lawyer: Barr Ekhasemomhe: He gained admission to the Present day Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife in 1970 and studied law and graduated in 1973.He went to the Nigerian Law School and was called to bar in June, 1974. Bar. Thomas Ekhasemomhe did his mandatory National Youth Service Corp program in the old Benue Plateau State from 1974 to 1975.