THE ESHIESIMUA FAMILY HISTORY BY LINUS IKHIANOSIMHE ESHIESIMUA
THE ESHIESIMUA FAMILY HISTORY BY LINUS IKHIANOSIMHE ESHIESIMUA The family history is passed down through oral tradition. It’s a fascinating account of the Eshiesimua family’s ancestry, struggles, and achievements. The story spans multiple generations, highlighting the lives and contributions of key family members. The Ancestors: Chief Akpabeghie from Ivhioverah was one of the descendants of Imhakhena, an Ukpi title holder in Ogbona His lineage now constitutes what is known as Akpabeghie Village in Okotor, Ogbona. Eshiesimua: The Patriarch: Eshiesimua grew up and became a successful farmer and a hunter. He was the father of Chief Emhorughu, Saliu (Imekieli), Chief Itsedi, and Itsado. Eshiesimua was known for his hard work as a farmer, instilling in his children the values of diligence, the dignity of labour, and the traditional religion of that time. The Children of Eshiesimua Emhorughu Eshiesimua: Emhorughu was a powerful giant man who was dreaded in wrestling and battles. Emhorughu became wealthy as a farmer and a trader in commodities and textiles. He built one of the first storey buildings in Ogbona at a time when very few families could boast of such a structure Saliu (Imekieli) Eshiesimua: Mr. Saliu (Imekieli) was of average height and became popular due to his handcrafts as a blacksmith and bicycle repairer. He was a hardworking man and a devoted Catholic Chief Itsedi Eshiesimua: Chief Itsedi was the last born of Imeya, the first wife of Eshiesimua. As a successful farmer and textile trader, Itsedi conducted business as far as Lagos, Onitsha, Sapele, and various neighboring markets in Etsako. Itsado Eshiesimua: Mr. Itsado Eshiesimua, born on the 28th of October 1932, was popularly known as Ado Ekiti. Itsado was a successful trader in provisions and household goods and later joined the services of UBTH Ogbona as a horticulturalist, Upon retirement he returned to his first love, business, and registered Sado Cement Ventures and he became a notable cement dealer in Ogbona. THE ESHIESIMUA FAMILY HISTORY BY LINUS IKHIANOSIMHE ESHIESIMUA The following is an oral tradition that has been passed down through generations. Chief Akpabeghie, from Ivhioverah, was a descendant of Imhakhena, who once held the Ukpi title, known as Okphe-Ukpi, in Ogbona. His lineage now constitutes what is known as Akpabeghie Village in Okotor, Ogbona. Chief Akpabeghie had three children: Umosoh, Emhokidi, and Odalumhe. Odalumhe was the father of the late Chief Odalumhe, who worked as a Mechanical Engineer at the Nigeria Railway Corporation during the colonial era and later retired. Umosoh gave birth to three children: Orbo, Ovini, and Inobemhe. Ovini has two children: Ilegah and Inwumho. Orbo is the father of Eshiesimua, regarded as the progenitor of the family’s modern generation. Eshiesimua grew up to become a successful farmer and hunter. He was the father of Chief Emhorughu, Saliu (also known as Imekieli), Chief Itsedi, and Itsado, as well as a daughter named Titi. Eshiesimua was known for his hard work as a farmer, instilling in his children the values of diligence, the dignity of labour, and the traditional religion of that time. Eshiesimua married three women. His first wife, Imeyah from the Abinokhauno family in Iraokhor, gave birth to four children: Emhorughu, Saliu (also known as Imekieli), Titi, and Itsedi, who was the youngest. His second wife, Mrs. Agbamhe from the Anabor family, had three children: Asana, Itsado, and Okpokpo. The third wife was Iyawo from Weppa-Wanno, and she gave birth to two children: Omosi and Imemu. Imemu later married Apemheye and they had a son named Mr. Blacky Asekomhe. Belonging to the Akpabeghie dynasty, Eshiesimua became renowned and is now regarded as the family’s patriarch. To this day, the name Eshiesimua is well known throughout Ogbona and neighboring communities. Emhorughu, the eldest son of Eshiesimua, was a giant of a man, feared for his prowess in wrestling and battles. He often fought single-handedly against entire families, and no one could withstand his ferocious strength. According to my late father, Chief Itsedi, there was an incident where Emhorughu fought someone, and the person ran home crying. When his brother noticed his distress, Emhorughu took his anger to the other family’s home, causing everyone inside to flee in fear when they saw him approach. Emhorughu became very wealthy as a farmer and a trader in commodities and textiles. He built one of the first storey buildings in Ogbona at a time when very few families could boast of such a structure. Families like the Ighiegwe, Omadimhe, Ikhanoba, Itsuokor, Anabor, Orbih, Akaka, Asekomhe, Anetekhai, Inaede, Eghieye, Solomon Aruokhai, Okhamera and Omhoghie Ugbodaga and Ikhane were among the few who could also claim to have a storey building in those days. In 1955, following an agreement that a well-educated individual should be appointed as the Okphe-Ukpi of Ogbona, Emhorughu rode his bicycle to Ibie-Imiegba to bring Oboarekpe, who was then a teacher, to be installed in that position. Emhorughu had many wives, which was a privilege afforded to people of means at the time. He had numerous children, including Inyia, Aleghe, Okpo, and Sunday, who was a soldier, among others. Emorughu’s life was short-lived; he passed away in 1962 after a brief illness. Another son of Eshiesimua was Mr. Saliu (Imekieli). He was of average height and became well-known for his craftsmanship as a blacksmith and bicycle repairer. He was a hardworking man and a devoted Catholic. It was with him that I first attended church, specifically St. John’s Catholic Church in Ogbona. One could not take away his sense of humor; he was also quite talkative. He married Miss Mary, née Oyati, from Iraokhor, and together they had many children, one of whom, Peter, later became a headteacher in Ogbona. Chief Itsedi was the youngest son of Imeya, the first wife of Eshiesimua. He grew up as the cherished pet of his family, particularly his elder brother, Emhorughu, whom he idolized until Emhorughu’s death. Under his brother’s protection and guidance, Itsedi developed into a hardworking man who loved people and despised oppression, both towards himself and others. As a successful farmer
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