ECHOES OF A FALLEN HERO, CHIEF WILLY IDODE
A Great Farewell to Late Chief Willy Idode, Okphe Ukpi and Head of Ogbona Sub Clan (1959- 2022)
It was a life so beautifully lived to promote humanity to be beautifully remembered. His life was an example of a King who was after the growth of his People.
The Memories of the Late Chief William Uloko Idode, the immediate past Okphe Ukpi and Sub Clan Head of Ogbona will be remembered as a result of his indelible mark in the lives of the people of Ogbona Community.
The Final burial ceremony of Late Chief Willy Idode indeed, showcased the success story of a selfless king whose reign attracted peace, unity and progress to the indigenous people of Ogbona Community.
Late Chief Willy Idode was a strong pillar of the arts, Culture and tradition of the people of Ogbona Community. Indeed, the Black Race has lost a Titan in the person of HRH William Idode.
Born on 4th April, 1959 to the Family of Mr. Momodu Ojakpa Idode and Mrs Lametu Amiunomhene Idogho both of Ivhiobore Quarter of Ogbona.
He was a Peace Loving King and a Beacon of hope to those who came around him and his contributions to humanity were highly acclaimed. He was a Unifer and an Ambassador of Peace and harmony. He died at a time his Fatherly advice was most needed by the People of Ogbona Community.
There is no doubt about the fact that the final burial ceremony was remarkable in the memories of the people of the community who came out enmasse in honour of the deceased whose positive footprints in the community would stand the test of time.
Expectedly, the Final burial Ceremony of Late Chief Willy Idode was an opportunity for reunion by Family members, Friends, Well Wishers and Schoolmates of the Late King who came to pay the last respect to the King in view of the tremendous achievements and growth under the rulership of Late Willy Idode. He was able to restore orderliness and peace in the community as a result of his exemplary leadership qualities that has endeared him to the heart of the people of the community.
Guests at the ceremony that took place on 23rd December, 2023 at the Ogbona Secondary School Field, Ogbona, were treated to a lavish reception with a renowned Music Legend, King Benji Igbadumhe trilling the Visitors with melodious numbers that touched the Soul.
Late Chief Willy Idode was an exceptional traditional Ruler of inestimable value and a God-fearing Man whose death till date has created a huge vacuum in the community and whose role in uniting and strengthening the community would be greatly missed.
Extolling the rare qualities of his father, the Son of the Deceased Mr. Aloaye Idode in his tribute, described his father as an exceptional man, a great father, a role model and a true symbol of a man who contributed his quota selflessness to the growth of the family, community and humanity.
According to Aloaye, the Deceased was an hardworking man, a Disciplinarian, a God-fearing man, an Exemplar and a resourceful man whose valuable services would be greatly missed.
His World rolled along like a song. The deceased was an effective and compassionate Ruler and a pragmatic Christian who would be remembered for his legacies and contributions to mankind.
Chief Idode stood on the truth to administer justice to all irrespective of one’s age, political, economic, social and academic status without fear or favour. He was never afraid to speak the truth regardless the parties involved.
His love for Ogbona community was without rival. His influence was in every aspect of the community, primary and secondary education, scholarships for the indigents and proper running of the schools including recruiting teachers. He touched the medical institution, Markets, Security, governance and peace in the community.
His reign brought about the abrogation of some cultural practices of gender discrimination against women especially on matters of inheritances and the transformation of the annual New Yam Festival into an occasion of sharing with the needy and community annual day of thanksgiving.
Late Chief Willy Idode died at the age of 63 years. He is survived by three Wives and Five Children and three Great Grand Children
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ADDRESS PRESENTED BY HRH WILLY IDODE (THE OKPHE UKPI OF OGBONA) ON OFFICIAL HANDOVER OF OUR MARKET TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, APRIL 12TH, 2019
It is with joy mixed with a little sadness that I welcome you all to this occasion which marks the official handover of our market project to the Etsako Central Local Government Council. Ordinarily, our joy today should be boundless. We appear to be the last community on this highway to establish a market close to it.
Let me give a historical background. This Auchi Agenebode road was constructed and made motorable about 1976. We had expected that it would go through Ogbona town but unfortunately, as it seemed at the time, it bypassed the town. As it is with roads everywhere, our people soon started experiencing disadvantages. Vehicular traffic through the town was greatly reduced so much so that our people were dropped on the road to trek to their houses.
Our only market was also affected as commercial vehicle drivers would no longer ply the dilapidated township roads. It was at this point that there was an attempt to move the market close to the highway or building a new one. Disagreement, mainly associated with the politics of traditional hierarchy, set in. The attendant delay caused by this disagreement is regrettable. But as we usually say, it is better late than never.
It was, however, in 2009 that our community commenced work on the construction of this market with the active and generous assistance of the Local Government Administration of Hon. Joseph Ugheoke. We are grateful to him for coming to our assistance.
As we hand this market with ………open market stalls over to the Local Government Council today, we declare it as work in progress. We expect and appeal to the Local Government Council to expand it. As with other communities which suffered same fate with the construction of this highway, we appeal to the council chairman, as a matter of urgency to put speed breakers along the high way to help to control the speed of vehicles around the market
Our Comrade Chairman, destiny, fate and perhaps our ancestors may have conspired to ensure that it is during your administration that this Ogbona main market is being handed over to the council. We urge the council to take full control of it, manage it to the mutual benefit of the government, the indigenes and all those who buy and sell here. We congratulate you and wish you a very successful tenure.
Thank you all.
CHIEF WILLIAM IDODE
OKPHE-UKPI (SUB-CLAN HEAD) OF OGBONA
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A WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE OKPHE UKPI OF OGBONA, CHIEF WILLY ULOKO IDODE TO OGBONA FEDERATED UNION, ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE
Date: Saturday 15th April 2017, Place: Ogbona Town Hall
The meeting started at 10.15am with prayer said by Chief Obadele Ogboalo. The President, Mr. Gregory Enegwea welcomed the Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona, Chief Willy Uloko Idode and his Palace chiefs, all members and delegates to the conference. He thanked God for journey mercies granted to all. He further informed the house that Mr. Gilbert Odior is going to give a presentation about the Origin, Structure and Activities of Ogbona Elites Forum, while Abaye Igbadumhe will talk to the students about the importance of learning a trade along with their studies.
The president called on the Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona, Chief Willy Uloko Idode to address the conference. He welcomed all members and delegates to the conference. He appreciated the contributions of the Ogbona Youth Forum and Ogbona Elites Forum and the contributions to the community. He urged the OFU as the parent body to carry along/embrace the OYF as they have some development projects they want to embark on. He believes that a combined efforts will yield better results for the community. He thanked the Ogbona Elites Forum for helping with the shortage of teachers at the Ogbona secondary school and currently the schools has more teachers than any school in the LGA.
Other Areas Covered by the Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona
He informed the house that the Ogbona Youth Forum promised to renovate their existing Corpers lodge and build additional rooms to accommodate more Corpers.
He advised parents to always monitor their children or wards when they are home on vacation from schools to avoid mixing with bad gangs/cultists.
He reported on the relative peace in the community and the police rarely have to arrest anyone.
Because he does not always want to disturb the Ogbona indigenes in diaspora for the development of the community, they have asked those at home to be paying some levies towards the community development. Men will pay N1.000 each while the women will pay N500 each. The money is being collected by members of the various age groups for the development of the community.
Relationship between Ogbona and Imiava, our neighbouring community is very cordial and they now exchange regular visits to help overcome the past issues and forestall future ones, however, there are some occasional frictions that are mainly attributable to our people.
He informed the house the Avhianwu clan rulers decided to create some more villages and each sub-clan was advised not to create more than 8-9 villages. At Ogbona, 8 villages were created with Akpagi as head with the Ikhaemhos in each village reporting to the Akpagi. Ivhiochie and Okotor have 3 villages/Akpagi each, while Ivhido and Ivhiorevho have one village/Akpagi each. An Akpagi now handle all issues in any quarters that the Ikhaemhos cannot handle and is only issues that the Akpagi cannot handle in their quarter that now come up to the Okphe Ukpi’s palace
He thanked the OYF for their efforts at resolving the OFU Lagos branch issue and enjoin the Lagos branch to forget about issues and come together for the sake of our Community.
He told the conference that, they have made some revisions to the marriage list that was earlier published. It now includes a certificate for N1, 000 and the eldest man now gets N2,000. However, the Avhianwu clan has made a new list which now supersede that of the various sub-clans list. He will publish it as soon as it is finalized. He also said the payments during any marriage is dictated by the family and there shouldn’t be so much complains about the list as it is among the lowest in our state
He reported the progress on the Esso sponsored building at Ogbona Secondary School. He reported that when completed, it will be the best school building the whole of Edo State
He also reported on the federal government school and how he has being following up on it. He told the conference that NDDC has it in their budget to do the civil works within the school and the roads leading to the school.
The Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona wished the house a fruitful deliberation and requested the house to excuse him to go and attend to other issues or engagements.
There was a huge applause for the Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona by the whole house as he did not speak from a prepared speech rather he talked to the house from his heart. The OFU president thanked him for his presence and his eloquent speech.
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AN ADDRES PRESENTED BY THE OKPHE-UKPI OF OGBONA ON THE OCCASSION OF FREE MEDICAL EXERCISE SPONSORED BY DR. BEN ITSUOKOR (ITSUOKOR FOUNDATION) AND OGBONA ELITES FORUM ON THE 1ST DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2018.
The Chairman (Etsako Central Local Government Council),
The Chief Medical Director, (UBTH),
The Traditional Chiefs,
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Ogbona Elites Forum, Officials and members,
All Medical Doctors and Nurses here present,
Members of the Press,
Ladies and gentlemen.
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this very unique occasion of the commencement of free medical treatment for our people. This is the first time an indigene, women and men of this community, has facilitated such a laudable and people focused project along with modern equipment donation. We, therefore, specially thank Dr. Benedict Itsuokor on behalf of Itsuokor Foundation and Ogbona Elites Forum for bringing quality health care delivery to the very door steps of our people. We also appreciate and welcome members of the medical teams (foreign and local) who have set aside other numerous highly rewarding engagements to visit our local community.
Let me specially thank Dr. Benedict Itsuokor and his friends for the donation of medical equipment to this Health Center, which we understand to be the newest in the market. This equipment will go a long way to help our people in their Health challenges. We surrender you to the hands of Almighty God for blessings and protection.
I will also like to thank Dr. Paulinus Abu who led his team of doctors and other medical staff from the University of Makurdi Teaching Hospital and all our others sons and daughters from across the whole country, Nigeria. Finally thank you to all our friends who have supported this program financially.
Lastly, let me thank Catherine Asapokhai-Utsalo and Christopher Asapokhai for organizing Basic/Advance Cardiac Life Support for the Doctors and Nurses working in our hospital and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for 30 none Clinical Staff including those not working in the hospital.
Let me put it on record that in an era when Nigerians travel abroad for medical attention at prohibitive cost, our people have been afforded the opportunity of receiving the same quality of attention here in their home and at no cost whatsoever. We are indeed grateful to our Ogbona Elites Forum and the medical team for focusing attention on the treatment of the very serious ailments common in this area. These include Eye problems, Cataracts, Typhoid, Malaria, Hypertension, Diabetes, Pneumonia, women and children related illnesses.
On the part of our people, I urge them not to hide their illnesses, no matter how private they may consider them but to come out to be treated free of charge. The success of this exercise will be measured by the number of people this team is able to see and attend to. I also advise our people to conduct themselves in an orderly and peaceful manner throughout the duration of this exercise.
As a community with constituted traditional authority, we pledge, in collaboration with the local government council, a conducive atmosphere to enable the team enjoy their stay with us.
I cannot end this address without thanking the Council Chairman, Comrade John Osi Akhigbe for his wonderful interest and his support for the projects in Ogbona, the CMD of UBTH for always hacking to our requests, MCK Health Center Staff and all our other guests and supporters of this medical mission. God will always remember you. Thank you very much.
Let me conclude my remarks by saying that the very commendable philanthropic gesture of our people in facilitating this free medical mission is worthy of emulation by other sons and daughters of this community. The development of our community is as important as the health and wellbeing of the people. We are ready, as always, to appreciate any effort by our people to develop the community to the benefit of all of us.
On behalf of Ogbona people, at home and abroad, and indeed, all those who are set to benefit from the kindness extended to us by this medical team, I thank Ogbona Elites Forum and congratulations for a successful mission.
HRH CHIEF WILLIAMS IDODE
OKPHE-UKPI OF OGBONA
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His Royal Highness Chief Willy Idode, welcome address at school building and gate/fence projects handing over to Edo State Government, December 27, 2021
Protocols
Today is yet another epoch-making one in our recent history as a community. I am not surprisingly elated, therefore, welcoming your excellency and other honourable and distinguished guests to this ceremony.
As you may already know, two very important projects which are key to the educational development of our community and the advancement of academic pursuit of our children and wards in Ogbona Secondary School are being handed over to the Edo State Government:
1. One-kilometre long perimeter fencing and ambience gate undertaken by the Old Students of Class 1993, and
2. A Block of 15 classrooms; a Reading Room; Principal and Vice Principal’s offices; Staff Common room; 3 Science labs; an ICT Centre furnished with (student desks/Teachers tables/chairs, Lab equipment, Computers/ accessories), Generator House, Generator, Power Supply, and a borehole and 20 toilets.
Your excellency, distinguished guests, we are here today because of the benevolence of our children who have pulled their personal resources as well as contacts together for the benefit of the younger generation and the community.
On behalf of the elders, leaders and people of Ogbona community, I heartily appreciate these donations. Let me thank in a very special way, our young men and women whose love for the education of our children manifested in the attraction of these projects.
Your excellency sir, as these projects are being handed over to the state government today, they form part of the community’s assistance we have always rendered to relevant authorities for the wellbeing of our people.
We are, therefore, appealing to our very forward looking governor and our dynamic, project-loving deputy governor to graciously accept the challenge of putting these projects to profitable use. First, this school requires adequate number of teachers in all subject areas as well as books and other learning materials for the library and laboratories. I will not like to mention here what presently obtains in the school. We would ask the government to give consideration to designating this World Class Computer Center as Edo State ICT Training Institute as it is bigger and better than the ICT Centre the Federal Government has just provided in one secondary school in Owan West Local Government Area.
As we all know, a perimeter fence in a school is good and useful for security but it also requires personnel for effective and purposeful maintenance of security. We, therefore, solicit the assistance of government in providing adequate security for the school infrastructure and facilities. On our part, we are ready to partner with this government in the development and improvement of critical infrastructures and services necessary to enhance the welfare, security and wellbeing of our people.
Your excellency, sir, while we look forward to having these projects being put to profitable use as soon as possible, we assure this government of our support at all times. We wish your entourage a safe journey back to Benin City. To all our distinguished guests we wish you all a merry christmas in advance.
Thank you and God Bless.
HRH Chief Willy Idode
Opkhe-Ukpi of Ogbona SubClan
Dec. 2021
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Ogbona Medical Outreach2 – Welcome address by HRH Willy Idode
Okphe-Ukpi Of Ogbona Sub-Clan.
It is with utmost joy and appreciation that I welcome you all to the 2nd free medical healthcare programme here in Ogbona. I particularly wish to commend the sponsors as well as the facilitator of this programme, our son, Gilbert Odior, for being a worthy ambassador of Ogbona, and Avhianwu as a whole.
It is important to note that a large number of our people who otherwise could not afford expensive Medicare, took advantage of the first programme to regain good health. The programme saved so many lives for which we are grateful.
This year, it is also our expectation that our people, resident here and elsewhere, will avail themselves this opportunity to be treated for various ailments. People must not hide their health challenges till their conditions become worse.
I, therefore, appeal to all those who are presently inflicted with one ailment or the other, to willingly come forward to be treated.
I assure the medical team of our support and cooperation towards ensuring a successful stay with us. It is common knowledge that doctors treat but God heals. Therefore, it is our prayer that the almighty God will continue to bless the work of our doctors. As they treat others, we ask God to make available all the grace and mercy they need in their own lives.
I wish us all continued good health. God bless us.
Thank you.
HRH Willy Idode
Okphe-Ukpi Of Ogbona Sub-Clan.
The memories of the late Chief William Uloko Idode, the immediate past Okphe Ukpi and Sub-Clan Head of Ogbona, will endure for the indelible mark he left on the lives of the people of Ogbona Community. A selfless king, his reign brought peace, unity, and progress to the people of Ogbona.
Chief William Uloko Idode was the kind of leader every community hopes for—the glue that holds the social fabric together while still pushing the boundaries of progress. His legacy as Okphe Ukpi and Sub-Clan Head was firmly rooted in three pillars worth celebrating:
1. Peace as a Foundation: In many communities, leadership is tested by conflict. The fact that his reign was characterized by peace shows that he was a skilled diplomat and a fair arbiter of justice.
2. Unity of Purpose: Moving a community forward requires everyone to pull in the same direction. He consistently put the needs of Ogbona above personal or political gain, fostering a strong sense of collective purpose.
3.Tangible Progress: Whether in infrastructure, education, or social development, his “indelible mark” is visible in the concrete improvements that transformed daily life in Ogbona—changes that did not exist before his time.
4. Visionary Leadership and Inclusive Consultation: His vision, strategic planning, and constant consultation with all sons and daughters of the community opened up many opportunities and paved the way for lasting development in Ogbona.
