| 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. He began his legal carrier in Kaduna State under Dr. F Oguntoye’s Chambers from 1975 to December, 1977 and attached himself to Aluko Olokun Chambers from 1978 to June, 1979. In July 1979, he established his Freedom in Kaduna State |
| 11 | The first Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Ogbona: Ferdinand Orbih (SAN). Ferdinand Orbih has an LL.B degree from the University of Ife; he obtained his B.L. from the Nigerian Law School in 1979; He also has an LL.M. from the University of Ife. Ferdinand was conferred with the title of SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA (SAN) in 2011 (but with effect from 2010). He also became a Fellow Institute of Chartered Arbitrators of Nigeria 2013. (FCIArb) |
| 12 | First story building and own by who. Quarter: Oyagha Adamu, Ivhiochie Quarters was the first to build house with zinc but the upstairs were started about the same time, Itsuokor, Anabor, Ikhane, Okhaimera, Osigbemhe, Orbih, Anetekhai and Agbadu, Asekomhe, Ikhanoba/Akhamhe families in Ivhiorevhor and Akaka’s compound in Ivhido. This is not an exhaustive list. |
| 13 | First educated woman from Ogbona: Catherine Ogbualo, Agbedebo Idode, Ashetu Idode and Veronica Okomilo were the first set of female to go to school while Alice Atsegwasi and the First lady to own & ride a bicycle |
| 14 | First Police woman from Ogbona: Ekamhefa Theresa Abu: Enlisted into the Nigeria police force in March 1978 in Lagos, and rose to the rank of an inspector and later posted to Edo state in 1991 where she worked at the Police Training School and in the Police officers Mess and finally retired successfully in 2012 without blemish after 35yrs |
| 15 | First Commissioner of Police: JET Oshiomogho: Enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force as a cadet ASP in August, 1977. He served in Kano from 1977 to 1985. He was at Force Headquarters in Moloney, Lagos from 1986 to 1990 as the Director of Training command in charge of all the Police Colleges nationwide. He also worked for six years as Asst. Commissioner of Police Abeokuta Area Command, Otta Area Command, Festac Area Command and Bauchi Area Command. Deputy Commissioner of Police Operation, Zone 1, Kano, Deputy Commissioner, Abia State Police Command, Deputy Commissioner, and Delta State Police Command and was appointed Commissioner of Police Delta State in 2008 where he retired in 2009. |
| 16 | First Custom Officer: Bernard Orbih was the first Principal of the Customs Training Center in Yaba, Lagos from where he left to serve as the Area Administrator for the Murtala Muhammad Airport. He served the country and customs in various capacities including Area Administrator and Zonal Commander for the Kaduna zone, Area Administrator for the Western Zone in Ibadan. At the time of his death, BA was the Assistant Comptroller General and Eastern Region Zonal Comptroller in Owerri |
| 17 | Female medical doctor: Dr. Dorothy Lovina (Asapokhai) Kufeji: The Paediatric Surgeon, Dr. Dorothy Lovina Kufeji (Nee Asapokhai) First Female medical doctor from Ogbona. Dorothy Kufeji FRCS (Eng.), FRCS (Paed), specialises in neonatal surgery and paediatric colorectal surgery at Guys and St Thomas’ hospital in London. She performed the first laparoscopic ACE stoma at the Evelina Children’s Hospital 8 years ago and is currently the chairman of the Pan London consortium for Paediatric Surgery Training and a member of the board of the London Postgraduate School of Surgery. |
| 18 | First Journalist from Ogbona: Sam Okomilo: Sam worked at UCH Ibadan, where he was trained as a medical photographer from 1960 to 1962 and later moved to LUTH in Lagos. He was admitted to the University of Edinburgh where he studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics from 1970 to 1972. Mr. Sam Ikhenemo Okomilo is the Publisher of the London based African News File, a parent magazine that also publishes: AFRICA TODAY, WHO IS WHO IN AFRICA AND MAKERS OF MODERN AFRICA |
| 19 | Mr. Raphael Nasamu Odior was the first to own a mono crop (orange) farm plantation. A very successful farmer (mostly yams, maize and rice) ever known in Ogbona and its environs. Most of the citrus fruits in Avianwu and its environs came from his Nurseries and gardens. The first to own an orchard (orange) plantation in Avhianwu. He was a social activist and local music composer, one of his compositions was Bolivia’s song “Ogbona mha nekhai”. |
| 20 | Mr. Obiko Asekhauno was the first individual petroleum marketer. Pa William OBIKO Asekhauno retirement in 1984, and went back to Ogbona-Imhakhena where he started his private business as an Independent Petroleum Marketer under the name,” Palm Petroleum Ltd. Papa fondly called all by Yale, was a man of the people and contributed in no small measure to the development of the community till his death on Friday 23rd September, 2016. He was 90 years old |
| 21 | First Female to own a private school: Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru (Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru established her school at Auchi and there were others in other parts of the country before her own school. Mrs. Magdalene (Atsegwasi) Obomighie established CHERPHAM Nursery /Primary School in Kaduna in the late 80s or early 90s. Also Mrs. Ekhasemomhe also established a private school in the 80s and Mrs. Joe Umole also has a school in Abuja. There are 2 private schools at Ogbona by the Catholic Mission and Kingdom Connection Academy by Kingdom Connection Ministries) |
| 22 | First major musician with a band and waxed records: General Bolivia Osigbemhe: “Bolivia entered the limelight of music when he organized a small group of school children in Ogbona to sing folklore songs to instruments.” “This group won the first place in instrumental folk music in the Midwest during the arts Festival in 1967 and represented Nigeria in all Africa Arts Festival in Algiers in the following year. His music has universal appeal. Even those who do not understand Etsako language or Bolivia’s lyrics are moved by the melody and harmony of his music. Bolivia uses his music to advise, counsel and admonish.” Bolivia’s death on January 25th 1991 was very shocking: it came like a bad dream. He was young, born in 1942 and was buried on February 2nd 1991 in his three storey building compound along Ogbona – Fugar Road. He had 58 albums to his credit. |
| 23 | The Highest Ranking Politician from Ogbona in 2000+ Chief Daniel Osikheme Orbih Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Edo State. Former Director NNPC Group Board as well as member Governing Board University of Port Harcourt. Served at various times on PDP Committees at State and National levels. Dan is a chief from Ogbona, meaning, the community recognizes all the things he does for them |
| 24 | Mr. Alfred Okhotor was the youngest teenager to travel as music theatre performance across the globe in company of late General Bolivia Osigbemhe. |
| 25 | Mr. James Itsisor Asekomhe was the first to be pastor. |
| 26 | Mr. Adolphus Anaweokhai was the first to be registered candidate in Ogbona community secondary school. |
| 27 | Mr. Patrick Ighiegwe Osigbemhe. Alias Longman was the first entrepreneur/ businesses man with multipurpose shop |
| 28 | First License Land Surveyor from Ogbona: Late pa Stephen Omoba Itsuokor. (Trained in England in 1962 after passing out of St John’s College Kaduna) |
| 29 | First pilot from Ogbona: Francis Obaye Asapokhai (Mr. Paulinus Orbih was also a pilot}. |
| 30 | First Ogbona Architect, Mr. Edward Orbih (He designed the Ogbona Town hall and Ogbona Secondary School) |
| 31 | First catholic catechist: Cletus Anaweokhai and David Eshibo Enamino while Eshiemhomoh Anaweokhai was the first head Christian |
| 32 | First graduate Forester: Mr. Godwin Atsegwasi |
| 33 | First Female PHD holder: Dr. Charity Igiri (Nee Asapokhai) |
| 34 | First Nurse (male and female): D.S Imoagene, male nurse in the colonial army. Later had a chemist at Jattu market |
| 35 | First female lawyer: Mary Obeakemhe? |
| 36 | First Policeman from Ogbona: Ogbhobu Anamhomha or John Okpokpo Dunia |
| 37 | Footballer of the national team or club side: Boniface Olumekor was the goalkeeper for the Green Eagles in the 80s. Taiwo Enegwea ( member of the under 17 national team that came second in the 1987 Kodak under 17 world cup in Canada) |
| 38 | Train driver: Johnson Enetomhe Agbayekhai, Irale Agbayekhai and Odalumhe were all train drivers |
| 39 | First Medical Doctor: Dr. Felix Orbih. Graduated from University of Ibadan in 1974 and Dr. Imiovone Esue graduated in 1975 |
| 40 | First Automobile Mechanic: Martin Asaya |
| 41 | First to own and drive an automobile in Ogbona Village: Chief Omadimhe was the first to own a car. Chief Odalumhe and M.C.K Orbih had cars but not stationed in Ogbona |
| 42 | First Professor from Ogbona: Professor Olumekor, a professor of Physics. |
| 43 | First Ogbona man to travel abroad (Europe or America): William Okoama Ogbualo was a seaman in the 1930s (Mr. Michael Idogho took part in 2nd world war of Adolf Hitler.) |
| 44 | First Teachers: Anthony Isah Orbih, M.C.K Orbih, T.A Osigbemhe and A. O. Itsuokor and Chief P.A. Oboarekpe |
| 45 | First Pentecostal Pastor from Ogbona: Pastor James Itsisor Asekomhe |
| 46 | First college/ University graduate: Chief T.A. Osigbemhe entered University of Ibadan September 1957 to JUNE 1960. |
| 47 | First engineer: Dr. Paul Anavhe (Petroleum Engineer) |
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