Footprints of the Sons and Daughters of Ogbona – 2025
Note: This list is not exhaustive and aims to document the contributions of Ogbona’s sons and daughters; it requires further updates as more information emerges.
1.First Secondary School Graduate: Mr. Anthony Bartholomew Chiata Anaweokhai, popularly known as Mr. ABC, graduated from Africa College, Onitsha, in 1949. He was born on April 4, 1929, to the Catholic family of Cletus Anaweokhai. ABC attended African College Onitsha for his secondary education and completed it in 1949. He then secured a job as an accountant with Leventis Stores in Port Harcourt. ABC Anaweokhai was known for his honesty and prioritized integrity above all else. He was an active member of the Ogbona Meeting at all the places he worked and played a crucial role in uniting the then-divided Ogbona Meeting in Kaduna during the late 1970s.
2.First Catholic Reverend Father: Rev. Father Dominic Azagbor holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Italy, along with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. He professed his vows to the Order in 1988 and served in various capacities at parishes in Nigeria and Ghana before his ordination as a priest in April 2000. From 2002 to 2005, he served as assistant chaplain at the University of Ife in the Diocese of Oshogbo, Nigeria. Subsequently, he was the associate pastor at St. Jude Catholic Church in Mafoluku under the Archdiocese of Lagos from 2005 to 2009. In 2010, Fr. Azagbor moved to the United States and was assigned as chaplain at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania, and is currently based in Maine.
3.First Pentecostal Bishop: Bishop Anthony Anyiador is the first ordained bishop from the Ogbona community. He pastored many churches in Benin City, Lagos, and other parts of Nigeria. On November 10, 2001, he was consecrated as a Bishop of the Church of God Mission by Archbishop Benson Idahosa. He is now the presiding bishop of Kingdom Connection Ministries, a network of churches in Nigeria with headquarters in Abuja.
4.First College/University Graduate: Chief T.A. Osigbemhe enrolled at the University of Ibadan from September 1957 to June 1960.
5.First Geologist: Gilbert Erelumhe Odior holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Geology from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. He is an accomplished geologist with over 34 years of experience in finding, developing, and producing hydrocarbons in the offshore Nigerian basin and the Gulf of Mexico. He has served as the past president and fellow of the Nigeria Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) and is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). He was also the past president of AAPG-Africa Region from 2012 to 2014 and is a certified professional geologist recognized by COMEG and AAPG, actively participating in local organizations and social clubs.
6.First Major Politician from Ogbona: Chief M.C.K. Orbih was elected in 1954 as one of the pioneer councilors of the Etsako District Council, representing the first democratically elected local government prior to Nigeria’s independence in 1960. He served as a member of the Western Region Advisory Board on Education during the self-government period from 1956 to 1959, leading to the end of colonial administration. Chief Orbih later became one of the pioneer legislators in newly independent Nigeria when he was elected to represent Afenmai East in the Federal House of Representatives from December 12, 1959, to December 12, 1964.
7.First State Commissioner from Ogbona: George Enetomeh Uwaya was appointed Commissioner for Education in Edo State from 1994 to 1996, and then served as Commissioner for Special Duties from 1996 to 1997. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the University of Ibadan, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Benin. Throughout his career, Uwaya was appointed as an Education Officer in the Ministry of Education in North Western State (1971-1975), Head of the Geography Department at the College of Education in Minna (1976-1991), Examiner for the West African Examination Council in 1986, Dean of the School of Art and Social Science (1991), and Chairman of the Committee of Deans at the College of Education (1991). George Enetomeh Uwaya passed away on January 30, 1999, leaving behind his wife and six children.
8.First Commissioned Regular Combatant Officer (Military): Major Francis Aigbona Atsegwasi (Rtd) was the first military officer from Ogbona to obtain a commission from the Nigerian Defense Academy, which was then the highest military institution in Nigeria. He served as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Etsako Central Local Government Area from 2002 to 2003.
9.First Permanent Secretary, Director, or Head of a Government Parastatal: Chief T.A. Osigbemhe, known as “Flames,” served as the Principal of Edo College and as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education in Bendel State from March 1973 to September 1977. At Edo College, he was instrumental in reviving discipline among staff and students and managing high standards within the institution.
10.Dr. Besiru Idode serves as the Director General in the Public Service of the now Edo and Delta states, formerly known as Bendel State. He has held positions as the Director General of the Ministry of Budget and Planning and at the Directorate for Food, Roads, and Rural Infrastructure (DFFRI). Additionally, he has acted as the Sole Administrator of the Ika Local Government Authority in Agbor.
11.First Lawyer: Barrister Christopher Ekhasemomhe. Barrister Christopher Ekhasemomhe gained admission to the then Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, in 1970, where he studied law and graduated in 1973. He attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the bar in June 1974. He completed his mandatory National Youth Service Corps program in the old Benue Plateau State from 1974 to 1975. He began his legal career in Kaduna State under Dr. F. Oguntoye’s Chambers from 1975 until December 1977 and then worked at Aluko Olokun Chambers from 1978 to June 1979. In July 1979, he established his own practice in Kaduna State. The second and third lawyers in Ogbona are Barristers Enamhegbai, Ferdinand Orbih SAN respectively
12.First Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Ogbona: Ferdinand Orbih (SAN). Ferdinand Orbih obtained an LL.B. degree from the University of Ife and his B.L. from the Nigerian Law School in 1979. He also holds an LL.M. from the University of Ife. Ferdinand was conferred the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2011, effective from 2010. Additionally, he became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators of Nigeria in 2013 (FCIArb).
13.The first female lawyer in Ogbona is Bar. Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi
14.First Story Building and Owner. The first person to build a house with zinc roofing in Ivhiochie Quarters was Oyagha Adamu. The construction of upstairs units began around the same time, involving the Itsuokor, Anabor, Ikhane, Okhamera, Osigbemhe, Orbih, Anetekhai, Agbadu, Asekomhe, and Ikhanoba/Akhamhe families in Ivhiorevhor, as well as Akaka’s compound in Ivhido. This is not an exhaustive list.
15.First Educated Women from Ogbona. Catherine Ogbualo, Agbedebo Idode, Ashetu Idode, and Veronica Okomilo were the first set of females to attend school, while Alice Atsegwasi was the first lady to own and ride a bicycle.
16.First Policewoman from Ogbona: Ekamhefa Theresa Abu. Ekamhefa Theresa Abu enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force in March 1978 in Lagos and rose to the rank of Inspector. She was later posted to Edo State in 1991, where she worked at the Police Training School and in the Police Officers’ Mess. She successfully retired in 2012 after 35 years of service, without any blemish on her record.
17.First Commissioner of Police: JET Oshiomogho. JET Oshiomogho enlisted in the Nigerian Police Force as a cadet ASP in August 1977 and 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, overseeing all Police Colleges nationwide. He also served for six years as Assistant Commissioner of Police in Abeokuta, Otta, Festac, and Bauchi Area Commands. He held various deputy commissioner positions and was appointed Commissioner of Police for Delta State in 2008, retiring in 2009.
18.First Customs Officer: Bernard Orbih. Bernard Orbih was the first Principal of the Customs Training Center in Yaba, Lagos. He later served as the Area Administrator for Murtala Muhammad Airport and held various positions, including Area Administrator and Zonal Commander for the Kaduna zone and Area Administrator for the Western Zone in Ibadan. At the time of his death, he was the Assistant Comptroller General and Eastern Region Zonal Comptroller in Owerri.
19.First Female Medical Doctor: Dr. Dorothy Lovina (Asapokhai) Kufeji. Dr. Dorothy Lovina Kufeji (née Asapokhai) is a paediatrics surgeon and the first female medical doctor from Ogbona. She specializes in neonatal surgery and paediatrics colorectal surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London. Dr. Kufeji performed the first laparoscopic ACE stoma at Evelina Children’s Hospital eight years ago. She is currently the chair of the Pan London Consortium for Paediatrics Surgery Training and a member of the board at the London Postgraduate School of Surgery.
20.First Journalist from Ogbona: Sam Okomilo. Sam Okomilo worked at UCH Ibadan, where he was trained as a medical photographer from 1960 to 1962, before moving to LUTH in Lagos. He then attended the University of Edinburgh and studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from 1970 to 1972. Mr. Sam Ikhenemo Okomilo is the publisher of the London-based African News File, which also publishes several magazines, including Africa Today, Who is Who in Africa, and Makers of Modern Africa.
21.First Mono Crop Farmer: Mr. Raphael Nasamu Odior. Mr. Raphael Nasamu Odior was the first to own a mono-crop (orange) plantation and was a successful farmer, known for cultivating yams, maize, and rice in Ogbona and its surroundings. Most of the citrus fruits in Avianwu and its environs originated from his nurseries and gardens. He was also a social activist and a local music composer, with one of his compositions being a song titled “Ogbona Mha Nekhai.”
22.Mr. Obiko Asekhauno was the first individual petroleum marketer. Upon his retirement in 1984, Pa William OBIKO Asekhauno returned to Ogbona-Imhakhena, where he started his private business as an Independent Petroleum Marketer under the name “Palm Petroleum Ltd.” Fondly called “Papa” by the community, he was a man of the people and contributed significantly to the development of the community until his death on Friday, September 23, 2016, at the age of 90.
23.First Female to Own a Private School: Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru established her school in Auchi, and there were others in various parts of the country before her. Mrs. Magdalene (Atsegwasi) Obomighie founded CHERPHAM Nursery/Primary School in Kaduna in the late ’80s or early ’90s. Additionally, Mrs. Ekhasemomhe established a private school in the ’80s, and Mrs. Joe Umole also opened a school in Abuja. There are two private schools in Ogbona operated by the Catholic Mission and Kingdom Connection Academy.
24.First Major Musician with a Band and Waxed Records: General Bolivia Osigbemhe gained recognition in music when he organized a small group of schoolchildren in Ogbona to perform folklore songs with instruments. This group won first place in instrumental folk music at the Midwest Arts Festival in 1967 and represented Nigeria at the All African Arts Festival in Algiers the following year. His music has universal appeal; even those who do not understand the Etsako language or Bolivia’s lyrics are moved by the melody and harmony of his music. He used his music to advise and counsel. Bolivia’s death on January 25, 1991, was shocking and felt like a bad dream. He was young, born in 1942, and was buried on February 2, 1991, in the compound of his three-story building along Ogbona-Fugar Road. He had released 58 albums.
25.The Highest Ranking Politician from Ogbona in the 2000s: Chief Daniel Osikheme Orbih served as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and was a former Director of the NNPC Group Board as well as a member of the Governing Board of the University of Port Harcourt. He served on various PDP Committees at both the State and National levels. Dan is a chief from Ogbona, and the community recognizes his contributions.
26.The Highest Ranking Politician from Ogbona in the 2000s: Chief Daniel Osikheme Orbih served as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and was a former Director of the NNPC Group Board, as well as a member of the Governing Board of the University of Port Harcourt. He has served on various PDP Committees at both the State and National levels. As a chief from Ogbona, the community acknowledges all that he does for them.
27.First Ogbona Man to Travel Abroad (to Europe or America): William Okoama Ogbualo was a seaman in the 1930s. Additionally, Mr. Michael Idogho participated in the Second World War under Adolf Hitler.
28.First Teachers: Anthony Isah Orbih, M.C.K. Orbih, T.A. Osigbemhe, A.O. Itsuokor, and Chief P.A. Oboarekpe.
29.First Medical Doctor: Dr. Felix Orbih graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1974, followed by Dr. Imiovone Esue, who graduated in 1975.
30.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 also had cars, but they were not stationed in Ogbona.
31.Footballer of the National Team or Club Side: Boniface Olumekor was the goalkeeper for the Green Eagles in the 1980s, and Taiwo Enegwea was a member of Nigeria’s under-17 national team that won the silver medal at the 1987 Kodak Under-17 World Cup in Canada. In the final match, Nigeria was defeated by the Soviet Union, finishing as the runners-up in the tournament.
32.Train Drivers: Johnson Enetomhe Agbayekhai, Irale Agbayekhai, and Odalumhe were all train drivers.
33.Ikhane Asekomhe was the first locomotive civil engineer from Ogbona. He worked at the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) alongside Pa Odalumhe.
34.First Pentecostal Pastor from Ogbona: Pastor James Itsisor Asekomhe.
35.First Licensed Land Surveyor from Ogbona: The late Pa Stephen Omoba Itsuokor, trained in England in 1962 after graduating from St. John’s College, Kaduna.
36.First Pilot from Ogbona: Francis Obaye Asapokhai (Mr. Paulinus Orbih was also a pilot).
37.Mr. Edward Orbih, the first architect of Ogbona, designed both the Ogbona Town Hall and Ogbona Secondary School. In 1980, he established an architectural firm called Hibro Edwards Archi-Services Ltd in Benin City. This firm was responsible for several architectural masterpieces throughout Benin City, Auchi, Abuja, Ibadan, Lagos, and more. Mr. Orbih was actively involved in various professional, socio-cultural, and political activities. He promoted the preservation of the culture of the Avianwu people and served as the President of the Ogbona Imhakhena Federated Union for over 10 years. Additionally, he was a member of the Avianwu Club.
38.First Engineer: Dr. Paul Anavhe, a Petroleum Engineer. Dr. Paul Apeye Lucky Anawe was an Associate Professor and the Head of the Petroleum Engineering Department at the College of Engineering, Covenant University, located in Canaan Land, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. He holds a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Petroleum Refining Engineering from the Azerbaijan Institute of Oil and Gas in the USSR. Additionally, he earned a Ph.D. in Lubrication Engineering from the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences Research Institute of Chemical and Technology of Additives in the USSR.
39.Mr. Alfred Okhotor was the youngest teenager to travel as a music theater performer around the globe, accompanying the late General Bolivia Osigbemhe.
40.Mr. James Itsisor Asekomhe was the first to serve as a pastor. In the early sixties, a remarkable journey began for the first Pastor of Ogbona. He decided to equip himself for this important role by attending the Adventist College of West Africa (ACWA) in Ilishan-Remo, which was one of the top Bible colleges in the region at that time. This institution eventually evolved into what we now know as Babcock University, located in Ogun State. After completing his Diploma in Theology and Evangelism, he took on the exciting role of pioneer pastor at the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) in Ogbona. He dedicated an impressive 11 years to this position, spreading positivity and faith before retiring. His passion for evangelism was contagious! He ventured into the heart of Avhianwu and its surrounding areas, determined to share the gospel. To make his travels easier, he purchased a Suzuki 100 motorcycle in the early sixties, which helped him navigate the challenging terrains and reach places like Apana and Iyiora in Uzairue Clan. His commitment to his mission truly knew no bounds!
41.Mr. Adolphus Anaweokhai was the first registered candidate at Ogbona Community Secondary School.
42.Mr. Patrick Ighiegwe Osigbemhe, alias Longman, was the first entrepreneur/businessman with a multipurpose shop.
43.First Catholic Catechists: Cletus Anaweokhai and David Eshibo Enamino, with Eshiemhomoh Anaweokhai being the first head Christian.
44.First Graduate Forester: Mr. Godwin Atsegwasi.
45.First Female PhD Holder: Dr. Charity Igiri (née Asapokhai).
46.First Nurse from Ogbona: D.S. Imoagene, a male nurse in the colonial army, later ran a chemist at Jattu Market.
47.Chief Odior and Chief Izah were the 1st and 2nd recorded Okphe Ukpis of Ogbona respectively in 1850-1859 and 1861-1870