Biographies

Biographies of Some of the Great Ogbona Men and Women

Biography of Jeremiah Irale Agbayekhai

Biography of Jeremiah Irale Agbayekhai Jeremiah Irale Agbayekhai was a Nigerian entrepreneur, community leader, and devoted Christian from Ogbona, Edo State. He was born into a family of six children and was raised with strong values of responsibility, innovation, and principle. Jeremiah’s life was marked by his adventurous spirit, dedication to education, and commitment to community development. Jeremiah Irale Agbayekhai was born in 1911 in the quiet village of Ogbona, in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. His father, Agbayekhai, hailed from the Okhakia family of Ivhioche, while his mother, Elewho, belonged to the Osimerha family of Okotor quarters. As the first son and the fourth child in a family of six children four females and two males, Jeremiah was destined for responsibility from a young age. His siblings not in a particular order, included Abiba Ilegah, Esomekemhe Oluwe, Sametu Aikabeli, Zenebu Elizabeth Olumhekhor, and his younger brother, Johnson Enetomhe Agbayekhai. He was particularly close to his siblings, becoming a beacon of hope and guidance. As the first son, he was entrusted with significant responsibilities from a young age, a role he fulfilled with resilience, innovation, and unwavering principles. Early Life and Education Jeremiah’s adventurous and ambitious nature led him to leave home at a tender age, trekking from Ogbona to Onitsha and eventually settling in Port Harcourt. There, he learned to read and write, achieving a prestigious Standard Six education certificate, which later secured him a job with the Public Works Department (PWD) in Zaria, Northern Region, in 1935. This opportunity came through the assistance of a mutual friend, Pa. Aweneghiemhe of Agenebode. Career and Community Impact In Zaria, Jeremiah worked with the Water Works Department, where he was responsible for water distribution. His dedication and skill earned him a respectable managerial position in the company, providing not only for his family but also allowing him to support the education of his children. His home in Zaria became a bustling hub of hospitality, serving as a transit point for people traveling to the northern part of Nigeria from Etsako. His ability to maintain strong relationships, both within his family and community, made him a respected figure. He treasured relationships deeply, always ensuring that those around him were well taken care of, both in terms of material needs and emotional support. Jeremiah retired voluntarily in 1960 and returned to Ogbona, where he engaged in farming and entrepreneurship, demonstrating courage and vision during the Nigerian Civil War. His bosom friend, Mr. L.K. Ogedegbe, assisted him with a parcel of farmland. As an entrepreneur, he felt that the villagers needed good plates for their meals and other domestic uses. This spurred him into the business of kitchenware and plates to fill the gap. His entrepreneurial spirit continued during the Nigerian Civil War, as he made frequent trips to Onitsha to procure goods which increased to include provisions for his business, despite the risks posed by the war. Family Life and Values Jeremiah married Mary Anima Iyiemhe Okhamera, and their union was blessed in the Anglican Church in the late 1930s. He later took a second wife, Aluta Esue when retired and returned to Ogbona. The two wives lived harmoniously, sharing responsibilities and fostering a spirit of love and respect within the family. Their children, regardless of their mothers, were raised together, eating from the same plate and running errands in turn. This unity and discipline were hallmarks of Jeremiah’s household. He was a generous man to all, a disciplinarian, and a no-nonsense man. He never followed the crowd but stood for justice and truth when his younger brother Johnson, who worked as a railway Locomotive Pilot in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, passed away, Jeremiah took on the responsibility of educating Johnson’s children. He raised all the children under his care with strong values of industry, honesty, humility, and excellence, ensuring they imbibed these virtues. He enrolled them in highly-rated schools across the region. Community Leadership and Legacy Jeremiah was a key opinion molder in the Ogbona community, working alongside other notable figures such as Chief M.C.K. Orbih and Chief Nasamu Odior among other influential members of the community. His influence extended beyond his immediate environment, shaping opinions on development and entrepreneurship. Jeremiah’s commitment to education extended beyond his own family. He believed in the transformative power of education, particularly for young girls, who were often overlooked in society. He took bold steps and pioneered the training of girls in higher education in the Ogbona community, a radical move at the time, but one that laid the foundation for a brighter future for many, challenging the prevailing norms and risking much to secure their future. His actions sparked a revolution in the education sector of his community, leaving a lasting impact. A devoted Christian, Jeremiah believed in the power of prayers and always committed his activities to God before embarking on them, yielding fruitful results. He was deeply involved in the Anglican Church, helping in organizing harvest thanksgivings and the annual love feasts (Going to Galilee to meet Jesus) during Easter where families were encouraged to cook different delicacies to share in the spirit of love for community bounding and to foster unity among members for the development of the church. He introduced the attendance of outstation programs to Sabogida Ora in the community. Jeremiah’s legacy of ethical entrepreneurship, commitment to education, and community leadership continue to inspire generations. His life was a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and the importance of self-confidence in times of need and uncertainty. Jeremiah Irale Agbayekhai passed away in 1978 after a brief illness, leaving behind nine children, twelve of his late brother’s children, two wives, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. His name remains a symbol of industriousness, ethical conduct, and community service in Ogbona and beyond.

Biography of Jeremiah Irale Agbayekhai Read More »

BIOGRAPHY OF CHIEF BRUNO IGWEMHOR AIKABELI (THE IGBEVHOMHE OF AVIANWU)

Biography of Chief Bruno Igwemhor Aikabeli (The Igbevhomhe of Avianwu) Early Life and Education Chief Bruno Igwemhor Aikabeli was born on October 6th, 1943, to Pa Aikabeli Momoh and Madam Salametu Emariemhe Agbayekhai in Ivhiochie village, Ogbona sub-clan, Avianwu, Etsako Central LGA. He attended Etsako District Council School (EDC) from 1954 to 1959, where he received a one-year scholarship from Ogbona Progressive Union. He furthered his education at St Thomas Secondary Model School Agenegbode and St Andrew’s Anglican Model School in Fugar. Work Experience Chief Bruno’s career spanned various industries, including: – Ministry of Agriculture (1963) – Domestic servant for Canadian Expatriates (1964-1966) – MONIER (MCC) construction company (1966) – Petroleum dealership with Total Oil Nigeria (1972-1976) and British Petroleum (BP) (1976-1994) – Frozen foods business (1996-present) Community Roles Chief Bruno served in various capacities, including: – Assistant Secretary, Ogbona Aloagbaye Union Benin branch (1965-1966) – Treasurer, Ogbona Aloagbaye Union (1972-2003) – National Treasurer, Ogbona Aloagbaye Union (1989-2006) – Patron, Oboareke Social Club, Ibadan (ongoing) Motivation and Vision for Ogbona Chief Bruno’s love for Ogbona stems from the scholarship he received from an association in Ogbona. He instilled a deep love for the community in his children and grandchildren, frequently visiting with them. His vision is for a united and progressive Ogbona in all aspects of life. Passing Chief Bruno Igwemhor Aikabeli passed away on August 5, 2024, after a brief illness.

BIOGRAPHY OF CHIEF BRUNO IGWEMHOR AIKABELI (THE IGBEVHOMHE OF AVIANWU) Read More »

PA JOSEPH AKHANIAMHE ANAWEOKHAI, 1906-1973, THE FATHER I NEVER KNEW BY Dr.John Odior Anaweokhai

51 YEARS IN MIND: PA JOSEPH AKHANIAMHE ANAWEOKHAI, 1906-1973, THE FATHER I NEVER KNEW 24th July 1973 will remain a red-letter day in the annals of my existence as my father, Pa Joseph Akhaniamhe Anaweokhai, boarded the celestial plane to live among saints. For many years, I struggled without restraint, dug deep into the reveries of my inner being, plied ceaselessly through the recesses of my mental hub, stretched the elasticity of memory boundaries, all to catch a glimpse of his face, much as I strained my tiny earlobes daily, hoping to be jarred by his guttural voice, cleared my mind of cobwebs in readiness for fatherly admonitions, waited eagerly to fall into his warm embrace with my school report card, and to have my frayed nerves soothed by his coaxing fatherly counsel, of course, all to no avail. Yes, exercises in futility cum childish fantasies they were. The reality is that he is no more, and painfully so, I have since learned to live with that stark reality. That is not to say it was easy. It was by no means an easy task. Whenever we thumbed one another as children, some threatened to report me to their fathers. Did I have anyone to report to? Yes, my mother. However, such reiteration bred a bigger problem for me altogether. Namely, my father’s name became erased from my nomenclature and got replaced with my mother’s, ODIOR ABIKE, before my peers. No peer of mine knew my father’s name. My surname, Anaweokhai, did not help matters, as it completely obliterated his name from the equation. Humanly speaking, is there any height in life I could have attained but for his early exit? The answer is capital NO. I told a group of friends some time ago with a deep sense of responsibility that I owe my “success” in life to three factors: the grace of God, a solid family background, and a God-fearing/supportive wife. Pa Joseph Akhaniamhe Anaweokhai was a visionary father par excellence who saw beyond the limiting scope of his immediate environment. Very early in life, he migrated from his agrarian community of Ogbona to the commercial city of Onitsha to ply his trade in commodities and, to a great extent, accumulated both fortune and fame. He became a rallying point for his immediate and extended friends and family members. He also broadened his horizon beyond trading by keying into adult education, spurred by Onitsha market literature, and became literate enough to read and write, a no mean feat in the 1950s and 60s. Apart from helping to support his siblings’ children in their life endeavors, he ensured his children, Chief Vital Anaweokhai and Pst. Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru was exposed to Western education very early in their formative years too. A life-transforming investment whose benefits rubbed off on the younger ones later in life in no small measure. Pa Joseph was a nonconformist and disdainful iconoclast to the core. While girls were mostly seen as mere chattels and objects for producing children and, as such, undeserving of being wasted scarce resources on, Pa Joseph unapologetically broke with tradition and sent his only daughter, Pst. Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru, to school in the 1940s. Another lifetime investment that completely changed the family narrative. In a nutshell, Pa Joseph’s foresight had a trickle-down effect from Chief Vital Anaweokhai to my twin brother and me, the last born. If I didn’t have to struggle to pay my way through schools, from secondary school to postgraduate studies levels, it was because of the above foundation. If I made quick progress in business without any form of equivocation, it was strictly because of the said investment. On the appreciative page of my First Degree Project, I wrote, “My journey through the ivory tower like the fresh needle through a piece of cloth was so because my elder brother, Sir Romanus, and his wife, Lady Agnes Anaweokhai, said so.” If Sir Romanus saw farther than most men in all spheres of life, it was by standing on the shoulder of Pst. Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru, and if Pst. Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru was able to raise her younger ones, it was based on the sacrifice Chief Vital Anaweokhai made to see her through school. Dad, wherever you may be, I feel proud to have come into this world through your loins. If I have to come back to this world again and I am given a choice in the matter, I won’t hesitate a hoot to come here through your loins and, of course, to leverage your good legacy. Eramhe No’khai, the family has expanded beyond what you would have imagined and is blessed with good health, long life, and all-round blessings. Your first son, Chief Vital, will be 89 years old in October. A lot of grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been added to the family. Your only daughter, Pst. Mrs. Julie Inu Umoru, is now a great-grandmother, thus extending the bloodline. Sir Romanus, Adolphus, Omo, and my humble self have lived a humble and peaceful life devoid of criminality. The seed of Christianity planted in the family by your elder brother, Pa Cletus Eshiemhomo Anaweokhai, which you helped him to nurture, has grown to produce Rev. Fathers and Pastors. Your venture into business in the early 30s has snowballed into limited liability companies. Writing this piece without your attached picture is one of the most hollowing and disappointing experiences I have had in recent times. The stories are the same: “When I relocated to my new place, I misplaced them.” The good thing is that all the sources have promised to swing into action and make them available in no distant time. Continue to rest in peace, Dad. We miss you daily. Dr.John Odior Anaweokhai (Your Grown Banana Sucker)

PA JOSEPH AKHANIAMHE ANAWEOKHAI, 1906-1973, THE FATHER I NEVER KNEW BY Dr.John Odior Anaweokhai Read More »

BIOGRAPHY OF N-E-N-E LATE MADAM LADY OKEMECHI EGHIEYE

BIOGRAPHY OF N-E-N-E LATE MADAM LADY OKEMECHI EGHIEYE Celebrating: A fulfilled Christian woman HER BACKGROUND In the year 1925, Nene was born at Okotor Quarters, Ogbona in Southern Nigeria and later Midwest/Bendel, now Edo State, into the descendant of Eghieye family and mother Ughie Eghieye. Her father, a humble gentle man was a great Hunter and a prosperous farmer in the community. Nene was the youngest among her six siblings. She was greatly loved and cherished by her mother who gave her a pet name (Omoyienyie). Nene grew up with certain essentials and potentials that were evident to her parents. She was very calm, peaceful, patient and easy going. She hated conflicts to the core and was never found struggling for her rights, nor having conflict with any member of the family. she embraced good neighbourliness and unity. She followed peace with all. HER FAMILY LIVE As a young lady, with amiable character, she was attracted to a young man from the family of Emalumhe, in the year 1940, one Mr. Kadiri Emalumhe, who later abandoned her in search of greener pastures to the city. The marriage however was blessed with a son. After waiting in vain for him, she later got married to a well-known business and prosperous farmer Mr. Imhana Jerome Odior (AKA) Gagakugu). Her marriage to Pa Imhana was also blessed with two sons. HER SOCIAL/CAREER LIFE Nene was full of life and industrious. She was perfect and locally known for making (Eko/Agidi) that so many people in the community usually place order ahead with her for marriage ceremonies. She was also a dedicated farmer who worked tirelessly to assist her husband in making provisions for essential family needs. She taught her children to be contented, never to look at other person eating. Nene was salt to all the people around her; she was a caring woman and a mother to other children that were not biologically hers. The pains of others were her pains and the comfort of others her comfort. She was popular and well known for her hospitality, generosity, love and care. Her life positively influenced and transformed lots of young women in the community and also in the church. HER RELIGIOUS LIFE In the religious sphere, Nene was born into the family of Catholic and grew up as a communicant. However, in the year 1998, she had an encounter with the Lord in Deeper Life Bible Church, where she served the Lord till her death. As a result of her faith in Christ, Nene went further to affirm her faith and hunger to see the Lord. She made all wrong, right and took a bold step of faith, did her restitution back to her family home, even when Pa Jerome Imhana Odior was yet alife. She was a dedicated worker in the church, faithful, obedient, committed and consecrated to the things and service of God. HER GLORIOUS HOME CALL It was on a glorious Wednesday, after a brief illness, on 21st day of September, 2022, that Nene answered the glorious call to eternity after her meal in the morning. She told her granddaughter “Oh Baby that she wanted to take a nab, she laid on her bed and passed on peacefully to glory. It was a glorious home call. Adieu Nene!!! Sleep on till the resurrection morning when we shall see to part no more. Nene is survived by two children, 13 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

BIOGRAPHY OF N-E-N-E LATE MADAM LADY OKEMECHI EGHIEYE Read More »

BIOGRAPHY OF PA ANDREW ABU OKHAMERA

BIOGRAPHY OF PA ANDREW ABU OKHAMERA Andrew Abu Okhamera was born in Ogbona, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State on 15th March 1928 to the family of Mr Okhamera and Aishetu Ikhiagwa of Ivhiorevho Quarters, Ogbona, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State. Andrew was the third child and second son of Pa Okhamera a renowned farmer and trader in cocoa and kola nuts and a respected community leader. The couple were blessed with seven children four males and three females which included Mary Anima Iyiemhe Agbayekhai (first), Alukhu Okhamera (second), Andrew Abu Okhamera (third), Joseph Arolo Okhamera (fourth), Jacob Ighiekhanu Okhamera (fifth), Christiana Akweye Okhamera (sixth) and Cecilia Ayenegbe Okhamera (seventh) all of whom have now been called to the heavenly kingdom of the Angels. Pa Okhamera Ikhiagwa was a highly principled man, and a strict disciplinarian who stood for honesty, truth and justice and morality, who spared nothing to ensure that his children were well groomed in these virtues. As a first surviving son, Andrew had no choice than to imbibe his father’s high standards or face the “music” for any breaches of the Oldman’s codes. As the young Andrew grew, Pa Okhamera Ikhiagwa promptly enrolled him at the model school Ogbona to acquire western education, where he ended up in standard IV, before a relation relocated him to Calabar, in the present Cross River State. Rather than continuing his education, the young Andrew was redirected to learn a new trade of tailoring. He soon learned and perfected the skills and became a tailor, who on his return to Ogbona in the early 1950’s set up a thriving dress making business. His services were sought by most young men and women at the time in the village and neighbouring communities of Iraokhor, Fugar and other locations as Ekperi and North Ibie. In those days, Abu the ‘tailor’ was a popular brand sought after by young and trendy men and women who wanted to remain fashionable and relevant. The profession attracted him to many friends which included Chief Paul Saliu Eleta, John Ikhane, Bolivia Osigbemhe, Joseph Imhonopi, Atsighi, S.S. Oboh from Fugar and many others all of whom now rests peacefully in the kingdom of the Saints. Alongside his thriving tailoring business, Andrew also loved farming and hunting. The latter, took him deep into the bushes to hunt for games. He shared this passion for hunting with his best friend and relation, Chief Paul Saliu Eleta, a renown educationist, whose professional duties and deployment as a teacher took him to many communities which were rich with games that made them good hunting locations. His love for hunting led him to always seek after good hunting locations. Together with the strong pull from his best friend and brother, he eventually relocated from Ogbona to Ekperi in the late 1950’s. While not too busy with tailoring, Andrew would go into the Ekperi and adjourning forests to hunt for games. One early morning in the 1960s, the young Andrew hurried out of his home to quickly check the traps he had set to catch animals in the bushes, not really far from the Ekperi village. It has rained all night and by his calculations, it was good opportunity for animals to venture afar from their hiding places to look for pastures. His plan was to go round all the locations of his ‘traps’ and return early to face his tailoring jobs. So, he picked up a matchet and went off but it turned out to be very eventful, for he did not bargain for what was to confront him as he was rounding up the assignment. Up on a slightly elevated ground, a few yards away, he was confronted with this huge male buffalo trapped in one of the wire traps. The wild animal, from the struggles to free itself had literally bulldozed the surrounding bushes and attempted to ‘charge’ at the enemy. Andrew, going by his account of the incident, ran back and stood at a safe distance from the beast to think about what to do. First, he considered returning to town to pick his gun to enable him shoot dead the animal, but he immediately dropped the idea and settled for cutting a fairly sizeable wood and confronting the beast from another direction close to a steep slope so as to trick it to fall into the pit. What a risk for any one to contemplate. He tried his plans nonetheless and it worked perfectly. Armed with the stick, Andrew approached the beast as he planned, from the direction of the slope. The animal charged at him but it slipped and fell on its side in the slope. Andrew took advantage of the situation and with the strong stem in his hands, hit the animal repeatedly on the head until it died. With his cutlass, as was required of tradition, he cut of the tail of the beast and ran back to Ekperi to announce his conquest of the buffalo. For that act, which took place several decades ago, Andrew later took the title of “Ogie Ighiedo” or head of hunters of not only Ogbona but perhaps, the whole of Etsako Land of Edo State. His success in catching games, boosted his interest in hunting. Together with his friend and brother P.S Eleta, he went on many expeditions to several communities such as Agenebode, Ekwuotsor, Ivhiukue, Osomhegbe and others. Again, while on one such exercise in 1965 at Ekperi with his friend and brother, P.S. Eleta, Andrew had a near death experience when his hunting gun accidently discharged into the palm of his right hand, resulting in serious injuries which eventually led to his inability to handle the scissors, one of the most important tools of the tailoring profession and brought that career to a closure. Back in the village and unable to do his tailoring, Andrew had to seek other avenues to make a living and care for his family that was also steadily

BIOGRAPHY OF PA ANDREW ABU OKHAMERA Read More »

Biography of Pa Pius Ebayode Igonor

Pa Pius Ebayode Igonor (a.k.a odigba-to baya), beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, in-law, cousin and friend was born in Ogbona, Etsako Central Local Government Area in Edo state, on 7th March 1940 to Mr. and Mrs. Patty Igonor-Oshiakpemhe. He was the fourth of five children and was the only son who lived for over 80 years. He has only one sister who is still alive till date aged 90. Pius Igonor lost his father at a tender age, and dropped out of school from the Native Authority (NA) Primary School in Ogbona, He left in standard two in 1956. He struggled to take care of himself through farm work, which earned him stipends that enabled him to survive. Thereafter, he left home to live with his brother in Ibadan. He worked briefly with a Lawyer named Abdullai Awomolo whom he served diligently. After a while, he decided to pick up a trade. He However, he still got engaged in a part time job as a Horticulturist, with Professor L.A. Thompson of the Department of Classics, University of Ibadan. He was very faithful and dedicated to his duties, as he maintained the beautiful compound No 3. Crowther Lane, which was a masterpiece within the entire University community. He became very well loved by the Thompsons who fondly called him “Pius”. They encouraged him to attend evening classes organized by the Extra-mural Programme at the University of Ibadan. Through this effort, he was able to improve his speaking and writing skills tremendously. Determined to be successful in life, he sought for employment as a Caterer/Supervisor under the Catering unit at the University. left to learn tailoring which he studied for 3 years (1956 – 1959). Following his graduation, he gained a reputation as a top-notch tailor in the community. He got the job with strong recommendation from the Thompsons in the year 1963. During this period, he served diligently at the Independence Hall and the Alexander Brown Hall, College of Medicine, University College Hospital (U.C.H) Ibadan, where he retired in 1985 voluntarily. Nevertheless, because of his need to educate his children to his utmost satisfaction, he took up a contract appointment with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) between 1988- 2001. He was awarded with Certificate of Excellence at the International House of the Institute for his outstanding performance. Pa. Pius was wedded to his amiable wife of over 60 years, Mrs. Theresa Igonor (Nee Esi- Balogun) on 14th October 1961 at the Catholic Church Ogbona. The union is blessed with children and grandchildren. With his wife, Pa Pius went to Canada to visit his children and grandchildren. He lived in Abuja from 2005-2015, after which he decided to relocate to his village in Ogbona, Edo state.

Biography of Pa Pius Ebayode Igonor Read More »

Biographies of Some of the Great Ogbona Men and Women

THE BIOGRAPHY OF HRH ALHAJI PATRICK AJAYI OBOAREKPE (JP) THE GIEAVIANWU OF AVIANWU. His Royal Highness, Alhaji P.A Oboarekpe (JP) was born in the year of our Lord on November 18th, 1922. He was born into the Ogbona ruling house in Avianwu Clan by peasant parents and as such had a humble beginning. GENEALOGY AND PLACE OF BIRTH HRH Alhaji P.A Oboarekpe hails from Ivhitse quarter in Ogbona Sub-clan-head zone of Avianwu Clan. His father Oboarekpe was the eldest son of Akpheokhai of Ivhiste, while his mother Aghiegho Oboarekpe was the eldest daughter of Agbayekhai who hailed from Okotor quarter of Iraokhor in Iraokhor Sub-clan head zone of Avianwu Clan, all in Etsako Central Local Government area of Edo State. HRH Alhaji P.A Oboarekpe was the 4th child of his father. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND ACHIEVEMENTS It was customary in those difficult periods in the introduction of western education in Nigeria that only those children who were not good in farm work, but gifted with intelligence would aspire to obtain western education and they were sent to missionary schools. Patrick Ajayi Oboarekpe as he was known at the time got favoured in this regard.  He started his early primary education in 1937 at the then St. John’s Catholic School, Ogbona, and now Oboarekpe primary school (named after him). He completed and obtained the Standard Six School Leaving Certificate in 1945 at the Sacred Heart Catholic School at Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. In 1946 he was employed as a teacher and was posted to St. Peter’s Catholic School at Afashio, Uzairue, in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State under the Catholic Mission. He later proceeded to St. John Bosco College at Ubiaja, where he successfully obtained the Teacher’s Grade III certificate in 1948. He worked assiduously as a classroom teacher and later as Headmaster in various locations in Etsako. While in service, he initiated very many innovative activities that attracted many unwilling children to develop the love for education. Through his untiring quest for the expansion of schools in Etsako, he assisted the missionaries in no small measure in the opening up of schools in deep rural communities where he personally accepted payless jobs in teaching rural pupils. He was a sport enthusiast who won many laurels during the Empire Day Sports Meets that were organized under the auspices of the then colonial masters. He was a sprinter, a distant runner, a footballer and a wrestler. TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP PERIOD While he was still in service, judging from his indomitable organizing ability and his love for corporate values and unity of purpose, he was called by his people to occupy the stool of the leadership of Ogbona, following the exit of the incumbent Ukpi Drummer, late Chief Okozi who was the then village head. In 1955, in response to the yearning and aspiration of the people of Ogbona, he accepted the challenge and took over the reins of office in the community alongside his teaching career. He later found this to be cumbersome, combining these duties and in 1958, he resigned from teaching voluntarily to avail himself full opportunity to govern the community more effectively. During this early period of his reign, he was appointed into the Customary Court Judicial Service Commission and he served as a member of the Customary Court in Fugar, headquarters of Etsako Central Local Government Area from 1967 to 1974. In 1984, following the exit of HRH Alhaji J.A Alao (JP), the then Clan Head of Avianwu, the royal highness scepter fell upon him and he took up the reigns of office  as the Clan Head of Avianwu Clan, as the Ogieavianwu of Avianwu. He was gazette into the throne and office as the Ogieavianwu of Avianwu on the 19th of June 1986 by the Edo Sate Government. He occupied the position of the Ogieavianwu of Avianwu, until he was graciously called to join his ancestors on the 27th of February 2010. NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS                                             TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION REFORMS In the existence of Avianwu clan, he is the first Royal Highness to parade four full-fledged subordinate clan heads in attendance at deliberations on issues affecting the clan. He created 117 villages that are headed by Ikhaemhos in the dispensation of grassroots justice; and three autonomous villages that were formed into a Ruling House known as Ebadi Ruling House. He fought for the expansion of Avianwu into more viable villages and clans to be headed by subordinate clan heads. During his reign, he endorsed and influenced the creation of Etsako Central Local Government Council with the headquarters at Fugar in Avianwu kingdom in Edo State. EDUCATION REFORMS His reign witnessed giant strides in the educational sector, as many new secondary schools were founded. The former St. John’s Grammar School Fugar was upgraded to the status of a Model Unity School. A Skills Acquisition centre was established and completed at Fugar. The extension of the Federal Government UBE schools scheme to Avhianwu. The establishment of Ogbona Grammar school, Ogbona. HEALTH REFORMS The university of Benin Teaching hospital comprehensive health centre was established at Ogbona. The general hospital located at Fugar and many other primary health care centres were established to take care of the health of his subjects. He assisted with the full immunization of his people by imposing penalties on anyone seeking to prevent the success of the exercise within his domain. SECURITY REFORMS He was the first Ogieavianwu to organize a general congress on ways to avert security threat in his area with all the security agencies in attendance. During his reign, he imposed harsh penalties on those embarking on riots, family feuds, possession and use of dangerous weapons, provocation and assaults of any kind. He stopped the dusk to dawn night parties and night ceremonies that had become avenues for criminal activities and constituted a threat to security in the community. SOCIAL REFORMS                                                He supported the organization of various progressive unions, home and abroad; geared towards the development of the

Biographies of Some of the Great Ogbona Men and Women Read More »