Biographies

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