Benin Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II
Kingsley Abavo (Managing Editor), Benin
• Says, they are never autonomous but one of the quarters amongst us
The people of Igueoshodin Nebudin Village in Ovia-North-East Local Government Council Area of Edo State, have debunked the allegations and claims of alleged secessionists in their protest and petition to the Palace of the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II.
On Tuesday, 10 June, 2025, the people of Ogbeson who claim to be an autonomous Village, staged a peaceful protest to the Palace of the Oba against their supposed kinsmen; the people of Igueoshodin Nebudin Village.
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They complained; the people of Igueoshodin Nebudin threatens their corporate existence as an autonomous Village, alleging them for the demolition of their ‘Oguedion’ ( ancestral elders’ sanctuary).
That they influenced the services of Chiefs who were discovered not to have been mandated by the Oba’s Palace during the pulling down of the Oguedion; and that Igueoshodin people are parading the wrong person as the Ohen-Ovia (Priest of the deity of Ovia river) in the area, amongst others.
In a swift reaction; on behalf of the people, Elder James Agbonile who holds an administrative brief for the Oba in Igueoshodin Nebudin Village, knocks Ogbeson people for what he labelled: the pushing of false stories and whipping up of cheap sentiments for selfish gains.
Since the beginning of existence, four quarters made up the Village of Igueoshodin Nebudin: Igueidun; Idunadagba; Ogbeson; and Agornobahen, he said.
“There is no Ogbeson as a substantive community, they are part of the Village of Igueoshodin Nebudin.
“As for the demolition of Oguedion, we know nothing about it, we heard that they reported the matter to the police for investigation.
“And for the record, in the first place Ogbeson is part of the corporate existence of Igueoshodin Nebudin.
“So I don’t know how an Oguedion should also be there. We have only one Oguedion in the entire Village of Igueoshodin Nebudin from time immemorial.”
Further he refutes the allegation of attacks and the making of life miserable for the people of Ogbeson stating; “I can’t remember any time the people of Igueoshodin Nebudin attacked or sponsored any attack against anyone let alone Ogbeson as being speculated.
“We are peace loving and always prevail on our youths to refrain from acts of violence even at the height of provocation.
“I want to state here that there is no iota of truth in their stories and allegations; only aimed at mischief making and selfish gains. Hence the appeal that they should be ignored by everyone.”
In the same vein, Sunday Okoro Ogbeiwi responded to the allegation of him not being the rightful Ohen Ovia (priest of the Ovia river deity) in the locality.
According to him, historically, the position is hereditary as his family forbears have always produced the priest as evidence abounds.
Right from the days of Iyoho, Asemota through to Agho Okoro his father, before him now as the substantive Ohen Ovia. “It is not contestable“, he asserts!
Urging members of the public to ignore the allegations which he noted were tended to achieve mischief and damage his good reputation and image, Ohen Ogbeiwi said he was duly installed as the tradition and customs of Benin Kingdom demands; by all the Ohens in the Ovia area on the 23 June, 2023. “No controversy”, he asserts!
As evidence of their assertions, they tendered for sighting, a document with reference number: ‘BTC A40/VOL. LVV/19 and dated; 4 November, 2021 from the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) to the Head of Local Government Administration/Chairman, Ovia-North-East Local Government Council, Okada.
The document; a certified true copy of the BTC response to an inquiry of the Council, about the status of Ogbeson in relation to the existence of Igueoshodin Nebudin Village, was duly signed by the secretary, Frank Irabor.
Also, it carries the official stamp of the Director of Administration and General Services of the Council and dated 28 June, 2024.
Extract from the document; “From your inquiry, Ogbeson is a quarter in Igueoshodin Nebudin Village in Ovia-North-East Area of Edo State. The Odionwere of Igueoshodin Nebudin oversees all the quarters in the Village.”
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