By Assin Godstime.
HRH Okiemute Onajite Igere, the Ovie of Ogor Kingdom with the author Assin Godstime
For every existing tribe, clan or ethnic group, there were great men and women who fought against all odds to position such places among the sub-nations and societies. The oral account, concerning the formation of most Urhobo dukedoms and Kingdoms is emphatic of the fact that the ancient Urhobo People (the ruling houses, that is, the Kings) migrated from Benin.
The exodus of the original Urhobo took place around the late 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. The mass departure that took place in Benin Kingdom was not without a cause. Some sources adduced it to the high-handedness of the Obas who ruled the Benin Kingdom at the time.
One of such groups that was determined against all odds was the Orhowa (Oghwoghwa) group. It was a departure that was intentionally led by the strong and brave men to be able to keep their children and the women among them, as well as to be able to battle against the challenges of wild animals or unfriendly humans.
The name, “Oghwoghwa” is appreciated to be the correct form or Benin version, which is “Orhowa”, meaning “the owner of the house or he is at home”. At about 14th and 15th centuries, white men visited the Kingdom of Benin and were able to use sugar to persuade the king to co-operate in the sale of slaves. Sugar was a great potent in the hands of the white who used it to help the ancient kings to mix bitter substance.
In addition to the inhuman slavery, Benin Kingdom was fast becoming the city of blood, as human sacrifices soon became common sights. A full grown female victim could be tied alive to appease the god of rain and several other gods. People completely lived in fear as they battled to keep their women, young men, and infants from the king’s executors who were dreaded soldiers. The fear of the unknown continued to hit the victims until the mass movement.
Many who left Benin moved to the present Esan area and other places. Then, Oghwoghwa moved away from Benin to Tarakiri, an Ijaw town. At Tarakiri, he got married to two Ijaw women, Obueruke (the eldest) and Ogele (the last). Obueruke hailed from an Ijaw town called Ekao and had two Male children for Oghwoghwa, namely: OGOR and AGBARHA respectively. Ogele also had two children for him, Ughene (Ughelli) and Orhiara. Ughene was male while Orhiara, was female.
Ughene was the immediate younger sibling to OGOR, even though they were not born of the same mother. Ogele, mother of Ughelli and Orogun hailed from an Ijaw town called Ibisigha within Tarakiri. Hence Oghwoghwa had four children from two wives as noted above.
Ogor was the eldest, followed by Ughene, Agbarha and Orhiara (the mother of Orogun). Orhiara’s later marriage produced a man child named Orogun.
It should be noted that Tarakiri territory later expanded and there was regular misunderstanding and suspicious attitude among one another. Following the regular misunderstanding, Oghwoghwa departed Tarakiri with all his children: Ogor, Ughene, Agbarha and Orhiara. They arrived Ogoviri, near the bank of Ohorhe River. At the time, the above river was navigable in the year 1588 and paved way for easy settlement for both the Urhobo and the Isoko settlers.
History has it that Oghwoghwa was an Enogie (Ogie) or clan head in the great Benin Empire. It was “Ogie” that was corrupted to “Ovie”, meaning “King”. Oghwoghwa, being an Enogie in Benin and subsequently at Tarakiri became the Ogie (Ovie) of Ogoviri. When he passed on, the title was passed on to his eldest surviving son, Ogor who eventually became his successor and, who continued in the administration steps of his father.
Indeed Ogor Kingdom is about the oldest surviving Urhobo Kingdom. Its present King is HRM OKIEMUTE ONAJITE IGERE I.
*Edited by Anthony Ororho
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