Odionwere Liawe Ediagbonya
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
Against the claim of Evbotubu; a next door neighbour, Iguedayi Village in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, remains autonomous and had never been under the authority of any other right from time immemorial to the present day, Odionwere Liawe Ediagbonya has said.
Pa. Ediagbonya made the clarification at an enlarged meeting of the elders and people at the Village Oguedion (ancestors’ sanctuary), in reaction to the publication made by the people of Evbuotubu Village, in one of the dailies that Evbuotubu/Iguedayi is one.
To put the record straight; Iguedayi has boundaries with Evbuotubu, Ukpea, Iguogie and Iguoto from time immemorial, he said.
In a brief narrative; Pa. Ediagbonya explained; Iguedayi Village came into existence during the reign of Oba Adolor who sent his emissaries (Chiefs) to plant (Ikhinmwin) Nim tree for them, and ever since they have been autonomous, and not under any other Village, as Evbotubu erroneously want members of the public to believe.
“Aigbekan N ‘Iwegua who had the chieftaincy title of ‘Obadagbonyi’ of Benin kingdom, founded the Village of Iguedayi as earlier said during the reign of Oba Adolor.
“Being a Prince and brother to Oba Adolor he was a first class chief in Benin kingdom.
“As custom demands, he was not to share the Palace with the Oba hence he went in search of a place that will be convenient for him to settle.
“He found Iguedayi Village and the Oba gave his blessings that he should go settle in the new found land and take charge of its administration.
“Iguedayi Village had its Oguedion and Edion N’Akenzua, Edion Noghowanre; for them to be united and not harm each other, the Oba gave them Alegbe shrine and also that of the children known as ‘Aikobie’ and that of the women called ‘Omeho’ shrine.
“It is also on record how the great Oba Akenzua in his wisdom and magnanimity approved that a school should be built in Iguedayi in 1956 and in 1957 the school was officially opened to admit pupils. It was named: Holy Aruosa Primary School II, Iguedayi.
Following the strong belief of Oba Adolor in the existence of God and His ultimate power and influence in the affairs of men, advised the people to get closer to God hence he built the first Holy Arousa Cathedral at Akpakpava in Oredo, Odionwere Ediagbonya narrated.
“As evidence, the house where the Ohen Osa of the Holy Aruosa in Iguedayi lived is still standing, he asserts adding; that the people of Evbuotubu and environs attended the Church and School; “the name of the Ohen osa then was Aisienevbomwan.”
He explained the Oba had reasoned that it was good the people build and own their own houses in Benin; and he introduced the Land Allotment Committee which eventually brought Evbuotubu and Iguedayi together.
But when HRM Oba Ewuare II came, as a man of peace and progress, he outlawed the Community Development Association, (CDA); and directed that the Villages which have Odionwere and Oguedion, the Odionwere and Edionene (the first four ranking elders) should take charge of the administration on his behalf.
Even when Iguedayi and Evbotubu were doing things together under the outlawed CDA, each of them had its own Odionwere and Oguedion and never interferes into each other’s affairs and administration.
Odionwere Ediagbonya therefore advised members of the public to disregard the claims made by the people of Evbuotubu; reiterating that Iguedayi is not under the authority of any community and whoever want to do any transaction with her should feel free to do so.
Also speaking, Austin Ohaini, financial secretary of the Village, Ediagbonya Christopher and Austin Omokaro; all coroborated the narrative of the Odionwere.
About Author
