Igwe Amobi I of Ogidi
Encyclopedia : I : IG : IGW : Igwe Amobi I of Ogidi
His Royal Highness Igwe Amobi I of Ogidi (Okafor Okerulu Walter Watakwochaka Amobi, Ozo of Ogidi) (1838 - 18 December 1925) styled HRH The Igwe of Ogidi, was the first hereditary ruler of Ogidi, in the Igbo heartland of present-day Nigeria.
Background and early life
The progenitor of the Royal House of Amobi was born in 1838, eleven years before the Bight of Biafra was created a British Protectorate in the name of Queen Victoria of Britain.Amobi I grew up in the palace of the HRH The Ogene of Onitsha where he was educated by Christian missionaries. He was later active in the palace council of HRH The Obi of Onitsha and adjudicated in native courts there.
Later years
A wealthy and prosperous nobleman, the Igwe was appointed a Political Agent of Queen Victoria's Royal Niger Company in 1898 and had a contingent of soldiers at his command.He was instrumental in establishing peaceful and mutually beneficial contact between the RNC and the people of Ogidi and the greater Igbo hinterland.
Warrior and defender
Though peace-loving by nature, Amobi I proved a brave, able and resolute warrior in battle and at other times of conflict. His courageous leadership earned him the respect and gratitude of his people and those of neighbouring provinces.During this period, he was invested with the princely and ducal title of Ozo of Ogidi in recognition of his successes against Portuguese raiders striking inland from the Niger Delta, and indigenous soldiers attacking from provinces to the north.
Petitioned to the throne
In the ensuing years, Amobi I's acknowledged eminence and stature led to his counsel and judgment being sought, recognized and obeyed in the settlement of territorial disputes within the province.Thus, by the turn of the century, a tide of popular support had caused the Ozo to be petitioned to assume the formal kingship of Ogidi.
Enthronement and reign
On 9 July 1904, His Highness The Ozo of Ogidi was proclaimed and enthroned as His Royal Highness Igwe Amobi I of Ogidi in a coronation attended and recorded by representatives of the government of King Edward VII of Britain.Amobi I reigned as ruler of Ogidi for 21 years until his death on 18 December 1925.
Succession
Upon his death, he was succeeded by his eldest son, HRH The Prince Benjamin Olisaeloka Amobi who, as HRH Igwe Amobi II of Ogidi, later represented Nigeria at the coronation of King George VI of Britain in 1937.During Amobi II's long reign, he ruled wisely and, like his father, he maintained cordial relations with the rulers of other kingdoms and provinces including HRH The Oba of Benin, HRH The Obi of Onitsha, HRH The Oni of Ife and HRH The Oba of Lagos.
Descendants
Amobi I's children include:
- HRH The Prince Benjamin of Ogidi (later His Royal Highness Igwe Amobi II of Ogidi)
- HRH The Princess Mary of Ogidi
- HRH The Prince John of Ogidi
- HRH The Princess Elizabeth of Ogidi
- HRH The Prince Samuel of Ogidi
- HRH The Onowu II of Ogidi, Ernest Nzeadi Amobi
- HRH The Ezeamalu of Ogidi, Professor Clement Chibuzo Amobi
- HRH The Akunwafo of Ogidi, Ken Amobi
- HRH The late Prince Benedict Vincent Obiora Amobi, (later HRH Igwe Amobi III of Ogidi)
- Her late Highness, Princess Elizabeth Amobi
- HRH The Ogbuefi Ezemelue II of Ogidi, Mike Onuora Sam Amobi
- HRH The Ugonna of Ogidi, Uzo Amobi
- Her late Highness, Princess Comfort Odinchezo Amobi
- HRH The Igwe of Achalla, Alex Nwokedi
- HRH The Omeluora of Ogidi, Chinedu Amobi
- HRH Ogbuefi Uduezue of Ogidi, Onochie Amobi
The Royal House of Amobi today
The 101-year-old rule of Ogidi by the Royal House of Amobi continues through direct descendants of HRH Igwe Amobi I. In 2004, the Royal Centennial celebrations to commemorate his reign were marked with much pageantry and festivity.Historical and typographical accuracy of this biography was made possible with the assistance of:
Archival material from the Royal House of Amobi, The Guardian Newspaper of Nigeria, material from the National Archives of the United Kingdom, and Hansard - the United Kingdom Parliamentary record.
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.