𝐀𝐠𝐡𝐨 𝐎𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐠𝐛𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟖𝟗𝟖-𝟏𝟗𝟏𝟒

Ogbede was from Agbor, Delta State Igboland. He was given the title “Obaseki” by Benin’s king, Idugbowa, for his business savviness, fair judgment, and truthfulness.

Unfortunately, Agho, the Obaseki of Benin, was put in-between a squeeze by his good friend the King of Benin after the British sacked Benin, an operation that took just 3 days. King Idugbowa had run away and left the Benin to suffer whatever fate the British decided for them. Ogbede couldn’t have such sorrow on his heart, especially after witnessing the high-handed treatment, human-rights abuse, and barbaric actions committed against the Benin people by their king. Ogbede alerted the British authorities to the location of the hiding king and King Idugbowa was arrested and thrown in jail.

Because of Ogbede’s love for the Benin people, his high level of moral and truthfulness (the same qualities King Idubowa saw in him), the British appointed him Administrator of Benin Kingdom where he ruled for about 15 years. Truly we need for great men like Agho Ogbede, who is the forefather of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.