Information AboutHrh Igwe Amobi I Of Ogidi |
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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 HM Queen Victoria of England. 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 noble, 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 title of ''Ozo'' 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 ceremony recorded in the Colonial Administrative Intelligence Book and witnessed by colonial officers representing the government of HM King Edward VII of England. 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 Prince Benjamin Olisaeloka Amobi who, as '''''HRH Igwe Amobi II of Ogidi''''', later represented the Colony & Protectorate of Nigeria at the coronation of HM King George VI of England 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:
Grandchildren include:
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. |
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