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Ine Festival And The Development Of Issele-uku: A Historical Perspective
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
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Issele-Uku dynasties were of
the Benin origin from the first to the present the first being Ogie
(king) Uwadie who started the Issele-Uku kingdom, ruled from about 1230
to 1290 A.D. which was the first era. From thence the Issele – Uku
people have had 19 other kings which is now called Obi.9
The most
prominent and famous of them all was the last before the present who is
Obi (King) Osemene III. He schooled at Port Harcourt, and college in
Asaba. He worked with a host of companies, including the ministries in
Ibadan. He was a sportsman, played football from his high school days in
Port Harcourt, college in Asaba, Ize also played for the Western Rovers
of Ibadan, also played for Oba Akenzua II football club, Benin city, he
also played for the Benin eleven and also the Nigerian Green Eagles. He
played in the western royal team that played against the English
touring team of 1958 and the Nigeria Ghana matches.
He pulled down
the old relics of his father’s building which were near to ruins and
they were dilapidating, and he mounted a new modern building which is
still standing till present day. He was a member of the mid-western
house of Chiefs – 1964 to 1966 before the civil war broke out, and he is
a life member of the common – Wealth British overseas leagues.
The
Nigerian-Biafra war sent him on a temporary self exile to live in
Biafra. He left his place at Issele –Uku, but returned at the end of the
war in 1970 to continue his reign on the throne.
Most importantly,
during the FESTAC 77, which was famous for its wide recognition, and
which caught int’l attention. He went to Lagos where he presented the
famous Oba Esigie of Benin’s royal Bronze mask, which was given as a
royal gift by Oba Esigie to Obi Oligbo of Issele Uku kingdom. He was
invited by the Nigerian government with the mask, to be displayed in
FESTAC 77, after Oba Akenzua II of Benin had confirmed the historic
nature and value of the royal mask at Issele-Uku palace. The mask was
returned to Obi Osemene III at the end of the FESTAC 77, in Lagos.
SOME OF THE UMUEZE CHIMA TOWNS
Division started with Princess Obio the eldest child of Eze Ikhimi
(Chima), Prince Ohaeze grand son of Eze Chima and eldest son of Prince
Orisha (Onicha) who was the eldest son of Eze-Chima, but Oricha had died
while his father was still alive and reigning on the throne of
Issele-Uku.10
The history of Ezechima clan the Umu Ezechima was as a
result of a bitter quarrel between the direct descendants of King Chima
and his grand children at the King’s death at Issele – Uku. Over who
should bury the dead King Chima, and thereafter inherit the ancient
throne of Issele-Uku kingdom. This happened in 1505 and the quarrel
later generated in disintegration of Issele-Uku kingdom which was
originally created by Oba Eweka I of Benin in about 1230 AD.
Eze
Chima was the fifth King of Issele Uku kingdom and he reigned after his
father Eze Ise, who had substituted the word Ogie meaning king, to Eze
which means king in Edo also. The struggle for Issele – Uku kingdom was
between, Princess Obio, first daughter of Eze Chima. Prince Oligbo, who
became the only direct son after the death of his elder brother
Onicha-abo, but he was the second, and had an elder sister. The 3rd
person in contention was the surviving son of late Prince Onicha-abo;
the first son of Eze-Chima, (dead): who is a grandson of Eze Chima,
Prince Ohaeze. Prince Oligbo who was the only direct son won the case in
Benin, but the rest were compensated.
UMU-EZE CHIMA COMMUNITIES
The following towns will be listed in their order of importance.
ISI-ILE-UKU KINGDOM: (Issele-Uku) this is the original home of the children of Eze-Chima.
Obamkpa:
was formed by Obakpa who was a native doctor, but the land was later
invaded by Issele-Uku people and ruled by Prince Anagba the Second son
of Eze-Ise.
Onitsha – Milli: Founded by Prince Ohaeze, the son of the late first son of Eze Chima who lost to Oligbo in Benin.11
Obio Town: Founded by Princes Obio and her husband Chief Akogwu Ukpali of Issele-Uku, in a about 1507.
Onicha
Olona Town: This was the first town, Prince Ohaezo founded on Olulu –
Mkpitime deity, in 1502 before his final flight to settle permanently at
Onitsha Milli across the great River Niger in about 1q507 A.D which is
now located in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Abor Town: Founded by the
second son of Prince Onitsha, the late, first son of Eze Chima, who
accompanied his elder brother on his flight from Issele-Uku to
Onisha-MIlli but still wanted his own separate abode.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
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