The Head of the Council of Traditional Rulers of the Urhobo Nation and the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM, Dr (OVIE) R. L. Ogbon, passed away at the age of 106.
The traditional council held a closed session on Friday at the Ohworode palace in Ogoni Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta, and announced the translation of the monarch.
We can report today that our Ohworode has returned to God, stated Otota of Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Macaulay Ovbagbedia. He led a wonderful life while giving his country and community excellent service.
He exclaimed, “We are celebrating and grieving since he was old, but it’s awful nonetheless.
Olorogun Albert Akpomudje SAN, the Akpile of Olomu Kingdom, said during his address to the council that the occurrence had caused the kingdom to enter a 21-day period of mourning during which there would be no funeral or wedding rituals.
According to him, chiefs should wear a black armband throughout the 21-day period of mourning rather than the customary red cap from now on.
A burial committee will be established, Olorogun Akpomudje continued, and the appropriate funeral procedures will be disclosed at a later time.
A thunderous 21 canon blasts were fired in conjunction with the announcement of the king’s changeover to mark the centenarian’s end as a monarch.
The Ema Dance Group of Olomu exited the royal father with a frantic song and dance performance before the declaration on Friday as well, much to the admiration of the chiefs.
Remember that the late Ohworode of Olomu celebrated his birthday on January 20 with thanksgiving following two months of age-related health issues.
The monarch was the only Anglican Royal Canon in the entire world.
In recognition of his contributions to education, he also received an honorary doctorate from Delta State University Abraka.
Ajuwe (My King), as he was frequently called until his passing, was still able to drive and read without glasses.
The monarch, who still had all of his teeth, was also the oldest man in the Ogoni Olomu Community (Okpako Orere).
The late monarch, who was born on January 20th, 1917, was baptized into the Anglican Communion in 1936. Once employed by the Bendel State Ministry of Education, he was a retired inspector of education.
At the age of 70, he succeeded his father as the 12th Ohworode in 1988.
During his rule, the kingdom saw incredible peace, growth, and development.
The last public event the late Ohworode participated in was a celebration of his 106th birthday called “Longevity King,” during which he sang songs of adoration to God and said that a man only dies when God permits it.
The monarch’s demeanor and his farewell speech on that day were unmistakably those of a departing eagle.
God, I thank you for your grace. Please open your ears and provide me a long life so that I might continually do what pleases you.
“Due to my absence, a lot of people came here today for a variety of reasons, but I’m here today to give thanks to God. Do God’s will and fear him. Call on God every day in whatever you do.
Make every effort to carry out God’s will for your life. Keep your hands clean, abstain from theft, and abstain from embezzling both public and private funds.
Avoid having sex with your relatives and other people’s wives. The monarch also advised against abusing alcohol and drugs. “Learn to love, forgive, and be free of malice.
Following the death of the eldest child, Princess Elizabeth Ogbon-Day, who served as Nigeria’s first female ambassador, the Ohworode had 12 children, but only 11 lived.
The Ohworode’s absence will be felt because of his dedication to quality, respect for the law, and loyalty to Urhobo culture.
