As superiority tussle continues to rage between the Ogiamien Royal Palace and the Benin Traditional Council in Edo State, the Palace of the 24th OGIAMIEN of Igodomigodo, has come up to explain the paternity of their revered monarch, King Rich Arisco Osemwengie JP.
A release made available to the media after a press conference held at the Great Ogiamien Royal Palace On Sunday, 3rd July 2022, the palace said it became necessary to clear the air regarding some misconceptions about the stool and palace of the Ogiamien of Igodomigodo, which it said, predates all other dynasties including the Oba of Benin.
In the statement which was signed by the Director, Information and External Affairs of the Ogiamien Palace, High Chief Esotericist Monday Wehere JP, the palace averred that ‘His Imperial Majesty, Rich Arisco Osemwengie JP, OOS, the current 24th Ogiamien of Benin (Utantan), Kingdom, Benin City, Edo South, Igodomigodo land of Edo State is a direct scion of the Great Ogiamien Royal Dynasty’.
He disclosed that the monarch’s biological father, late Prince Daniel Osem is the direct male child of late Prince Orumwense Ogienor, adding that late Prince Orumwense Ogienor is the direct male child of Prince Ogienor Ekunwe; while late Prince Ogienor Ekunwe is the direct male child of Ogiamien Okhuanhenzuwa.
On the maternity of the king, the statement said: “Ogiamien Rich Arisco’s mother, late Mrs. Victoria Aimwenyeke Iroegbetin Osemwengie (Nee Ediagbonya Osawe) of Ilobi Village in Uhunmwonde LGA of Edo State, hails from the family of Iyase of Udo in Ovia South West LGA of Edo State”.
He went on: “We hope this will put to rest all the conflicting reports surrounding the true paternity of our king because no one can know the sea more than the fish.
“It is on record that Oba of Benin known as Oba Eweka the First and the area known as Benin Kingdom was leased to them by Ogiso/Ogiamien Erebo via the Memorable Ekiokpagha Treaty in 1200 AD.
“We want to call on Oba Ewuare II and his ignorant members to stop the campaign of calumny against our revered King, Ogiamien Rich Arisco Osemwengie JP, OOS, who invariably is the custodian of Igodomigodo land.
“For those who lived in glass house are advised not to throw stones, Oba Ewuare II should trade with caution, enough is enough. We are not dragging the stool of the Oba of Benin with him, He should stop dabbling into the affairs of the Ogiamien Royal stool and also stop describing same as sacrilegious, that is totally unacceptable”.
