His Royal Highness, Pa George Igbineweka Igbinovia is a direct descendant of Oba Ewuare I and the 30th Enogie (Duke) of Ogan Dukedom in Edo State. In this interview with Emmanuel Ikhenebome, HRH Igbinovia speaks on the numerous issues bordering on education, security situation, and the forthcoming Edo State governorship election as it affects his domain. Excerpts:
Tell us about yourself.
I am His Royal Highness (HRH), George Igbineweka Igbinovia, a direct descendant of Oba Ewuare I, and the 30th Enogie (Duke) of Ogan Dukedom. The Enogie of Ogan dynasty started in 1440 AD during the expansionist policy of Oba Ewuare I, and it was a war of conquest. In order to protect his son, ‘Ighiwiyisi’, who happens to be the 1st Enogie of Ogan, Oba Ewuare I planted a traditional shrine in the community called Izi-Uku, as a form of protection for the son from harm and also to make the land fertile for farming so the son (Ighiwiyisi) and his people would not go hungry. That dynasty we have carried on till this day.
As the Enogie of Ogan, how will you describe your relationship with neighbouring communities?
Yes, we have good relationship with our neighbours. We have Iguiya, Oloten, Uson, Ugbedun, and Abudu; even Alifekede community in Delta State. Where there are issues, where there are challenges, we sit down and address them in the interest of peace in our domain and the state, which we will continue to do.
What are you doing to sustain the existing peace within your dukedom?
There has been internal strife in the community, but that has long been resolved by this palace. In the past we were having squabbles within ourselves, but Ogan dukedom is stabilized now; we are all united. I ensured that all grievances and minor disputes are well addressed. Even when we had land dispute with our neighbour Oheze more than 15 years ago, we followed due process and we won the case. Even when our neighbour refused to abide by the dispute resolution, we have always maintained the path of peace till date.
There were cases of kidnappings in your domain recently, what are you doing to forestall future occurrence?
We have made series of presentations to the police when the Area Commander visited the dukedom. Also, to the Orhionmwon Local Government chairman. Machinery has been put in place to check all that, but we cannot say openly what measures or machinery, as it is a security matter.
Recently, the state government enacted a law prohibiting cultism and cult-related activities. What is your take?
As far as Ogan dukedom is concerned, the law is the law, and the law against cultism will not be different. We shall enforce the law to the letter to compliment Governor Godwin Obaseki’s fight against crime and criminalities in the state. Whatever policies and programmes put in place by the government will be followed in the dukedom.
There are issues with land grabbing in Edo South where we also have Ogan dukedom. How have you been able to manage it?
We don’t have issues when it comes to the menace of land grabbing or land grabbers in Ogan dukedom because we treat all land-related issues where there are problems with fairness and justice. We handle land cases seriously and accordingly where there are disputes to further compliment the state government’s effort in checking the menace to attract the needed development.
Vigilantes are the first port of call when it comes to policing communities. Any plan to activate the Ogan community vigilante group for effective operations?
There are measures already on ground to ensure Ogan community vigilante group is organized and empowered to actively carry out their duties of protection of lives and property in our domain. We are also encouraging members of the vigilante to go for more training for effective security operations within our community to further compliment the police.
What is the major challenge faced by your dukedom that you want the state government’s intervention?
Our dilapidated Ogan mixed secondary school that has been closed down for more than three years running. We have written series of letters to the Ministry of Education but to no avail. Officials at the education ministry are not helping the situation because they will allow private schools without licence to operate while public schools will be shut down. We are hereby appealing for the school to be reconstructed and brought back to life for our children. Government should come to our aid as education still remains the only instrument for change in the society.
The 2024 Edo State governorship election is around the corner, what’s your message to the people of Ogan dukedom?
Continuity! The people should always support the government of the day. They should support continuity in government. We are telling the people to vote en masse for Asue Ighodalo, the PDP governorship candidate. The ongoing palace building, as you can see here, and the new electricity transformer for the community are all the handiwork of Godwin Obaseki. We appreciate him greatly. Anytime we request anything from him, he always grant it and we want that relationship to continue.
