OSAMWONYI/EWEKA FAMILY WISHES TO ANNOUNCE THE DEATH OF PRINCE BENJAMIN E. OSAMWONYI THE FOUNDER AND GENERAL ODIONWERE OF USELU-WEST,BENIN CITY, EDO, NIGERIA
Prince Benjamin Eweka Osamwonyi, the General Odionwere of Uselu-West, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria passed away on October 5, 2015 after a brief illness. He died at his home at No. 1 Osamwonyi Street, Uselu-West, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. He was survived by six children and several grandchildren and great-grandchilren.
He was 97 years old; born on February 15, 1918. He was also a faithful Jehovah’s Witness until his death. A member of the Royal Family of the Benin Kingdom, he was the son of Prince Osamwonyi Odia, who passed away on May 10, 1977; and Prince Benjamin Osamwonyi was the grandson of Oba (King) Adolo of Benin. Below is a brief history of the Osamwonyi and Eweka family.
Prince Osamwonyi Odia (1857-1977) was the son of Oba Adolo who ruled the Benin Empire from 1848 to 1888. For those who may not be familiar with the Benin Dynasty, Oba means King. Three of Oba Adolo’s children were
Prince Ovonranmwen Nogbaisi, Prince Osamwonyi Odia, and Prince Olorton. Prince Ovonramwen became the Oba in 1888 and ruled until 1897 when the British dethroned him after a war that devastated both the British imperialists and the Edo people (people of the Benin Empire).
The British Government and Monarchy then banished Oba Ovoranmwen in 1897 to Calabar (Cross River State), in Eastern Nigeria, where he later died in 1914. In the interregnum, the British appointed “Administrators” to govern the Benin Empire from 1897 to 1914. By permission of the British Government, the Benin Kingdom was restored in 1914 and Oba Ovonramwen’s son, Oba Eweka II, became King of Benin in 1914 and ruled until his death in 1933. Oba Eweka II’s oldest son became the King in 1933. His name was Oba Akenzua II, and he ruled the Benin Kingdom until his death in 1978. One of Oba Eweka II’s sons became the
Enogie (Crowned Prince) of Umoghun in Iyekorionmwon. Oba Akenzua II was the father of Oba Erediawa II, who was enthroned in 1979 and ruled the Benin Kingdom for decades. Prince Eheneden is in line to be crowned as the Oba of Benin after his father, Oba Erediawa II.
While Prince Olorton (Oba Adolo’s son) remained a Prince in Benin City, however, his brother Prince Osamwonyi (sometimes referred to as “Pa Osamwonyi Odia”) was dispatched by Oba Ovonramwen (his older brother and King at the time) to become the Enogie (Crowned Prince) of Egba around 1892. Prince Osamwonyi established a camp shortly thereafter at a location now called Eko-Ekpetin Village, which he later moved to permanently. Prince Osamwonyi Odia died on May 10, 1977 at Eko-Ekpetin. His funeral was weeks long (with a cow and several chickens and goats slaughtered daily) during the burial period; and with some of the most renowned Nigerian musicians performing live every night (including Sunny Ade, Victor Uwaifo, Fela Ransom Kuti, Ebenezer Obey, Sunny Okosun, Prince Nico Mbarga, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, and others etc.). At the time of his death in 1977, Prince Osamwonyi Odia had scores children and grandchildren.
One of Prince Osamwonyi’s children was Prince Benjamin Eweka Osamwonyi (who just passed away on October 5, 2015). He was the Founder and General Odionwere of Uselu-West, Benin City, Edo State; and he had governed the area since 1974. Prince Benjamin E. Osamwonyi married Princess Margaret Eweka-Osamwonyi, daughter of the Enogie (Crowned Prince) of Umoghun, and she was the granddaughter of Oba Eweka II; and she passed away on July 4, 2008.
Prince Benjamin Eweka Osamwonyi was a good father and guardian to all members of the Uselu-West area, which he governed. He was loved by all his subjects.
Prince Benjamin Osamwonyi has children in Europe, America, and Nigeria including: Prince Murphy Goodnews Osamwonyi, Prince John Okina Osamwonyi, Princess Bridget Eghosa Imarenakhue, Prince Bright Osamudiamen Osamwonyi, Princess Joy Osamwonyi Ederhi, and Prince Joe I. Osamwonyi Eweka. The Osamwonyi and Eweka family wishes to have a very simple funeral service in accordance with Prince Benjamin Eweka Osamwonyi’s faith as a Jehovah’s Witness. He will be buried today after the funeral service at one of the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Uselu-West; with no elaborate traditional festivities usually associated with Royal Burial.
Prince Joe Eweka and his siblings
For the entire family
