The Story Of The Benin's Kingdom In Connection To Oduduwa's Dynasty In Ile Ife!

EDO'S and the YORUBA'S are two ethnic groups divinely United through the destiny of EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA). ODUDUWA (EKALADERHAN) was the only son (prince) of OGISO OWODO (The 36TH OGISO of the OGISO Dynasty) of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN). The whole scenarios started more than a thousand years Ago in IGODOMIGODO ( Present day Benin City). The King who only had one male child (EKALADERHAN) and tens of daughters was very disturbed because of his only Son. So he send delegates to enquire why his wives could not have other male children. Among the delegates was one of the kings wife (ESAGHO) who had no child at all. On arrival and
consultation The Oracle revealed that it was the Kings wife (ESAGHO) who has been responsible for the king not having other male children through black magic hence she had none. The Oracle instructed that the woman should be used for sacrifice to the gods so that the rest women can have male children.

On their way back to the Kings palace, ESAGHO confronted the other delegates and vowed that She will tell the King that she was Raped by the delegates, such offence attract death penalty. So she compel them to say it was EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) who was the cause of the problem. On their arrival, the message was delivered to the KING as compelled by ESAGHO. When The King heard the message, he was aggrieved but he cannot stop the gods from executing it request. So EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) was sentenced to die as a sacrificial lamb for the rest of his father's wife to have male children as indicted by the wicked wife (ESAGHO) . On the sacrificial day, the young lad (EKALADERHAN-ODUDUWA) was handed over to the Executioner and he was taking to the forest to be executed, but the executioner did not slay him but broke the chain used
in binding him into two because of the love and affection he had for the proficient young prince.The young prince later ran toward the western part of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN). After weeks of continuous roaming in the jungle, he find him self in UGHOTON (GWATO-This place is situated in the western riverine area of Bight of Benin). After a shot while in
UGHOTON, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) realized that the place was a province of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN) because the EDO language was spoken there. So he left the place and moved further west until he find himself in ILE-IFE.

During this period, ILE- IFE was a conglomeration of principalities ruled over by smaller chiefs without any supreme ruler. OBATALA was one of the rulers in one of these principalities. At this same period, the YORUBA'S was constantly under attack by other rival tribes and they have been waiting for the Liberator King as prophesied by their Priest.
On arrival, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) coexisted with the people of the newly found land (ILE-IFE). First he started as an iron smith (OGUN) which is the main profession and Deity of the people of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN) , He was also into clothes making with cotton. It came to a time when ILE-IFE came under attack by their rival tribe and
EKALADERHAN'S (ODUDUWA) home was also attacked. But unfortunately,the invaders met a fierce resistance from EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA).The prince fought with all his might arming himself with the tools he made for sales.The invaders were later defeated and chased out of the town. He later organized and equipped some hundred of
YORUBA brave warriors with Iron weapons and leather shields and foot wears and invaded the land of the rivals Tribes. It was these series of battles that brought about EKALADERHAN'S (ODUDUWA) fame and recognition in ILE-IFE.

The leaders of ILE-IFE now invited EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) to their gathering and ask him who he was. He gave his name as ODE-UWA (which translates in EDO *Path to Wealth*) He further told them that he is the son of OGIE-ISO (The King of the sky) . The word *OGIE-ISO* is the Ruling title of Kings that rules IGODOMIGODO in those period) from the East . As they heard him,they quickly prostrated and shouted KABIKABI O because the YORUBA'S now believed he is the liberator king foretold by the Oracle. He was made KING over ILE-IFE and was given a wife. He had one son, called OKANBI, OKANBI had EIGHT children (Onipopo of Popo, Onisabe of Sabe, Alara of Ilara, Ajero of Ijero, Orangun of Oke-Ila, Owa Obokun Ajibogun of Ijesaland and Oranmiyan) by his "legal" wife, and one (OOni) by his slave turned wife, named ORUNTO.

After many years there was no peace in the kingdom of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN) after the death of the last OGISO ( OGISO-OWODO) because the KING has no other male child to succeed him. There was feud between the chiefs of whom will rule as KING. The People was left without a king for decades of years with EVIAN (The great monster buster) as interim leader. It came to a time when the chief priest consulted the Divine God (OGHENE). The God instructed the priest through an Oracle to design a compass made of palm fronds.The spirit of the kings was invoked on the compass and immediately the compass
moved towards the west trailing EKALADERHAN'S (ODUDUWA) path, The Prince whom they believe was still alive somewhere. Emissaries were sent along the compass. Few weeks later,the compass arrived at ILE-IFE and settled at the KING'S palace hovering at the entrance to the KING'S courtyard.

At the appearance of the KING,the compass swiftly moved the Bearer to the feet of OKANBI. During this time, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) was so old that he could no longer come out of his DEN. His Son OKANBI was in charge of the people affairs and he attended to the visitors from the East.The emissaries then delivered their message. after careful listening ,OKANBI convey the message to his Father (EKALADERHAN-
(ODUDUWA). When EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) heard the message, he ask his son OKANBI to bring them in to his Den for a chat. During the Chat, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) communicated with the emissaries in EDO language. He was so please to see his people once again after so many years in Exile in ILE-IFE. The emissaries requested the KING to comeback Home (IGODMIGODO) or ask one of his grand Sons to come
along with them to rule as their KING. EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) who was already too old burst into tears and told his chiefs that the visitors were from his fathers land (IGODOMIGODO-BENIN) in the East.

Remembering what led to his departure from his father land, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) decline their request because he had no trust on them because of what happened to him decades ago. But the emissaries begged with repentance and sincerity that they are changed people of a new generation. EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) now
gave them an option that they should return back to IGODOMIGODO (BENIN) with three LICE .He ask them to train the LICE for three years, that if the LICE can survive with them for three years, then he will give them one of his Grandson. The emissaries went back Home with Great Hope and kept the LICE in the hair of a Slave for three years. Three years later, the Emissaries shaved off the hair of the slave and removed the LICE in it. This time, the LICE has Increased from three to hundreds. The LICE was kept in a container and taking to ILE-IFE by the emissaries.

On their arrival, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) has already passed away. His Son OKANBI who has been acting instead of his Father EKALADERHAN-(ODUDUWA) attended to them. When OKANBI saw the hundreds of LICE, he was convince that the people has really changed and his appointed Son will be in safe hands. So he ask his son
ORANMIYAN to go with them. OKANBI felt that the troublesome people could be dealt by a warrior like ORANMIYAN who has, before then, had repeatedly proved his mettle. He believed that ORANMIYAN would be able to do the assignment and put the fear of IRASHA in the feuding Chiefs. ORANMIYAN was a great, valiant warrior, the Yoruba people of his era used to describe him as a true son of ODUDUWA after his grand father who was the first towering warrior in YORUBA LAND, He (ORANMIYAN) was the de facto ruler carrying out war activities and defending ILE-IFE.

On arrival at IGODOMIGODO (BENIN), ORANMIYAN's war like acts put the City in order. ORANMIYAN was in IGODOMIGODO for only few years. But he never could stay for ever as a result of the strange disputes and cases he presides among the people which come to him. Such cases which he has never heard or witness in ILE-IFE. He exclaimed with great puzzle by calling the people ILE-IBINU (Place of problem/quarel). The word which was later corrupted as UBINU and later to BENIN by the PORTUGUESE (1453AD.). He had a son called EWEKA by the Daughter of OGIE-EGO of EGO . As his adventurous spirit took the better part of him, he installed his son EWEKA and returned to
ILE-IFE with the hope of becoming king. On his return to ILE-IFE, It dawned on ORANMIYAN that he could not ascend the throne with his father's support for his brother, ONNI (OKANBI concubine's Son). He therefore left with his warriors towards North West to found OYO-AJAKA-Ajaka (pressent day OYO) and became the first Alaafin of OYO. His Son EWEKA ruled as the first OBA of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN) and a new Era of OBA DYNASTY begin to this day of OBA EREDIAWA (the
38th Oba Of Benin, now deceased). 

IF YOUR LANGUAGE RECOGNISES MONEY AS *IGHO* or EGHO*,. YOU ARE FROM IGODOMIGODO (BENIN CITY). THE PRESENCE OF YORUBA IN EVERY PART OF WESTERN NIGERIA CAME UP AS A RESULT OF ODUDUWA'S OCCUPATION AND HIS DESCENDANTS CONQUEST, NOT BY BIRTHS. THE CONQUERED PEOPLE WERE FORCED TO LEARN YORUBA CULTURE AND TRADITION. THIS LATER BECAME PART OF THEIR CENTURIES LATER FOR THEY WERE ALL UNDER THE RULE OF ODUDUWAS SONS AND HIS PROMINENT WARRIORS. THE PRESENT EDO PEOPLE IN ALL PARTS OF THE MIDWESTERN NIGERIA CAME AS A RESULT OF BIRTHS AND MIGRATION DUE TO OVER POPULATION IN THE CENTRAL CITY OF IGODOMIGODO (BENIN CITY). PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYONE IN YOUR FRIENDS LIST AND ADDRESS BOOK. 

OBA GHA TO KPEREE, ISE! Compiled by Nosakhare Edwin Idehen.

Note: Rebuttals, corrections, contributions, clarifications will be appreciated!

Why you don't use Benin instead of Edo?

You can do well by explaining the reason why
the head of your generational kings must be buried in ile-ife after kicking the bucket until the act was stopped recently....I will be expecting your reply sir!

I guess TAO has chased you away from Culture section after thorough defeat of Edo phantom stories.


Your Oba worshipped Oghene and praised his ancestors in Ife every morning when he wakes up to face the sun. Did he not?



Tao
Tao11
Tao12

Listen good, Mr Nairaland fabricator, aka tomakint:

(1) The idea that Ekaladerhan is Oduduwa was first made-up out of inferiority complex by the Edos in the 1970s.

The Edo guys involved in this fabrication are:
(a) S.B. Omoregie' "Edo History", 1970 (b) E. Akenzua's "Benin was never a Republic", 1971 (c) D.U. Edebiri's "Whence the Igodomidos", 1970, and (d) A. Iyare's "Bini, Ife Dynasties", 1973.

As is to be expected in their amateurish works, they could not name a single source or informant for their totally strange account.

To make it all worse, during his coronation of 1978-9, the incoming Omo N'Oba N'Edo (Oba Erediauwa) announced this unsubstantiated fabrication for the first time to the Edo public. He also did that out of a mix inferiority as well as political/legal necessity against the Ogiamen lawsuit.

(2) However, this fabrication of attempting to equate Ekaladerhan as one and the same person as Oduduwa has been debunked and trashed (in academia) as a hoax, that is -- an interesting nonsense.

For example, D. M. Bondarenko who is the world's leading authority on precolonial Benin History today has the following to say on pages 67-68 of his "Advent of the Second (Oba) Dynasty" in relation to this fabricated account:

"Finally, there are the apocryphal versions of Benin oral tradition [wherein] Ekaladerhan ... later ... left Gwato for Ife. ... and became her first ruler under the name of Oduduwa.

However, a student of ancient Benin might feel obliged to reject the apocryphal versions without hesitation as deliberately unauthentic.

There are no their records made before the early 1970s* , while among common people the story of Ekaladerhan that ends with the Prince's banishing from Benin and subsequent dethronement of his father, the last Ogiso Owodo, is known (and was recorded hundred years ago)*. There is no doubt that the apocryphal versions are not ancient and are not popular. Their authors are representatives of the nationalistically-minded part of the Bini intelligentsia who are seeking to ground the idea of an exceptional antiquity for their people and claims for its exclusive part in the sociopolitical life of independent Nigeria*. Behind such pseudohistorical studies by intellectuals, as if harmless, one can make out serious problems of the country, interests of political clans based on their members' ethnic community*."

(3) On the contrary to the above obvious 1970s fabrication on Ekaladerhan, Bini traditions has long been recorded by Europeaans to the effect that the Oba dynasty of Benin originated from Ife.

For example, Oba EwekaII in the 1920s had informed an European visitor, H.L. Ward-Price that his Lord&God (in human flesh) lives in Ife.

He added that he must pray to this "Oghene" every morning (at the illumination of the first sun rays at dawn), before he prays to the Alaafin, before he then prays for himself, and then for all Yoruba kings.

See: H.L. Ward-Price, Dark Subjects (London, 1939), p.238.

(4) A final example will be on the tradition of sending certain remains of deceased Benin Kings (their heads to be precise) back to Ife for burial at a designated site for the purpose.

(a) The Bini traditional Chief J. Uwadiae Egharevba (who is the first indigenous Edo to document Bini traditions from the 1930s) documented this custom too. He writes:

"The head of the royal corpse was subsequently exhumed and taken to the royal ancestral grave at Ile-Ife; but this was done in every third reign."

J.U. Egharevba, Benin Law and Custom, (CMS Niger Press, Port Harcourt, 1946), p.72.

(b) Dr. R.E. Bradbury (who devoted years to intensive anthropological field work on Benin and the Edo-speaking peoples, and who is the outstanding authority on the subject) is also said to have documented similar customs while among the Binis.

A.F.C. Ryder notes on footnote 10 of his "A Reconsideration of the Ife and Benin Relationship" as follows:

"In a personal communication, Dr R.E. Bradbury points out that 'the Edo speak of the messengers who carried the Oba's remains to Ife taking about three years over the journey."

(c) Frank Willett is also noted to have said that the last ocassion of the practice of sending the exhumed heads of Benin Kings to Ife was in the year 1888.

D.M. Bondarenko makes a note of this statement in his "Advent of the Second (Oba) Dynasty" as follows:

"These sources point at the Benin Oba's succession from the Ooni of Ife expressed in ritual forms. Particularly, "as a recognition of this fact deceased rulers' heads were sent to Ife for burial at Orun-Oba-Ado site ... last time this happened in 1888. In its turn, a bronze depiction of the head was usually sent back from Ife to Benin" (Willett 1982:22)."

Peace!

johnmartus:
Why you don't use Benin instead of Edo?

Benin and Edo are different races and ancestry.

Benin is Yoruba, the rulers. Edo is the slave stock that were kept to serve the rulers.

In modern politics and socio economics, Edo is trying to shake off its past. It is attempting, with noise and force, to rewrite its past and erase Benin.

Yes that is why I said he should have used Benin so people will understand him .

MetaPhysical:


Benin and Edo are different races and ancestry.

Benin is Yoruba, the rulers. Edo is the slave stock that were kept to serve the rulers.

In modern politics and socio economics, Edo is trying to shake off its past. It is attempting, with noise and force, to rewrite its past and erase Benin.

Small Benin go dey re write history anyhow, lol

so Edo are ordinary slave, if so why do they like making trouble(the ones i've seen). A slave is expected to be alway gentle and obedient!

Summary Pleaseeeeee

johnmartus:
Why you don't use Benin instead of Edo?

He wants to tell more fabricated Children lies.

This is a Tale of Tortoise.

SaintBeehot:
so Edo are ordinary slave, if so why do they like making trouble(the ones i've seen). A slave is expected to be alway gentle and obedient!

Just bold face.

airmirthd1:
Summary Pleaseeeeee

Too much talk is a lie.

orisa37:





Just bold face.

go deeper bro

ODU-DU-WA IS A BOND OF CHARACTER, A NEPHILIM CREATURE OF OLO-DU-MARE, THE CREATOR AND OWNER OF THE COVENANT BOND OF CREATION..

ODUDUWA WAS CONTEMPORANEOUS WITH ADAM.

ODUDUWA WAS A MIRACLE THAT PRE AND POSTDATED THE GENERAL FLOOD OF NOAH.

ORUNTO IS A MASCULINE GENDER IN YORUBA.

ILE-IFE IS A LAND OF CHARITIES.

ODU MEANS BOND OR COVENANT.

DU MEANS SEARCH FOR.

IWA MEANS CHARACTER.THEREFORE ODUDUWA IS THE BOND OR COVENANT OF CHARACTER THAT OLODUMARE, GOD, MADE WITH THE YORUBAS.

IN OTHER WORDS, ODUDUWA IS OLUWA(LORD) OF YORUBAS. OLODUMARE IS OLORUN (GOD) OF YORUBAS..


From Orunto27

SaintBeehot:
go deeper bro

I mean "ATETE MOLE OLE MOLOKO". "OGBOJU OLE LO NKA WU". BEFORE THE YORUBAS DISGRACE THE BENIS BY TELLING THEM THEIR TRUE HISTORY, THE BENIS HAVE STARTED LYING. IT'S A SHAMELESS THIEF THAT'LL COME FROM NOWHERE INTO YOUR COMPOUND WHILE YOU'RE THERE AND START REMOVING YOUR WASHING ON YOUR LINES..

orisa37:





I mean "ATETE MOLE OLE MOLOKO". "OGBOJU OLE LO NKA WU". BEFORE THE YORUBAS DISGRACE THE BENIS BY TELLING THEM THEIR TRUE HISTORY, THE BENIS HAVE STARTED LYING. IT'S A SHAMELESS THIEF THAT'LL COME FROM NOWHERE INTO YOUR COMPOUND WHILE YOU'RE THERE AND START REMOVING YOUR WASHING ON YOUR LINES..

that one is normal for them (lies) It's better we tell them now before they feel their fathers had land somewhere.

SaintBeehot:
that one is normal for them (lies) It's better we tell them now before they feel their fathers had land somewhere.

I agree. Thanks. In fact, The Edo behave as if they have nothing in common with Yoruba. its therefore Rudeness for. Edo to dabble into writing History for Yorubas. Ewuare should tell his Amateur Historians and Writers to stop the nonsense.

From Orunto27. thanks

Lol
They have come to recycle this debunked story again

Yoruba and Benin Kingdoms: 
The missing gap of history
 
By
 
Kunle Sowunmi 
 
culled from VANGUARD Thursday, May 20, 2004 

The source of Yoruba from Benin is very authentic.

THE statement credited to Oba Erediauwa Omonoba Uku
Akpolokpolo, that the Yoruba race originated from
Benin Kingdom, was very rich in details and calls for
re-examination by historians of high repute from all
the Nigerian Universities and recognised institutions
not from uneducated and bias sources of chambers or
shrines of some Obas or traditional rulers as
presently being envisaged or contemplated. The
statement from Ooni of Ife disputing the fact of Oba
of Benin was not strong enough.

I was fascinated by the different versions of
uncoordinated folk stories we were told about the
origin of the Yoruba.  As a Yoruba man from Abeokuta I
was told Oduduwa was the first man created by God just
like the Bible said Adam and Eve were the first to be
created by God.

The Bible says Cain the only surviving child of Adam
and Eve went to another city called Nod to marry his
wife. The question is who created the wife, the wife's
parents or the family of the in-law if any. Just like
I asked in my innocent mind as a student in the
primary school then who created Oduduwa and how did
Oduduwa marry his wife? My Teacher never told me the
answer.  We were even told Oduduwa was the son of
Lamurudu from far East in Saudi Arabia and that some
of  ourYoruba cousin can be found in Uganda.  Many
conflicting stories which are very difficult to prove
or  binding on history.

These are some of the missing gaps of history.

 Oduduwa had sixteen children we were told and the
eldest was Orangun of Ila and the Egbas in Abeokuta
were descendants of the female child of Oduduwa named
Alaketu. None ever disputed the fact that Oranmiyan
the last born of Oduduwa also ruled the Benin Kingdom.
Why did Benin allowed the last child of Oduduwa to be
made a king over them or his descendants, if there was
no blue blood connection?  Oba of Benin gave a
detailed account of fact of history that are very
difficult to dispute.

The Yoruba share so many things in common with the
Edo's in names and culture, which must be the reason
why it is very difficult to dispute the version of
Omonoba Uku Akpolokpolo

Again, to the Bible, Adam and Eve never told or shown
Cain the only surviving child the Garden of Eden where
God created them, just like Oduduwa never shown the
place and real evidence how he was created by God.
Archeologically, the Yoruba race is not more than 2000
years meaning other tribes existed before the Oduduwa
appearance. None availability of any other serious
fact to negate this lend credibility to Oba Benin's
version.

Two  versions of  history

Both version of History from Oba of Benin and Yoruba
agreed that Oramiyan the last son of Oduduwa returned
to Ife from Benin after he installed his son, Eweka
the first as Oba of Benin.  He met  his father Oduduwa
who was very advanced in age and blind, more also all
properties had been shared and distributed among his
fifteen brothers and sisters. Alternatively, seven
brothers according to Oba of Benin, Oduduwa was at a
dilemma on what to do because he assumed Benin Kingdom
would be enough as Oranmiyan's inheritance. Both
version of history agreed that the name Benin meant
"the land of the annoyed" because Oranmiyan left the
place in annoyance. Again, Oba of Benin was right on
this. 

Oduduwa found an easy way out. He gave Oranmiyan his
staff as symbol to show his brothers and sisters to be
able to collect ten percent of revenue derived from
yearly harvest through out Yoruba land. With this,
Oranmiyan was able to collect over 150 percent of all
the returns throughout the uncoordinated kingdom.
Oduduwa also grudgingly agreed to allow his last son
Oranmiyan to be king at Ile Ife after his death. The
reason for this was unknown as this was against the
custom and tradition of giving priority to first child
or son who was Ila of Irangun.  On the other hand,
could it be said that Orangun was too afraid to
challenge his junior brother or Oranmiyan was indeed
the senior? This is something the present Orangun of
Ila should explain.

Oduduwa was primarily a priest and voodoo man. It is
said until today that it is only one day that is free
of ritual worship in Ile Ife and the day is never made
public. Oduduwa took vacation just for one day. In one
of the ritual ceremonies where nobody was allowed to
be seen outside, a foreign woman of no means of
tracing her background was captured and was to be used
as scarifices for the gods. She was later spared
because she was found to be pregnant beside, it was
against ritual requirement. The child from the woman
was dedicated to the gods and act as a servant to
assist Oduduwa in his day-to-day ritual and voodoo
job. The child was named Ooni: meaning "this is Spared
One"

After the death of Oduduwa his son, Oranmiyan was
invited to take over the job of his father, which was
primarily ritual and voodoo, as well as traditional
ruler of Ile Ife. Oranmiyan refused because he had
succeeded in building an economically viable place at
Oyo Ile with administratively sound method of
government around the Oyomesi council in chief and it
would be degrading to leave this and move to Ile Ife
to be involved in  daily ritual sacrifices.

 Oranmiyan gave a condition that he must be buried at
Ife to symbolise his right to Ife thrown. It was on
condition of this that Ooni  the son of the slave
woman that was captured and dedicated to gods that was
assisting Oduduwa continued the work of Oduduwa at
Ife. This is the reason why ALafin of Oyo will never
accept Ooni of Ife as a king or a superior in any
Yoruba gathering of Obas.

Ooni's assumed superiority was a British creation
because the King of England assumed a king at Ife, the
 cradle of Yoruba, must be superior to all Obas just
like the British did in Abeokuta by imposing Alake's
superiority over other Obas at Abeokuta. In case of
Egbas, Sorunke who led the Egbas from Ibadan to the
present Abeokuta was from Oke Ona, where Oba Tejuoso
is the King. This is the reason why there is conflict
between Alake and Osile till date.

Oranmiyan was buried at Ife and not at Oyo, which is
the reason for the Opa Oranyan at Ife till today. Ooni
was not a true son or direct descendant of Oduduwa and
his title was not recognised. Ooni was just his name
which became his title. Ooni like other Yoruba Obas
paid duties to Oranmiyan during and after the death of
Oduduwa.

 This practice stopped after the Oyo Empire was
destroyed. It is rather difficult to accept the Ooni's
version as against the Omonoba Polopolo.  Oranmiyan
was a belligerent person. A war hero and where his
brothers and sister refused to give the yearly ten
percent duty as agreed with the staff of Oduduwa he
would use force. He later appointed his
representatives in each of the kingdoms of Yoruba to
monitor the returns, thus the creation of Oyo Empire
that led to the end of the kingdom Oduduwa created
which was not properly coordinated. The new empire
grew with amazing rapidity throughout West Africa and
was like the Ghana or Shonghai Empire of the medieval
history in the south of Sahara. Oyo Empire started
slave trade to weaken opposition.

An administration like the British

Oranmiyan's administration was the best in Africa and
could be likened to the British system of
Administration during the colonial government. The
empire expanded up to the present Benin republic.
Those who escaped the control of Alafin are the
Yorubas living in Benin Republic, which was formerly
Dahomey, On the East side, Oranmiyan never bothered
Benin Kingdom because of his son, and his son never
looked for him. At least there was no record of
history of any transaction between father and son.
Benin Kingdom continued to progress and Oyo Empire
continued to expand to the west coast. In Lagos, there
could not be a clash, it was a place of reunion for
Edo's and Yoruba it was said Eko, which is Lagos, and
in our local dialect is a Benin word.

Oyo Empire later suffered from over expansion and some
local hero started to emerge to challenge the
authority of the Oyo kingdom or that of the Alafin of
Oyo. Among them was the Lisabi Agboagbo Akala who
liberated the Egbas from Oyo Empire to create a
fearless Egba Kingdom.

 Lisabi was never a king. In fact, he was murdered by
the Alake of Egbaland because of his popularity. Egbas
as a kingdom with its own National Anthem "Lori Oke
ati Pele" was merged with Nigeria by the British
Empire after 1914. In addition, Lagelu emerged from
Ibadan, Ogendegbe from Ijeshaland and Shou of
Ogbomosho and Ilorin through the deserter Chief of
Army Staff of Oyo who was killed by Alimi a Fulani;
thus, the end of Oyo Empire. The attack from the
Sokoto Caliphate from the North finally nailed the
coffin of the Oyo Empire.The collapse of the Oyo
Empire led to the Yoruba Wars.  The present Oyo town
has nothing to do with Old Oyo town, it was just a new
creation to symbolise the memory of the Old.

The Egbas and Ijebus took over the control of
southwest towards the Atlantics because of lucrative
slave trade and closeness to the white man. The
emergence of western civilisation further weakened the
Old Oyo empire, the empire collapsed and the ruminants
of it can still be found at the old site. The irony of
it is  Alafin of Oyo in the present Oyo town 
continued to  live in the memory of his ancestors'
glory of the Old Oyo empire.

In conclusion, Ooni who is not a direct son or
descendants of Oduduwa cannot be considered viable in
this discussion, but Alafin of Oyo must examine his
place in history and that of his senior brother
Orangun of Ila the first son who had disappeared into
history because he never challenged Oranmiyan. The
abdication of the thrown is a loss of right. However,
can a son be greater than his father? or can a river
be greater than its source? The source of Yoruba from
Benin is very authentic than Saudi Arabia or Lamurudu,
which cannot be traced, in Saudi Arabian history.

https://www.edo-nation.net/sowunmi1.htm

Benin Kingdom in Edo is Yoruba territory — Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi
February 10, 2016Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Tuesday said Benin Kingdom in Edo State remained part of the expansive Yoruba race, a pronouncement that may spark fresh rivalry and altercation between people of the two ancient kingdoms.
The monarch made the comment in reaction to a statement credited to the palace of the Oba of Benin challenging the claim by the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo, that the Ooni of Ife remained the pre-eminent spiritual leader in Yorubaland and environs.
Oba Ogunwusi, via a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, made available to PREMIUM TIMES, said he was not interested in any supremacy battle with anyone but that he would continue to put the records straight and avoid distortion of history from any quarters.

The monarch said going by historical evidence detailing the Oduduwa lineage, Benin Kingdom remained part and parcel of Oduduwa House.
“We in Oduduwa land have always seen and regarded our people in Benin kingdom as part and parcel of Oduduwa House. They are our brothers and sisters, coupled with historical facts to back up this position,” Ooni Ogunwusi said.
“The statement credited to the Alake of Egbaland, did not emanate from us but the reality is that as a highly experienced and well informed monarch, Kabiyesi Alake, who is a bonafide Oodua descendant is entitled to his opinion based on his knowledge and understanding of history,” the Ooni said.

“Let me emphasize for the umpteenth time that Kabiyesi Ooni is less concerned over any supremacy hullabaloo. He is only interest for now in how the sacred throne of Oduduwa can explore measures through which the collective interest and genuine unity among Yoruba and other tribes within the larger House of Oduduwa can be enhanced.
“This informed his resolve to build bridges of harmony among Yourba Obas. I am resolutely committed to how Yoruba ethnic group can restore its glory and pride of position among other ethnic inclinations in Nigeria and don’t want to be dragged into supremacy contest or join issues with anybody.”
The traditional ruler said he recalled that about six years ago, attempt was made by some people to upturn history during the launch of a book titled: I REMAIN SIR, YOUR OBEDIENT SERVANT, which he said stood historical facts on its head.
Oba Ogunwusi stated that If the position espoused by the Oba of Benin Palace in the media “is aimed at distancing our people in Benin from the South West and Yoruba, so be it.”

He however added, “We still identify with them as our kinsmen, regardless of the attempt to change the course of history.”
The Alake had, while hosting the Oba Ogunwusi in his palace on February 7, rated the Ooni as the number one monarch in Yorubaland and other territories considered part of the Oduduwa House.
In his rating, Oba Gbadebo said Oba Ogunwusi was number one of the five principal Obas in Yorubaland, followed by the Alaafin of Oyo, then by the Oba of Benin (in third position), the Alake of Egbaland (fourth) and the Awujale of Ijebuland (fifth).

But in a swift reaction on Tuesday, the Esogban of Benin and Odionwere of the Kingdom, David Edebiri, rejected the ranking, saying the Ooni of Ife was a son of the Oba of Benin and that the Oba of Benin stool has no relationship with the Yoruba race.
The Esogban said, “We wanted to discard this report as something that was not necessary at all. We do not see how the Alake of Egbaland suddenly woke up to think that the Oba of Benin is also a Yoruba Oba.
“There is no basis for such classification; Oba of Benin has nothing to do with the Yoruba Obas. It is simply unnecessary, unless they simply want to stir up an unnecessary controversy.
“We are not in Yorubaland. To be frank, it is because many of them are not willing to come up with the truth, the word Oba is alien to Yoruba monarchy; it is not part of their title from time immemorial.
“For instance, the one they call the Oba of Lagos, these are recent adaptations. In the 50s, there was no Oba of Lagos, what we had was the Eleko of Eko. That is the title of the King there. In Ibadan, you have the Olu Ibadan. You come to Abeokuta, you have the Alake of Egba land. You come to Oyo, you have the Alaafin of Oyo. In Ilesha, you have the Owa-Obokun of IIesha. So no Yoruba monarch had as part of his titles the word Oba except the Oba of Benin.

“That word Oba is indigenous to Benin. It is only in recent times you find everybody bearing Oba. When the Western Regional conference of traditional rulers took place in Benin City in 1942, go and check the attendance, there was no other monarch in the whole of the Western Region then that bore the title of Oba, except the Oba of Benin.
“So it is an unnecessary excursion, an unnecessary attempt to turn history upside down by the Alake by classifying the Oba of Benin as third in the hierarchy of kings.
“Our own traditional history says that the Ooni of Ife was a Benin Prince who wandered from here to Ife, settled there and became the ruler there. That is the position, if they don’t know, they should send people here; we will teach them.

“We will show them landmarks. So this is unnecessary misrepresentation of history. Maybe the Alake wanted to mention a different place and not Benin.
“The monarchical rulership in this part of the world started from Benin during the era of the Ogisos. It was the son of the last Ogiso, Owodo, that wandered from here to Ife and he became a ruler there, carrying everything about the Benin monarchical system to that place. There is no basis for such classification.
“The Ooni of Ife, by historical facts, is a son of the Oba of Benin, so they are not in the same class. The Oba of Benin is the only one that answers Oba, the rest don’t. But today, we hear Oba here and there, they are all recent adaptations. I am saying categorically that the word Oba is indigenous to Benin and not to Yoruba nation.”

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/198255-benin-kingdom-edo-yoruba-territory-ooni-ife-adeyeye-ogunwusi.html

tomakint, how much do you get paid for every Benin lie you post on Nairaland?

Aren't you ashamed that everyone can already see through your Benin lies??

Or perhaps you and the Esogban/Odionwere of Benin, David Edebiri have no shame??

In the Edo language, the word "Oba" has no etymological derivation for "King", "Monarch", or "Ruler", etc.

The reason is simple, it is not indigenous to the Edo language. It was loaned into the Edo lexicon from Yoruba language.

I challenge you to put forward the etymology of the word "Oba" from the Edo language.

On the other hand, the Yoruba word "Oba" comes from the Yoruba root "Ba" which means "To reign-supreme".

In effect, the word "Oba" simply signify "The one who reigns supreme".

The use of "Oba" for your Yoruba monarchs is ancient. It goes back to ancient Ife and can be seen in ancient desingantions such as: Oba Iwinrin, et al.

Numerous written examples of the use of "Oba" can also be found in S. Johnson's work (completed 1897) in reference to Oyo monarchs whom he was largely focusing on.

Moreover, your Benin Kings (who of course trace their roots to Ife) attend meetings entitled "Conference of Yoruba Chiefs". Make from this fact whatever you wish.

I think you should start scouting afresh for another job, because I'm already causing you to loose this propaganda job. Your employer must already be contemplating on how to replace you soon.

tomakint:
Yoruba and Benin Kingdoms: 
The missing gap of history
 
By
 
Kunle Sowunmi 
 
culled from VANGUARD Thursday, May 20, 2004 

The source of Yoruba from Benin is very authentic.

THE statement credited to Oba Erediauwa Omonoba Uku
Akpolokpolo, that the Yoruba race originated from
Benin Kingdom, was very rich in details and calls for
re-examination by historians of high repute from all
the Nigerian Universities and recognised institutions
not from uneducated and bias sources of chambers or
shrines of some Obas or traditional rulers as
presently being envisaged or contemplated. The
statement from Ooni of Ife disputing the fact of Oba
of Benin was not strong enough.

I was fascinated by the different versions of
uncoordinated folk stories we were told about the
origin of the Yoruba.  As a Yoruba man from Abeokuta I
was told Oduduwa was the first man created by God just
like the Bible said Adam and Eve were the first to be
created by God.

The Bible says Cain the only surviving child of Adam
and Eve went to another city called Nod to marry his
wife. The question is who created the wife, the wife's
parents or the family of the in-law if any. Just like
I asked in my innocent mind as a student in the
primary school then who created Oduduwa and how did
Oduduwa marry his wife? My Teacher never told me the
answer.  We were even told Oduduwa was the son of
Lamurudu from far East in Saudi Arabia and that some
of  ourYoruba cousin can be found in Uganda.  Many
conflicting stories which are very difficult to prove
or  binding on history.

These are some of the missing gaps of history.

 Oduduwa had sixteen children we were told and the
eldest was Orangun of Ila and the Egbas in Abeokuta
were descendants of the female child of Oduduwa named
Alaketu. None ever disputed the fact that Oranmiyan
the last born of Oduduwa also ruled the Benin Kingdom.
Why did Benin allowed the last child of Oduduwa to be
made a king over them or his descendants, if there was
no blue blood connection?  Oba of Benin gave a
detailed account of fact of history that are very
difficult to dispute.

The Yoruba share so many things in common with the
Edo's in names and culture, which must be the reason
why it is very difficult to dispute the version of
Omonoba Uku Akpolokpolo

Again, to the Bible, Adam and Eve never told or shown
Cain the only surviving child the Garden of Eden where
God created them, just like Oduduwa never shown the
place and real evidence how he was created by God.
Archeologically, the Yoruba race is not more than 2000
years meaning other tribes existed before the Oduduwa
appearance. None availability of any other serious
fact to negate this lend credibility to Oba Benin's
version.

Two  versions of  history

Both version of History from Oba of Benin and Yoruba
agreed that Oramiyan the last son of Oduduwa returned
to Ife from Benin after he installed his son, Eweka
the first as Oba of Benin.  He met  his father Oduduwa
who was very advanced in age and blind, more also all
properties had been shared and distributed among his
fifteen brothers and sisters. Alternatively, seven
brothers according to Oba of Benin, Oduduwa was at a
dilemma on what to do because he assumed Benin Kingdom
would be enough as Oranmiyan's inheritance. Both
version of history agreed that the name Benin meant
"the land of the annoyed" because Oranmiyan left the
place in annoyance. Again, Oba of Benin was right on
this. 

Oduduwa found an easy way out. He gave Oranmiyan his
staff as symbol to show his brothers and sisters to be
able to collect ten percent of revenue derived from
yearly harvest through out Yoruba land. With this,
Oranmiyan was able to collect over 150 percent of all
the returns throughout the uncoordinated kingdom.
Oduduwa also grudgingly agreed to allow his last son
Oranmiyan to be king at Ile Ife after his death. The
reason for this was unknown as this was against the
custom and tradition of giving priority to first child
or son who was Ila of Irangun.  On the other hand,
could it be said that Orangun was too afraid to
challenge his junior brother or Oranmiyan was indeed
the senior? This is something the present Orangun of
Ila should explain.

Oduduwa was primarily a priest and voodoo man. It is
said until today that it is only one day that is free
of ritual worship in Ile Ife and the day is never made
public. Oduduwa took vacation just for one day. In one
of the ritual ceremonies where nobody was allowed to
be seen outside, a foreign woman of no means of
tracing her background was captured and was to be used
as scarifices for the gods. She was later spared
because she was found to be pregnant beside, it was
against ritual requirement. The child from the woman
was dedicated to the gods and act as a servant to
assist Oduduwa in his day-to-day ritual and voodoo
job. The child was named Ooni: meaning "this is Spared
One"

After the death of Oduduwa his son, Oranmiyan was
invited to take over the job of his father, which was
primarily ritual and voodoo, as well as traditional
ruler of Ile Ife. Oranmiyan refused because he had
succeeded in building an economically viable place at
Oyo Ile with administratively sound method of
government around the Oyomesi council in chief and it
would be degrading to leave this and move to Ile Ife
to be involved in  daily ritual sacrifices.

 Oranmiyan gave a condition that he must be buried at
Ife to symbolise his right to Ife thrown. It was on
condition of this that Ooni  the son of the slave
woman that was captured and dedicated to gods that was
assisting Oduduwa continued the work of Oduduwa at
Ife. This is the reason why ALafin of Oyo will never
accept Ooni of Ife as a king or a superior in any
Yoruba gathering of Obas.

Ooni's assumed superiority was a British creation
because the King of England assumed a king at Ife, the
 cradle of Yoruba, must be superior to all Obas just
like the British did in Abeokuta by imposing Alake's
superiority over other Obas at Abeokuta. In case of
Egbas, Sorunke who led the Egbas from Ibadan to the
present Abeokuta was from Oke Ona, where Oba Tejuoso
is the King. This is the reason why there is conflict
between Alake and Osile till date.

Oranmiyan was buried at Ife and not at Oyo, which is
the reason for the Opa Oranyan at Ife till today. Ooni
was not a true son or direct descendant of Oduduwa and
his title was not recognised. Ooni was just his name
which became his title. Ooni like other Yoruba Obas
paid duties to Oranmiyan during and after the death of
Oduduwa.

 This practice stopped after the Oyo Empire was
destroyed. It is rather difficult to accept the Ooni's
version as against the Omonoba Polopolo.  Oranmiyan
was a belligerent person. A war hero and where his
brothers and sister refused to give the yearly ten
percent duty as agreed with the staff of Oduduwa he
would use force. He later appointed his
representatives in each of the kingdoms of Yoruba to
monitor the returns, thus the creation of Oyo Empire
that led to the end of the kingdom Oduduwa created
which was not properly coordinated. The new empire
grew with amazing rapidity throughout West Africa and
was like the Ghana or Shonghai Empire of the medieval
history in the south of Sahara. Oyo Empire started
slave trade to weaken opposition.

An administration like the British

Oranmiyan's administration was the best in Africa and
could be likened to the British system of
Administration during the colonial government. The
empire expanded up to the present Benin republic.
Those who escaped the control of Alafin are the
Yorubas living in Benin Republic, which was formerly
Dahomey, On the East side, Oranmiyan never bothered
Benin Kingdom because of his son, and his son never
looked for him. At least there was no record of
history of any transaction between father and son.
Benin Kingdom continued to progress and Oyo Empire
continued to expand to the west coast. In Lagos, there
could not be a clash, it was a place of reunion for
Edo's and Yoruba it was said Eko, which is Lagos, and
in our local dialect is a Benin word.

Oyo Empire later suffered from over expansion and some
local hero started to emerge to challenge the
authority of the Oyo kingdom or that of the Alafin of
Oyo. Among them was the Lisabi Agboagbo Akala who
liberated the Egbas from Oyo Empire to create a
fearless Egba Kingdom.

 Lisabi was never a king. In fact, he was murdered by
the Alake of Egbaland because of his popularity. Egbas
as a kingdom with its own National Anthem "Lori Oke
ati Pele" was merged with Nigeria by the British
Empire after 1914. In addition, Lagelu emerged from
Ibadan, Ogendegbe from Ijeshaland and Shou of
Ogbomosho and Ilorin through the deserter Chief of
Army Staff of Oyo who was killed by Alimi a Fulani;
thus, the end of Oyo Empire. The attack from the
Sokoto Caliphate from the North finally nailed the
coffin of the Oyo Empire.The collapse of the Oyo
Empire led to the Yoruba Wars.  The present Oyo town
has nothing to do with Old Oyo town, it was just a new
creation to symbolise the memory of the Old.

The Egbas and Ijebus took over the control of
southwest towards the Atlantics because of lucrative
slave trade and closeness to the white man. The
emergence of western civilisation further weakened the
Old Oyo empire, the empire collapsed and the ruminants
of it can still be found at the old site. The irony of
it is  Alafin of Oyo in the present Oyo town 
continued to  live in the memory of his ancestors'
glory of the Old Oyo empire.

In conclusion, Ooni who is not a direct son or
descendants of Oduduwa cannot be considered viable in
this discussion, but Alafin of Oyo must examine his
place in history and that of his senior brother
Orangun of Ila the first son who had disappeared into
history because he never challenged Oranmiyan. The
abdication of the thrown is a loss of right. However,
can a son be greater than his father? or can a river
be greater than its source? The source of Yoruba from
Benin is very authentic than Saudi Arabia or Lamurudu,
which cannot be traced, in Saudi Arabian history.

https://www.edo-nation.net/sowunmi1.htm

all you said were prove but your Source is the only problem the Edo people has no right tell history because they were Mere slave to the people of Benin; i would accept other source but not http://edo-nation.net

SaintBeehot:
that one is normal for them (lies) It's better we tell them now before they feel their fathers had land somewhere.

To Bode George, NOT BODEJO OF FULANI MIYETTI ALLAH FH,

IT'S TIME THE KINGMAKERS OF LAGOS STATE REMOVE RILIWAN AND REPLACE HIM WITH JIDE KOSOKO.

tomakint:
The Story Of The Benin's Kingdom In Connection To Oduduwa's Dynasty In Ile Ife!

EDO'S and the YORUBA'S are two ethnic groups divinely United through the destiny of EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA). ODUDUWA (EKALADERHAN) was the only son (prince) of OGISO OWODO (The 36TH OGISO of the OGISO Dynasty) of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN). The whole scenarios started more than a thousand years Ago in IGODOMIGODO ( Present day Benin City). The King who only had one male child (EKALADERHAN) and tens of daughters was very disturbed because of his only Son. So he send delegates to enquire why his wives could not have other male children. Among the delegates was one of the kings wife (ESAGHO) who had no child at all. On arrival and
consultation The Oracle revealed that it was the Kings wife (ESAGHO) who has been responsible for the king not having other male children through black magic hence she had none. The Oracle instructed that the woman should be used for sacrifice to the gods so that the rest women can have male children.

On their way back to the Kings palace, ESAGHO confronted the other delegates and vowed that She will tell the King that she was Raped by the delegates, such offence attract death penalty. So she compel them to say it was EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) who was the cause of the problem. On their arrival, the message was delivered to the KING as compelled by ESAGHO. When The King heard the message, he was aggrieved but he cannot stop the gods from executing it request. So EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) was sentenced to die as a sacrificial lamb for the rest of his father's wife to have male children as indicted by the wicked wife (ESAGHO) . On the sacrificial day, the young lad (EKALADERHAN-ODUDUWA) was handed over to the Executioner and he was taking to the forest to be executed, but the executioner did not slay him but broke the chain used
in binding him into two because of the love and affection he had for the proficient young prince.The young prince later ran toward the western part of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN). After weeks of continuous roaming in the jungle, he find him self in UGHOTON (GWATO-This place is situated in the western riverine area of Bight of Benin). After a shot while in
UGHOTON, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) realized that the place was a province of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN) because the EDO language was spoken there. So he left the place and moved further west until he find himself in ILE-IFE.

During this period, ILE- IFE was a conglomeration of principalities ruled over by smaller chiefs without any supreme ruler. OBATALA was one of the rulers in one of these principalities. At this same period, the YORUBA'S was constantly under attack by other rival tribes and they have been waiting for the Liberator King as prophesied by their Priest.
On arrival, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) coexisted with the people of the newly found land (ILE-IFE). First he started as an iron smith (OGUN) which is the main profession and Deity of the people of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN) , He was also into clothes making with cotton. It came to a time when ILE-IFE came under attack by their rival tribe and
EKALADERHAN'S (ODUDUWA) home was also attacked. But unfortunately,the invaders met a fierce resistance from EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA).The prince fought with all his might arming himself with the tools he made for sales.The invaders were later defeated and chased out of the town. He later organized and equipped some hundred of
YORUBA brave warriors with Iron weapons and leather shields and foot wears and invaded the land of the rivals Tribes. It was these series of battles that brought about EKALADERHAN'S (ODUDUWA) fame and recognition in ILE-IFE.

The leaders of ILE-IFE now invited EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) to their gathering and ask him who he was. He gave his name as ODE-UWA (which translates in EDO *Path to Wealth*) He further told them that he is the son of OGIE-ISO (The King of the sky) . The word *OGIE-ISO* is the Ruling title of Kings that rules IGODOMIGODO in those period) from the East . As they heard him,they quickly prostrated and shouted KABIKABI O because the YORUBA'S now believed he is the liberator king foretold by the Oracle. He was made KING over ILE-IFE and was given a wife. He had one son, called OKANBI, OKANBI had EIGHT children (Onipopo of Popo, Onisabe of Sabe, Alara of Ilara, Ajero of Ijero, Orangun of Oke-Ila, Owa Obokun Ajibogun of Ijesaland and Oranmiyan) by his "legal" wife, and one (OOni) by his slave turned wife, named ORUNTO.

After many years there was no peace in the kingdom of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN) after the death of the last OGISO ( OGISO-OWODO) because the KING has no other male child to succeed him. There was feud between the chiefs of whom will rule as KING. The People was left without a king for decades of years with EVIAN (The great monster buster) as interim leader. It came to a time when the chief priest consulted the Divine God (OGHENE). The God instructed the priest through an Oracle to design a compass made of palm fronds.The spirit of the kings was invoked on the compass and immediately the compass
moved towards the west trailing EKALADERHAN'S (ODUDUWA) path, The Prince whom they believe was still alive somewhere. Emissaries were sent along the compass. Few weeks later,the compass arrived at ILE-IFE and settled at the KING'S palace hovering at the entrance to the KING'S courtyard.

At the appearance of the KING,the compass swiftly moved the Bearer to the feet of OKANBI. During this time, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) was so old that he could no longer come out of his DEN. His Son OKANBI was in charge of the people affairs and he attended to the visitors from the East.The emissaries then delivered their message. after careful listening ,OKANBI convey the message to his Father (EKALADERHAN-
(ODUDUWA). When EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) heard the message, he ask his son OKANBI to bring them in to his Den for a chat. During the Chat, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) communicated with the emissaries in EDO language. He was so please to see his people once again after so many years in Exile in ILE-IFE. The emissaries requested the KING to comeback Home (IGODMIGODO) or ask one of his grand Sons to come
along with them to rule as their KING. EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) who was already too old burst into tears and told his chiefs that the visitors were from his fathers land (IGODOMIGODO-BENIN) in the East.

Remembering what led to his departure from his father land, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) decline their request because he had no trust on them because of what happened to him decades ago. But the emissaries begged with repentance and sincerity that they are changed people of a new generation. EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) now
gave them an option that they should return back to IGODOMIGODO (BENIN) with three LICE .He ask them to train the LICE for three years, that if the LICE can survive with them for three years, then he will give them one of his Grandson. The emissaries went back Home with Great Hope and kept the LICE in the hair of a Slave for three years. Three years later, the Emissaries shaved off the hair of the slave and removed the LICE in it. This time, the LICE has Increased from three to hundreds. The LICE was kept in a container and taking to ILE-IFE by the emissaries.

On their arrival, EKALADERHAN (ODUDUWA) has already passed away. His Son OKANBI who has been acting instead of his Father EKALADERHAN-(ODUDUWA) attended to them. When OKANBI saw the hundreds of LICE, he was convince that the people has really changed and his appointed Son will be in safe hands. So he ask his son
ORANMIYAN to go with them. OKANBI felt that the troublesome people could be dealt by a warrior like ORANMIYAN who has, before then, had repeatedly proved his mettle. He believed that ORANMIYAN would be able to do the assignment and put the fear of IRASHA in the feuding Chiefs. ORANMIYAN was a great, valiant warrior, the Yoruba people of his era used to describe him as a true son of ODUDUWA after his grand father who was the first towering warrior in YORUBA LAND, He (ORANMIYAN) was the de facto ruler carrying out war activities and defending ILE-IFE.

On arrival at IGODOMIGODO (BENIN), ORANMIYAN's war like acts put the City in order. ORANMIYAN was in IGODOMIGODO for only few years. But he never could stay for ever as a result of the strange disputes and cases he presides among the people which come to him. Such cases which he has never heard or witness in ILE-IFE. He exclaimed with great puzzle by calling the people ILE-IBINU (Place of problem/quarel). The word which was later corrupted as UBINU and later to BENIN by the PORTUGUESE (1453AD.). He had a son called EWEKA by the Daughter of OGIE-EGO of EGO . As his adventurous spirit took the better part of him, he installed his son EWEKA and returned to
ILE-IFE with the hope of becoming king. On his return to ILE-IFE, It dawned on ORANMIYAN that he could not ascend the throne with his father's support for his brother, ONNI (OKANBI concubine's Son). He therefore left with his warriors towards North West to found OYO-AJAKA-Ajaka (pressent day OYO) and became the first Alaafin of OYO. His Son EWEKA ruled as the first OBA of IGODOMIGODO (BENIN) and a new Era of OBA DYNASTY begin to this day of OBA EREDIAWA (the
38th Oba Of Benin, now deceased). 

IF YOUR LANGUAGE RECOGNISES MONEY AS *IGHO* or EGHO*,. YOU ARE FROM IGODOMIGODO (BENIN CITY). THE PRESENCE OF YORUBA IN EVERY PART OF WESTERN NIGERIA CAME UP AS A RESULT OF ODUDUWA'S OCCUPATION AND HIS DESCENDANTS CONQUEST, NOT BY BIRTHS. THE CONQUERED PEOPLE WERE FORCED TO LEARN YORUBA CULTURE AND TRADITION. THIS LATER BECAME PART OF THEIR CENTURIES LATER FOR THEY WERE ALL UNDER THE RULE OF ODUDUWAS SONS AND HIS PROMINENT WARRIORS. THE PRESENT EDO PEOPLE IN ALL PARTS OF THE MIDWESTERN NIGERIA CAME AS A RESULT OF BIRTHS AND MIGRATION DUE TO OVER POPULATION IN THE CENTRAL CITY OF IGODOMIGODO (BENIN CITY). PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYONE IN YOUR FRIENDS LIST AND ADDRESS BOOK. 

OBA GHA TO KPEREE, ISE! Compiled by Nosakhare Edwin Idehen.

Note: Rebuttals, corrections, contributions, clarifications will be appreciated!

Nice write-up, Ọba Gha Tokpere Isee