Chief Humphrey Omo-Osagie was born into the prestigious Royal Ezomo Family in the early 1890s. His Father died four days before he was born. It was actually the pressure of the death of the father that forced his mother into labour.
His Mother, Osana was a very wealthy woman who traded in Coral Beads, Agates and other expensive cosmetics. She was a daughter of the famous Iyase N’Ohenmwen of the Benin Kingdom.
Chief Humphrey Omo-Osagie was a Federal Minister in the first republic.
Two very important events defined the person of H. Omo-Osagie.
The first, being the struggle for independence and dovetailed into the struggle for the creation of the Midwest Region from the Western Region.
When the Midwest Region was finally created and being the Man in the forefront of the struggle, H. Omo-Osagie was given the right of first refusal. He was to choose between having the capital of the newly created Region or taking the office of the Premier of the region. He knew quite right that being the Premier of the Region would be his personal benefit and having the capital would be to the benefit of all. Being who he was, a selfless Man, he chose to have the capital of the Midwest Region in Benin City and ensure that the Oba of Benin, living in the capital city, will be the unchallenged chairman of the council of traditional rulers and Chiefs.
The second was the very spiritual and mystical warfare between the Ogboni Fraternity and The Owegbe Cult.
It was at a time the Ogboni Fraternity wanted to have Oba Akenzua II removed as Oba of Benin so that they can have one of theirs as the Oba and therefore be the ones to be hand-picking whoever is to be the Oba of Benin as they have in the West.
Chief Humphrey Omo-Osagie organized a highly mystical group, The Owegbe Cult to fight and ward off the Ogboni Fraternity from having that place in the Benin Royalty. That group is today called The Osokpikan Society of Nigeria Incorporated. He was thereafter as a thank you given the highest chieftaincy title in the land. The Iyase of Benin Kingdom.
As the Iyase of Benin, Chief Humphrey Omo-Osagie also left an indelible mark on the sands of time. It is a common saying in Benin today that since Humphrey Omo-Osagie was Iyase, the Binis have not had another Iyase.
As the Obaship is templated on the achievements of Oba Ewuare I, so is the title of Iyase viewed from the perspective of Chief Humphrey Omo-Osagie. No wonder he was nicknamed B2 which literally translates to Benin number two Man only after the Oba.
Oba gha T’okpere.
He also held the titles of OKAO-IVBIORE which is a title given to Young and vibrant Benin with leadership qualities but reside outside Benin. Then he was junior minister in Lagos. When he relocated to Benin, he was then
elevated to the title of AIGHOBAHI. This is the third ranking title in the prestigious Iweguae Palace Society. It was from this title he was elevated to the Iyase of Benin in 1960
Chief Humphrey Omo-Osagie was among the first set of King’s College students Lagos, where he studied Medical sciences.
He had Sixteen children from six doors. Amongst the children are professors, Accountants, Lawyers, Medical Doctors, Architect, Journalists, Theatre and Musical Artiste and captains of Industries.
Chief Humphrey Omo-Osagie B2, has since transited to the Celestial Realm of existence on September 15 1977.
May his great Soul Personality Rest in Peace Profound….. Amen.
Story Source/Photo source – Chief Omo-Osagie Utetenegiabi,
the Obadolagbonyi of Benin Kingdom
Beautiful now I understand better