EXILED OBA OVONRAMWEN

Img Credit : Benin Archives 

 The Story of Oba Ovonramwen

Nogbaise 

Before the Expedition in February 7, 1897 to February 21, Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaise ruled the Benin Empire from 1888 - 1897 after the demised  of his Father Oba Adolo.  He was born Prince Idugbowa by Queen Iheya, at his coronation in 1888, he took the name ‘ Ovoramwen Nogbaise. 

The Benin massacre in 1897 that left the royal empire in total ransack and claimed lives, properties and also saw valuable cultural artifacts being stolen from the coffers of the great Benin kingdom is a memory that can’t be forgotten so easily by the Benins. The year was, 1892 , Harry Gallway , a young British Vice Consul was sent to Benin to annex the kingdom through a camouflaged treaty of trade and friendship. Although the Oba had a cold feet about Gallway’s intentions for Benin.

However, Oba Ovoramwen agreed with the treaty, he believed it would forbid slave trades and human sacrifices, little did he know that it was nothing but a tactical plan to annex the Benin Empire into the British Empire. When the Oba finally realized what had been done, he forbade the people of Benin to comply in trades with the British and he also tried to stop the white folks from accessing the kingdom. But the British saw the Oba’s restriction as a sabotage of the treaty he agreed.

The acting Consul to the British authorities in 1896, Consul-General James Robert Philips sent a request to invade the Benin Kingdom. Before getting  approval from the British authorities to invade , Philip sent a message to the Oba, requesting a friendly meeting to discuss peace and trade. 

Some chiefs have already briefed Oba Ovoramwen before hand of what to expect and that the White men were coming to the palace to see him, which was forbidden because it was the period of Igue, a traditional festival celebrated at a particular time of each year, visitors are not allowed to see the Oba during the festival, because it’s sacrilegious. Chiefs were sent to block the white men at Ughoton to explain to them that they can’t see the Oba and also stop them from advancing to Benin.

Oba Ovonrwamwen hurriedly summoned his chiefs to discuss and deliberate on what to do, during the deliberations; the Iyase of Benin Kingdom said Philip was coming to destroy the kingdom to ashes , so he shouldn’t be allowed the meeting he requested. Moreover , the oba declined Iyase’s suggestion and demanded Philip access to be granted.

Oba Ovoramwen and his Omuadia

But, the Iyase ignored the Oba’s suggestion and sent Ologbosere, a senior commander in the kingdom to lead a handful of armed men to dislodge Philip and his supposed friendly forces at Ughoton, the news further enraged the British men.

January 4th, 1897. The Benin armed forces caught Philip and his men unprepared in a forest in Ugbine close to Ughoton where they camped, in an attempt to run away he was killed alongside his troops, only two survived the ordeal. When the British got the news of Philip’s death, they were outraged. On July 12, 1897, Rear-Admiral Harry Wilson , who was the Commander in Chief at Cape Town was appointed to lead the invasion that later turn out to be the “BENIN MASSACRE”.

Oba Ovoramwen with his two wives.

Rear- Admiral Harry Wilson and his 1200 heavily armed men succeeded in bombarding the kingdom, although the Benin kingdom faught back but their weapons which mainly consisted of matches, spears and arrows were no match to sophisticated rifles and other high ends weaponries used by the British at that time.

Houses and properties were burnt, people died, an order was given for the Oba to be captured and executed when found. Shortly , Oba Ovoromwen was eventually captured with  his two wives by British Consul - General Ralph Moor. The Oba was tried and found guilty. He was deposed as King of Benin and later exiled to Calabar where he died on the 4th day of January ,1914.