Lifestyle
Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi and the Fall of the Benin Kingdom
A historic photograph taken in 1897 shows Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi (also called Overami), the thirty-fifth Oba of the Kingdom of Benin, standing with his special sword bearer and chiefs in his palace. This portrait was taken shortly before his forced deportation to Calabar by British colonial forces—a turning point that reshaped the destiny of Benin and its monarchy.
The 1897 Punitive Expedition
The deportation of Oba Ovonramwen was the direct result of the British punitive expedition against Benin in February 1897. Tensions between the Kingdom of Benin and British colonial authorities had been escalating over trade restrictions, taxation, and control of palm oil exports.
When a British delegation led by Acting Consul General James Phillips attempted to enter Benin City against prior warnings, they were attacked, and several members of the mission were killed. In response, Britain launched a large-scale military invasion to capture the city, depose the Oba, and secure control over trade in the region.
The punitive expedition devastated Benin City. Thousands of soldiers and sailors, heavily armed with modern rifles, artillery, and machine guns, stormed the city. The royal palace and much of the city were burned, while thousands of cultural treasures were seized and shipped to Britain. These artworks became known as the Benin Bronzes, a globally renowned collection of intricately cast bronzes, ivories, and other works that showcased the skill and sophistication of Benin’s artists. Today, many of these pieces remain in Western museums, though efforts for repatriation have been gaining momentum.
The Oba’s Capture and Exile
Following the destruction of Benin City, Oba Ovonramwen initially fled into the forest. After months of pursuit, he surrendered to the British. In a symbolic act of humiliation, he was tried and then exiled to Calabar, a coastal city in southeastern Nigeria.
In exile, Oba Ovonramwen lived out the rest of his days under surveillance. He died in 1914, never returning to his throne or his people. His deportation marked the end of the Benin monarchy’s political power, though the institution itself would eventually be restored in a ceremonial capacity.
The Kingdom of Benin Before the Fall
For centuries before its conquest, the Kingdom of Benin was one of West Africa’s most powerful and sophisticated states. Situated in present-day Edo State, southern Nigeria, it flourished from at least the 13th century. Benin was renowned for its advanced city planning, massive earthworks, strong military organization, and flourishing art traditions.
The royal court commissioned elaborate bronze plaques, commemorative heads, and ivory carvings, which not only served as historical records but also reinforced the sacred authority of the Oba. European travelers as far back as the 15th century marveled at the city’s grandeur and artistry.
Legacy and Restoration of the Monarchy
Although British colonization dismantled Benin’s political sovereignty, the monarchy was restored in 1914 after the death of Oba Ovonramwen. However, its authority was heavily reduced under colonial rule, limited largely to cultural and traditional functions.
Today, the Oba of Benin remains an important cultural and spiritual leader, symbolizing continuity with the kingdom’s rich past. The ongoing global conversation about the return of the Benin Bronzes has renewed awareness of Oba Ovonramwen’s fate and the devastating consequences of the 1897 expedition.
The photograph of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi with his sword bearer and chiefs is more than a portrait—it is a symbol of resilience and loss. It captures the last days of an independent Benin Kingdom, moments before colonial conquest altered its destiny. The Oba’s deportation, the looting of the Benin Bronzes, and the destruction of Benin City remain among the most significant episodes in the history of European imperial expansion in Africa.
The legacy of Ovonramwen endures, not only in the survival of the monarchy but also in the global recognition of Benin’s art, history, and unbroken cultural identity.
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Lifestyle
Balogun Odueyingbo Kuku was a prominent 19th-century warlord and influential leader in Ijebu-Ode
Balogun Odueyingbo Kuku was a prominent 19th-century warlord and influential leader in Ijebu-Ode, a key town in present-day Ogun State, Nigeria. Known for his military prowess, immense wealth, and contributions to Islam in Ijebuland, Balogun Kuku was a towering figure in both the political and religious landscape of his time.
He held the prestigious title of Balogun, meaning “warlord” or “military commander,” becoming the second person to bear this title in Ijebu-Ode. During the British expedition that led to the conquest of Ijebuland in 1892, Balogun Kuku emerged as a leading voice among the Ijebu people. Though the Awujale was the traditional ruler, Kuku’s influence as a military and spiritual leader positioned him as a central figure in the community, particularly among Ijebu Muslims.
Balogun Kuku was reputed to be the wealthiest and most powerful man in Ijebu during his lifetime. His economic influence was so substantial that he received an annual subvention from the colonial administration that amounted to half of what was allocated to the Awujale, the town’s sovereign. This level of financial power underscored his dominance not just in military and religious spheres but also in commerce and politics.
As a devout Muslim, Kuku played a significant role in the spread of Islam in Ijebuland. He is credited with initiating the Ojude Oba Festival, a vibrant cultural and religious event that began in 1896 and continues to this day. Originally conceived as a Muslim tribute to the Awujale after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the festival has grown into one of Nigeria’s most colorful and enduring cultural traditions.
Balogun Kuku was born into a distinguished family. His father, Odusanya, was a respected community figure, while his mother, Detimoku, was the daughter of Erelu Adeoti, the first woman to hold the title of Erelu in Ijebu-Ode. Following his mother’s death, young Kuku was raised by his grandmother, Erelu Adeoti, in a household that was deeply involved in the political and spiritual affairs of the town. This upbringing helped shape his leadership style and deepened his commitment to community development.
Kuku’s residence, the Olorunsogo House, is a testament to his legacy. Constructed by skilled Brazilian returnees (often referred to as “Aguda”) who brought Afro-Brazilian architectural techniques to Nigeria, the building remains an architectural landmark and a symbol of Ijebu heritage. Today, his descendants continue to preserve his memory and uphold the values he championed—leadership, faith, and cultural pride.
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This iconic photograph brings together three of Nigeria’s most influential nationalist leaders—Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Obafemi Awolowo—men whose political vision and leadership shaped the country’s path to independence and the fragile years of early nationhood. Captured during the constitutional negotiations of the late 1950s that paved the way for independence in 1960, the image embodies the delicate alliance of regional leaders who worked—sometimes in competition, often in uneasy partnership—to define Nigeria’s federal destiny.
Nnamdi Azikiwe: The “Father of Nigerian Nationalism”
On the left stands Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (1904–1996), affectionately called “Zik of Africa.” A journalist turned statesman and pan-Africanist, Azikiwe used the press as a weapon against colonial rule and helped awaken nationalist consciousness across West Africa.
He co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1944 and became Nigeria’s first indigenous Governor-General (1960–1963) before assuming office as the country’s first President (1963–1966) when Nigeria became a republic.
Azikiwe’s vision of a united, democratic Nigeria and his belief in non-violent, constitutional methods made him a bridge-builder among Nigeria’s many ethnic and regional groups. His writings and political strategy earned him the title “Father of Nigerian Nationalism,” inspiring future generations of African leaders.
Sir Ahmadu Bello: The Premier of the North
At the center is Sir Ahmadu Bello (1910–1966), Sardauna of Sokoto and the first—and only—Premier of Northern Nigeria. A descendant of the Sokoto Caliphate’s founder, Usman dan Fodio, Bello co-founded the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) and became the most powerful political figure in the North.
During the independence negotiations, Bello deliberately chose to remain Premier of the Northern Region, elevating his protégé Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to become Nigeria’s first Prime Minister. This decision demonstrated his commitment to strengthening the North’s political base while allowing for a national government that reflected Nigeria’s federal character.
Bello championed education, regional development, and political modernization, ensuring that Northern Nigeria entered independence with a stronger institutional footing. His assassination during Nigeria’s first military coup in January 1966 cut short a towering career, but his influence on northern politics remains profound.
Obafemi Awolowo: Visionary of the West
On the right stands Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987), Premier of the Western Region and founder of the Action Group (AG). Awolowo introduced free primary education and comprehensive health-care initiatives, making Western Nigeria the first in Africa to achieve near-universal primary schooling.
A trained lawyer, economist and political strategist, Awolowo was a strong advocate of federalism as the best system to manage Nigeria’s diversity. After independence, he served as Leader of the Opposition in the federal parliament, providing an articulate counterweight to the ruling coalition and shaping national debate on economic planning and social welfare.
Awolowo’s progressive policies and intellectual rigor earned him enduring respect as one of Nigeria’s foremost thinkers and reformers.
A Shared Legacy of Nation-Building
Though they represented different regions and parties—the NCNC in the East, the NPC in the North, and the Action Group in the West—Azikiwe, Bello and Awolowo were united in their determination to end British colonial rule and lay the foundation of a federal Nigeria.
Their collaboration and rivalry defined the years leading up to 1 October 1960, when Nigeria achieved independence. Yet their regional power bases and competing visions for the young nation also foreshadowed the political tensions that would later test Nigeria’s unity.
This historic photograph captures more than three men; it captures a pivotal moment when the dream of a united, independent Nigeria rested on the shoulders of leaders whose legacies continue to shape the nation’s political landscape.
Sources
James S. Coleman, Nigeria: Background to Nationalism (University of California Press, 1958).
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