Ehijie Ignatius Aigbogun
Ehijie was born in Igueben, Mid-West (now Edo) State on 10 August 1947.
Early years
Ehijie was one of Prince Aigbogun’s three youngest children all born within the same time period. Ehijie was the last grandson from his first wife (Imade). Eneagbeta was a son from his mistress and Uwague was his last son from his second wife (Imanlukhor).
In the early part of 1950s these three were the only children left at home as the older children had gone off to school or work. Workwise Prince Aigbogun was now fully based in Igueben. He had stopped travelling to other places for work. He used to tell his assistants and customers about the work he did as The Oba's Royal Blacksmith. He still had one of the bicycles he used to use for getting to faraway places. People used to visit him in his workshop from across Esanland with gifts of thanks for previous work he did for them or their community. In his blacksmithing work Prince Aigbogun continued to produce and repair farm implements like cutlasses, hoes, shovels and farm forks. He repaired broken bicycles and produced keys. He repaired and produced Dane guns for hunters and war use. He was the only Royal Palace of Benin Royal Blacksmith around in the area of Esanland. The Royal emblems, the Ada and the Eden, currently in use in Igueben Royal Palace were made by him.
Prince Aigbogun was also fully practising as a traditional doctor from his compound in Idunwun'Omon, Igueben.
Ehijie, Uwague and Eneagbeta spent most of their time with Prince Aigbogun either working with him in his workshop helping to operate the Okwe (the Bellows) or running errands. If all three were present, they took it in turns to assist him in the workshop to fire the bellows. These produced hot air which melted down the metals for Aigbogun to shape into sculptures.
All three boys ate dinner with Prince Aigbogun and slept in the same room as he at night. Years later when Prince Aigbogun developed a cough he frequently disturbed their sleep but that did not stop them having a good night sleep. However, they did not like to see him coughing during the day. They were all happy when he got cured by a traditional healer from another village. They felt helpless when they could not help him when he fell off his bike some years later. Due to lack of medical expert treatment the fall degenerated to other medical conditions. He never fully recover his health after this. He walked with a limp until his death.
Education and training
1953 - 1958
Ehijie attended St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Igueben. This school was run by Catholic missionaries for children in Igueben and from the neighbouring areas. He completed primary education in 1958.
1958 - 1961
For the next three years he attended St Paul Catholic Modern School also a catholic secondary school. He finished in 1961. His certificate from here qualified him to enter teacher training or any other higher institution like secondary school. He did not want to teach. The only other option to go to secondary school where he could get 2 years rebate off so he spends 3 instead of 5 years.
1961 - 1962
In 1961 he moved to Sapele to live with his brother Patrick due to civil unrest by political parties in Esanland the Action Group led by Awolowo against The NCNC led by Azikwe.
1962 – 1966
In Sapele due to lack of funds to go to secondary school he secured a job with his Modern Certificate at an insurance company the Royal Exchange Assurance Company run by the British with agents across the south. The company Branch in Benin the Joseph Asaboro Limited Company in Benin exported Rubber, cocoa and other items like palm oil.
1966 -1967
He was in Onitsha with his brother Clement studying in General Technical College (GETS).
1967 - 1970
In 1967 civil war broke out in Nigeria and all citizens were asked to return to their hometown. He returned to Mid-West State. The government sent him to Warri and Clement his brother was sent to Sapele. He enrolled in a technical College here. And in 1970 he completed his course.
Work life
1970 - 1973
As Ehijie was one of the top 5 performing students the college retained them for further training as apprentice for a year. At the end of the training, they were fully employed by the college and deployed to their workshop. At this time the government took over every school and his school closed. After a period of joblessness he went to Lagos where his brother Patrick was.
1973 – 1977
His senior brother Patrick helped him to secure a job at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). He worked here until 1977 when he got a better job with Chief Abiola at the Radio Communication Nigeria Limited.
In 1977 Ehijie married his wife Veronica Ojie who was also from Igueben.
1977 – 1984
When he began work at the Radio Communication Nigeria Limited he was sent to Florida USA for 6 months training at the Harry’s Corporation of America Florida from January – June 1977. On his return he was posted to Enugu Sate as a Technical Officer. He worked here until 1979
From 1979 – 1981 he was transferred to Maiduguri
1981-1984 – He was transferred to Port Harcourt. In 1984 the company folded up. After this Ehijie set up his own company Ohonsi & Company Limited For telecommunication and Office equipment. They provided office equipment and repair services.
1985 – 2010
Ohonsi & Company Limited: telecommunication and Office equipment provided office equipment and repair services.
© Igueben Notables 2013
Early years
Ehijie was one of Prince Aigbogun’s three youngest children all born within the same time period. Ehijie was the last grandson from his first wife (Imade). Eneagbeta was a son from his mistress and Uwague was his last son from his second wife (Imanlukhor).
In the early part of 1950s these three were the only children left at home as the older children had gone off to school or work. Workwise Prince Aigbogun was now fully based in Igueben. He had stopped travelling to other places for work. He used to tell his assistants and customers about the work he did as The Oba's Royal Blacksmith. He still had one of the bicycles he used to use for getting to faraway places. People used to visit him in his workshop from across Esanland with gifts of thanks for previous work he did for them or their community. In his blacksmithing work Prince Aigbogun continued to produce and repair farm implements like cutlasses, hoes, shovels and farm forks. He repaired broken bicycles and produced keys. He repaired and produced Dane guns for hunters and war use. He was the only Royal Palace of Benin Royal Blacksmith around in the area of Esanland. The Royal emblems, the Ada and the Eden, currently in use in Igueben Royal Palace were made by him.
Prince Aigbogun was also fully practising as a traditional doctor from his compound in Idunwun'Omon, Igueben.
Ehijie, Uwague and Eneagbeta spent most of their time with Prince Aigbogun either working with him in his workshop helping to operate the Okwe (the Bellows) or running errands. If all three were present, they took it in turns to assist him in the workshop to fire the bellows. These produced hot air which melted down the metals for Aigbogun to shape into sculptures.
All three boys ate dinner with Prince Aigbogun and slept in the same room as he at night. Years later when Prince Aigbogun developed a cough he frequently disturbed their sleep but that did not stop them having a good night sleep. However, they did not like to see him coughing during the day. They were all happy when he got cured by a traditional healer from another village. They felt helpless when they could not help him when he fell off his bike some years later. Due to lack of medical expert treatment the fall degenerated to other medical conditions. He never fully recover his health after this. He walked with a limp until his death.
Education and training
1953 - 1958
Ehijie attended St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Igueben. This school was run by Catholic missionaries for children in Igueben and from the neighbouring areas. He completed primary education in 1958.
1958 - 1961
For the next three years he attended St Paul Catholic Modern School also a catholic secondary school. He finished in 1961. His certificate from here qualified him to enter teacher training or any other higher institution like secondary school. He did not want to teach. The only other option to go to secondary school where he could get 2 years rebate off so he spends 3 instead of 5 years.
1961 - 1962
In 1961 he moved to Sapele to live with his brother Patrick due to civil unrest by political parties in Esanland the Action Group led by Awolowo against The NCNC led by Azikwe.
1962 – 1966
In Sapele due to lack of funds to go to secondary school he secured a job with his Modern Certificate at an insurance company the Royal Exchange Assurance Company run by the British with agents across the south. The company Branch in Benin the Joseph Asaboro Limited Company in Benin exported Rubber, cocoa and other items like palm oil.
1966 -1967
He was in Onitsha with his brother Clement studying in General Technical College (GETS).
1967 - 1970
In 1967 civil war broke out in Nigeria and all citizens were asked to return to their hometown. He returned to Mid-West State. The government sent him to Warri and Clement his brother was sent to Sapele. He enrolled in a technical College here. And in 1970 he completed his course.
Work life
1970 - 1973
As Ehijie was one of the top 5 performing students the college retained them for further training as apprentice for a year. At the end of the training, they were fully employed by the college and deployed to their workshop. At this time the government took over every school and his school closed. After a period of joblessness he went to Lagos where his brother Patrick was.
1973 – 1977
His senior brother Patrick helped him to secure a job at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). He worked here until 1977 when he got a better job with Chief Abiola at the Radio Communication Nigeria Limited.
In 1977 Ehijie married his wife Veronica Ojie who was also from Igueben.
1977 – 1984
When he began work at the Radio Communication Nigeria Limited he was sent to Florida USA for 6 months training at the Harry’s Corporation of America Florida from January – June 1977. On his return he was posted to Enugu Sate as a Technical Officer. He worked here until 1979
From 1979 – 1981 he was transferred to Maiduguri
1981-1984 – He was transferred to Port Harcourt. In 1984 the company folded up. After this Ehijie set up his own company Ohonsi & Company Limited For telecommunication and Office equipment. They provided office equipment and repair services.
1985 – 2010
Ohonsi & Company Limited: telecommunication and Office equipment provided office equipment and repair services.
© Igueben Notables 2013