His Royal Majesty, the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Delta State, Ovie Richard Layieguen Ogbon, Ogoni Oghoro 1, the oldest monarch in the world has died at the age of 106 years.
The passage of the monarch was announced by the Otota of Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Macaulay Ovbagbedia during a meeting of the traditional council at the Ohworode Palace in Ogoni Olomu on Thursday.
Announcing, Olorogun Ovbagbedia said “The Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM, Dr. (Ovie) R. L. Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro 1, Royal Canon, OON, Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers of Urhobo Nation otherwise known as Ukoko R’ Ivie R’ Urhobo.
” We can confirm today that our Ohworode has gone back to God. He lived a great life, he served the Government well and his people.
“We are mourning and celebrating, the reason is that he was old but it’s painful though,” he added.
Also, the Akpile of Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje, SAN, said due to the happening, there shall be 21 days of mourning in the kingdom, no celebration of burial, and marriages across the kingdom.
He also said that the Chiefs should not adorn themselves in the traditional red cap and should add a black armband to any dressing during the time.
According to Olorogun Akpomudje, the burial arrangement will be announced soon.
It was gathered that the departed monarch celebrated his birthday on 20th January with Thanksgiving after battling health challenges over two months.
The late Urhobo majesty ascended the throne at the age of 70 years in 1988. He was the twelve Ohworode of Olomu, an ancient kingdom in Nigeria.
Born on 20th January 1917, he was baptized into the Anglican Communion in 1936. He was a retired Inspector of Education under the then Bendel State Ministry of Education.
He was the only Royal Canon of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, a title that is recognized in England.
He had 12 children but was survived by 11 following the death of the eldest child, the late Elizabeth Ogbon-day, Nigeria’s first woman Ambassador.
Princess Ogbon-Day was a Nigerian Consul-General to Hamburg, defunct West Germany, and the Philippines under the administration of former President Shehu Shagari.
