The time and life of the patriarch of the Ogiamien royal dynasty in Benin Kingdom, Pa Chief Hon Sunday Emokpae Ogiamien, was recently celebrated in a grand event that was attended by family members, friends, and well-wishers.
The eldest son of the family, Prof Tony Ogiamien, spoke highly of his father’s life and times, describing him as a great man whose legacy is worth emulating.
He praised his father for being fearless, disciplined, cheerful, loving, and always fair in his dealings.
According to Prof Tony, his father’s selfless and protective nature ensured that his children were well taken care of and that they lacked nothing.
He also commended his father’s efforts in bringing the family together and instilling in them a sense of unity and love.
“My father was a great man whose life and times are worth emulating.
“We are proud to have him as our father now and we will wish to have him as our father again and again.
“He was fearless, outspoken, disciplined, cheerful, loving and always fair in his dealings. We are his proud children and we will continue to maintain his legacy”, he said.
Princess Mrs Katie Ogiamien-Salami, the daughter of the late patriarch who came from the United States of America, also paid tribute to her father.
She described him as a wonderful man who was very distinct and took care of his children. She praised her father’s selflessness and willingness to take a bullet for his children, stating that he trained them to be independent and successful.
She also commended her father for bringing the family together and ensuring that they all answered to their elder brother, Prof Tony Ogiamien.
According to her: “My father was a wonderful man. He was a man that was very distinct. He was a father that took care of his children.
“We never want nor lack. Our growing up was very well protected. My father was very selfless. He would take a bullet for his children. He trained us to be independent. So we can all make it on our own. He brought us all together with one love.
“He brought us to answer to our elder brother, Prof Tony Ogiamien. Whatever Prof Tony says, we do. So, my dad did a very successful job. So, all of us are very successful”, she said
High Chief Monday Wehere JP, the director of Information and External Affairs of the Great Ogiamien Royal Dynasty, spoke about the late patriarch’s role in liberating the dynasty from the hands of their enemies. He described Pa Chief Sunday Ogiamien as a Messiah who came to reposition the dynasty and ensure that they could move about freely. “If not for the late sage himself and other dramatis personae involved in the struggle, it wouldn’t have been free for them to move about freely.
“We remain eternally grateful to him”, he added
He expressed his gratitude to the late icon and praised his efforts in ensuring that the dynasty remained strong and united.
His Imperial Majesty, Ogiamien Rich Arisco Osemwengie, also paid tribute to Pa Chief Sunday Ogiamien. He expressed his gratitude to the late patriarch for his sacrifices, determination, and efforts in repositioning the dynasty.
He assured the family that he would continue from where Pa Chief Sunday Ogiamien stopped.
Pa Chief Hon Sunday Emokpae Ogiamien lived to the ripe age of 123 years before passing on to glory on July 17th, 2023.
He is survived by his wife, Madam Magdalene Osagie Emokpae Ogiamien, His Imperial Majesty Rich Arisco Osemwengie, the custodian of the 32 previous Ogisos, the current 24th Ogiamien of the Benin kingdom, and his numerous children among which are: Grace Ehigiator, Caroline Makunju, Florence Ogiamien, Gloria Okuonghae, Michael Ogiamien, Mercy Ogiamien, Charity Ogiamien, Dr Lucky Ogiamien, Nosakhare Ogiamien, Joy Igbinovia, Roseline Ogunkoya, Dolly Nelson-Cole, Patricia Ogiamien, Diana Pemu and grandchildren.