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Who’s Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi

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Ovonramwen Nogbaisi ruled the Benin empire before he was exiled by the British. Also called Overami, was the Oba (king) of the Kingdom of Benin he ruled from 1888 up until the British punitive expedition of 1897.

Born in 1857, he was the son of Oba Adolo he took the name Ovonramwen Nogbaisi at his enthronement in 1888, every Oba took a new name at his coronation, the name translates as Ovonramwen meaning “The Rising Sun” and Nogbaisi meaning “which spreads over all.”

At the end of the 19th century, the Kingdom of Benin had managed to retain its independence and the Oba exercised a monopoly over trade which the British found irksome.

The territory was coveted by an influential group of investors for its rich natural resources such as palm oil, rubber, and ivory.

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The kingdom was largely independent of British control, and pressure continued from figures such as Vice-Consul James Robert Phillips and Captain Gallwey who were pushing for British annexation of the Benin Empire and the removal of the Oba.

 

A British invasion force headed by Phillips set out to overthrow the Oba in 1896. The force’s weapons were hidden in baggage, with troops disguised as bearers. Phillips’s plan was to gain access to Ovonramwen’s palace by announcing that he intended to negotiate.

Ovonramwen’s messengers issued several warnings not to violate Benin territorial sovereignty, claiming he was unable to see Phillips due to ceremonial duties.

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Having been warned on several further occasions on the way, Phillips sent his stick to the Oba, a deliberate insult designed to provoke the conflict that would provide an excuse for British annexation.

Although the British had orders to hang the Oba, Ovonramwen escaped, but returned to the city to formally surrender on 5 August 1897. When Ovonramwen returned to the city, after six months spent in evading capture in the forest,

He attempted to escape exile by offering Consul General Ralph Moor 200 puncheons (barrels) of oil worth £1500 [£183000.00 today]&to disclose where his 500 ivory tusks were buried however this offer was dismissed as Mr. Moor had already discovered them.

Ovonramwen was exiled to Calabar with his two of his wives, Queen Egbe and Queen Aighobahi, and died there around the turn of the new year in 1914.

Ovonramwen was eventually buried in the grounds of the royal palace in Benin City. He was succeeded by his first son and legitimate heir, Prince Aguobasimwin, who ruled as Eweka II.

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Africa Magic Mourns Late Olu Jacobs at 84, Revives His Stirring Message to Young Nollywood Hopefuls

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Africa Magic

Africa Magic honours late Olu Jacobs at 84 and shares his final advice to young Nollywood talents after the actor’s death and a 2013 AMVCA tribute (more…)

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Dolberg Hails Arokodare’s Goal-Scoring Instinct

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Ajax striker Kasper Dolberg has praised Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare’s goal-scoring instinct, describing his teammate as a specialist in positioning and a “monster in front of goal.”

Arokodare has made an impressive start to life at the Amsterdam club since joining on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring five goals in eight appearances across competitions. The 25-year-old’s loan deal runs until the summer of 2027 and includes an option for Ajax to make the move permanent.

Dolberg, who is competing with Arokodare for a starting place, said he had been paying attention to the Nigerian’s movement inside the penalty area and believes there are aspects of his game that he can adopt.

“I enjoy participating in the game, but the coach wants me to be more aggressive in front of goal. And I understand that. In that regard, I can learn something from Tolu, even though he is a competitor,” Dolberg said.

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The Danish striker went further in his assessment of Arokodare, highlighting the Nigerian’s ability to find the right positions and finish chances.

“He is a specialist in choosing his position and is a monster in front of goal. I talk to him a lot about that. I need to start scoring more,” Dolberg added.
Arokodare’s form has made him one of Ajax’s most productive attackers early in the 2026/27 campaign. His five goals have come in eight appearances, with two assists also recorded during the opening weeks of his spell in Amsterdam.

The Nigerian has also made an impact in European competition, scoring twice in Ajax’s 5-3 victory over Sion in the Conference League qualifying play-off. He subsequently scored in the club’s 4-0 league victory over Telstar.

His performances have also attracted praise from former Ajax midfielder Marciano Vink, who described the forward as a player with considerable footballing quality after watching his early performances for the club.

Arokodare joined Ajax during the summer from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan, with the Dutch club holding an option to sign him permanently. Ajax’s official profile lists him as a Nigerian attacker and confirms his loan arrangement with Wolves.
For Dolberg, however, Arokodare’s influence extends beyond the competition for playing time. The Dane’s comments suggest that the Nigerian’s movement and efficiency inside the box are qualities he believes can help him improve his own scoring output.

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The praise comes as Arokodare continues to establish himself at Ajax, with his early goalscoring form giving the Super Eagles another attacking option ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

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NDCCITMA rejects trademark allegations ahead of Niger Delta Summit

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The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has dismissed allegations that it appropriated the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) brand, insisting it lawfully obtained trademark acceptance for the name and will proceed with its 2026 summit as scheduled.

In a statement issued on September 12, 2026, the chamber described claims by Kunle Nwiwa Junior as “cheap blackmail, misleading, mischievous and a misrepresentation of the facts,” maintaining that it independently developed the summit and followed all required regulatory procedures.

According to NDCCITMA, it applied for and received a Trademark Acceptance Letter for the name Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) in August 2025 under File No. NG/TM/O/2025/387284.

The chamber said the chronology of events contradicts allegations that it copied another party’s application, arguing that its trademark acceptance predated the period during which Nwiwa’s own application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities.

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“Economic Summit” is a generic expression

NDCCITMA further argued that the phrase “Economic Summit” is a generic description widely used for conferences that bring together governments, investors, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders to discuss investment and economic development.

The chamber maintained that while concepts may be widely used, legal protection only arises from recognised intellectual property rights, including duly registered trademarks and other enforceable proprietary interests.

It therefore rejected suggestions that any individual or organisation has exclusive ownership of the broader concept of an economic summit.

Court grants interim injunction

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Addressing reports that the summit had been halted, NDCCITMA said the dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and that there is no court order restraining the event.

The chamber disclosed that in Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants—Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd.—from interfering with the planned summit.

According to NDCCITMA, the court also directed the defendants to remove publications, notices, petitions, social media posts and other statements allegedly considered damaging to the chamber’s name, integrity and reputation pending the hearing of its motion for interlocutory injunction.

The matter has been adjourned until September 22, 2026 for further hearing.

Chamber rejects ₦500 million demand claim

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NDCCITMA also alleged that it had received a demand from Nwiwa Junior requesting ₦500 million as a condition for abandoning his claims over the summit.

The chamber said the demand was rejected, adding that it subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials.

It said the petition sought police intervention, including inviting the complainant for questioning and caution where necessary.

Summit opens September 15

Despite the legal dispute, NDCCITMA reaffirmed that the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit will hold from September 15 to 17, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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The summit will be held under the theme “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta” and is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders, development partners and industry stakeholders to discuss economic transformation across the region.

The chamber said it remains committed to promoting commerce, industry, trade, mining, agriculture and sustainable economic development throughout the Niger Delta while allowing the courts to determine all outstanding legal issues.

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