DAY 2: MOSOGAR KINGDOM HOLDS PUBLIC LECTURE ON “HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE” AS AMORI,OKPURHE, GUEST LECTURER-OMAYULI,GIVES DETAILED HISTORICAL ACCOUNT ON MOSOGAR ORIGIN AND MIGRATION FROM AGBARHA-OTOR.

By Ovie Bethel

It was another huge success during the public lecture held as part of activities line-up for the 21-Days Rites of Passage of HRM Samson Okirhioboh Imoyin-Omene,Udurhie1,Ovie of Mosogar Kingdom, today Sunday 10th April,2022 at the popular Civic Centre Mosogar,Ethiope West LGA,Delta State.

Dr. Moses Omayuli who is a lecturer in the College of Education,Mosogar delivered the guest lecture on “Mosogar Kingdom-Historical Perspective”

He gave a detailed historical account on the origin of Mosogar People,which he averred that they migrated from Agbarha,just as any other kingdoms in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

“Mosogar was one of the three sub-clans, amidst Idjerhe and Onyobru that formerly constituted the Idjerhe clan in Urhobo land.Mosogar had a population of about 6096 people during the 1973 national population census.This figure rose to 15,000 in the 1980s,perharps due to the presence of many industries that were operating in the area.And by the time the last population census was done,Mosogar Population had risen to 40,000 as at 2007 (Historical Committee).Indeed,prior to creation of Mosogar as an independent kingdom,she had become viable economically, socially and politically.

Historical investigation into the origins of Mosogar people,like any other pre-literate society,is largely hinged on oral evidences.Corollary to this is the problem of clarity which however,is not uncommon with history mainly pieced together from oral sources.

Therefore,the historical origin of the people must be seen against an equally ingrained examination of their many and varied traditions of origin.According to Otite O,(2003:120) the Oghwoghwa family,from which Mosogar emerged,comprises Ogor,Ughelli,Agbarha and Orogun.It was one of his sons Agbarha that gave birth to “Emosasavworgar”,Oghwoghwa was the senior son of Inarhe who left Benin with gifts and symbols of office from the Oba and travelled with his many children: Ogo,Ughele,Agbarha and Orogun through the Benin River to the Ijo town of Taraki where he spent some years.He sojourned in the Niger Creeks between the present day Patani and Ughelle; finally settled at Ogoviri.Agbarha eventually left with his family to settle at a place, presently known as Ovwodoaware of Agbarha.This tradition holds that the place was already settled upon as at the time Agbarha arrived.These were the Oleha,Uhrude,and Owevwe people,to which the entire settlement was later divided.Each of these quarters had to maintain the institution of the Ovieship,this is why Agbarha-Otor was being referred at a time,as the land of Kings (Umukoro,1987).

Oyibo et. al (2008)’s version maintains that,origin of Mosogar,her early settlement and development show important aspect of social, economic, political and cultural transformation of the people.This version supports its claims with the theory of Money (1975).

“”””””’In various parts of the world, wandering people found tracts of land with particular advantages such as flat land scape, adequate water,fertile soil,wood for building and a climate which suited the crops””””””

Money further explained that these factors influenced settled life which enabled people to think in terms of home; these factors apply to Mosogar as well.

Local Historians date the migration of Emoasovwogar,from Agbarha-Otor to their present abode in the 14th century.They said the founder was a hunter who hailed from Ekene quarter in Agbarha-Otor and that it was a hunter who hailed from Ekene quarter in Agbarha-Otor and it was during one of his hunting expeditions,that he came across a river (now river Ethiope),he made a raft bank of the convex bend of the river where he sighted animals drinking water.As a hunter,he became anxious to alight from the raft and hunt for his games.His catch was so impressive that he decided to mark the spot for future visit on hunting expeditions and he had to plant an ‘oghriki’ tree.Perhaps,his knowledge of charms and incantations as an Ekene Dancer, could explain the reason why the Oghriki tree he planted upside down,to mark the spot of the good catch,had grown normally.Oyibo et al stated further that,Emoasovwogar then went back home to Agbara- Otor where he was received by his family and his children and thereafter gave gifts of meat to his family members.His description of the place where he hunted for games drew much interest that many recipients of his gifts wished to accompany him in his next trip.

The version of Oyibo et al (2008) holds that Emoasavwogar had many children.This is in harmony with the traditional practice of marrying many wives to enable the individual engage in large scale farming.The versions of Oyibo et al and Umukoro (1986) agreed that an Oghriki tree was planted upside down to test the fertility of the soil and its suitability for settlement,the tree sprouted to their delight.

Their final decision to settle down in the new home was followed by the final emigration of the entire family to Mosogar.Umukoro’s version holds that it was the children that brought their father to the new settlement.Consequently,the children named the settlement after their father.That some settled by Bank of the river probably suggest that they were fishermen while those who founded their settlement in the interior were no doubt farmers.

The Uduaka and Udurhie quarters in Mosogar are reminiscent of the early settlements of Mosogar people.Up to the present time,the elderly male in Mosogar recalls his ancestor Emoavwasogar during libations at important festivals when he says:

“”””””””Edion nu Karo,Edion r’Agbarha,Edion r’Mosogar” which when translated into English means ” The progenitor spirits of our ancestors,the spirits of Agbarha,Our Ancestral Home,the spirits of Mosogar,Our new Home””””

These incantations are reminiscent of Mosogar Origin.

According to the unpublished tradition of origin of Mosogar by Oyibo et al (2008) after their settlement in the new territory,Emoasovwogar in the course of one of his expeditions in the forest for games came across some people in the Eastern flank,who they recognized as their brothers from Agbarha-Otor.These are the present Idjerhe people with whom Mosogar grouped together to form a clan in later years.It is possible for Emoasavwogar to have recognized his brother from Agbarha-Otor.

Today,the Mosogar people are very conscious of their Agbarha-Otor roots and continue to hold their link with Agbarha-Otor people.The same cultural and religious festivals celebrated annually in Agbarha-Otor are celebrated by the Mosogar people.It must not be overlooked that the “question of roots is a significant part of the African man” and here the people have clearly demonstrated that they are a people “with a brilliant past and heritage”Dr. Omayuli stated.

The Otota of Mosogar Kingdom,Chief Sen. Ighoyota Amori who spoke briefly,commended Dr. Omayuli for the detailed historical origin on Mosogar Kingdom,which he noted that,it is good for everyone to know their origin,source and where they gave from.He affirmed that this has clearly defined the origin of Mosogar people,that they are from Agbarha.

Also speaking,Chief Sonny Okpurhe said the history is clear as stated by Dr. Omayuli.He noted that as a young man who grew up in Mosogar,he is very much familiar with all the detailed history.

Addressing the gathering,Prince Darwin Imoyin-Omene,the eldest son of the late Monarch, appreciated Chief Sen. Ighoyota Amori,Chief Chris Onogba,all Chiefs,women and Mosogar sons and daughters for all their support during his father’s reign and towards the family in according their father this great celebration of life.

Shortly after the end of the lecture,the Otota of Mosogar kingdom,Chief Sen. Amori led the Children alongside some Chiefs on inspection to the palace,where some activities will hold in the 21-Days Rites of Passage.

In attendance includes; Chief Sen. Ighoyota Amori,Chief Sonny Okpurhe,Chief Chris Onogba,Chief Col. O.C. Akporokah,Prince Darwin Imoyin-Omene, Princess Mrs. Leticia Omotekoro Otomewo,Lady Stella Esijolomi Ogbakpah,Dr. David Anuya,Chief America Oghenedoro,Chief Edward Omene,Chief Felix Omene,Chief Obayendo Benson,Chief Silver Anuwa,Chief Moses Emujakporue,Chief Solomon Obareki,Chief Efe Dickson,Chief Ejiro Obayendo,Chief Okporua Vincent,Chief Conference O. Friday,Chief Festus Aboloko,Chief Peter Avwojekpaye,Chief Upala Ogheneoseme,Chief Bernard Abinoko,Chief Umukoro Jackson,Mr. Anuya,Hon. Richard Ofenor.

Others are Mrs Susan Ewharekuke,Mr. Ufuoma Ogbakpah,Mr. Ugu O. Pius,Mr. Ughagbe Famous,Mr. Okoje Oghenebrorie,Mr. Monday Onotu,Mr. Vote Nigeria,Elder Ogbakpah,Mr. Freeborn Eyenor,Mr. Freeborn Oki,Mr. Vincent Ughagbe,Hon. Victor Okoro,Mr. Collins Aghwe,Amb. Ebenezer Ajiyen,Mr. Saturday Osaka,Mr. Ovie Obayendo,Mr. Emoyefe Emejere,Mr. Samson Oyibo,Mr. John Eyiye,Mr. Bright Amarhavwie,Mr. Anthony Usor,Mr. Edijana Happy,Mr. Edidjana Stanley,Elder Okuwhere Felix and many others.

May The Soul of His Majesty Rest In Perfect Peace.