Eddy Ogunbor

Saturday, 20 March 2021

Gunmen Attack Governor Ortom In Benue

Pius Angbo
Updated March 20, 2021

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have attacked Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

Channels Television gathered that the incident happened on Saturday at Tyo Mu along Makurdi/Gboko road in Makurdi Local Government Area of the state.

Briefing journalists, Ortom, who described the gunmen as ‘herdsmen’, said about 15 of the attackers trailed him to the river bank where he was on foot.

The governor praised his security details that were just about six in number for responding quickly to the attack and repelled them promptly before providing cover for him to return to safety and his vehicle.

“My lawyer is going to make a petition against the leadership of MACBAN because they came out to target me and behind the scene, they are planning to eliminate me on my own land,” he said.

“If I can’t go to the farm as governor with entire security around me then who else can go to the farm? You can imagine the pains that we have here in Benue State.

“I appreciate the security personnel attached to me they were able to repel them and they could not have access to me,” Ortom stated.

A file photo of Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom

He said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, the police, and DSS have been mobilised to the forest between Tyo-Mu and Abinse where the armed herdsmen are camped to comb the area.

He also called for the arrest and prosecution of the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who only last week, gathered in Yola, the Adamawa State capital to single him out for assassination.

Speaking further, Ortom asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the security chiefs to expect a formal petition from his lawyers and move quickly to arrest the situation.

Yanmo Omorogbe: How Bamboo helps Nigerians create wealth through stock investing

Yanmo Omorogbe, Co-founder and COO at Bamboo. Image credit: Bamboo.

In January this year, amateur day-traders sent the internet into a frenzy. They coordinated on Reddit to boost the share price of GameStop, a faltering company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Their platform for this operation was Robinhood, a mobile app that allows individuals to buy and share stocks. The sensation has died down but the event showed how ordinary individuals can upend the traditional trajectory of the stock market, causing no small discomfort to hedge funds and speculators.

But the more powerful, more global message was that wealth creation, through investing in stock markets, is possible to people anywhere in the world.

Some startups have taken on the challenge of creating this possibility in Africa. One of them is Bamboo, an app launched in 2019 for Nigerians to buy shares of publicly traded American companies.

Yanmo Omorogbe is Bamboo’s Chief Operating Officer. On TechCabal Live, she explained that the startup’s mission was focused on giving Nigerians a means for growing and earning returns on their investments.

“If you have a little extra money this month and you are able to invest on Bamboo, then maybe next month you have more money to pay for necessities and do other things,” she said.

bamboo-Nigerianstartups-Ycombinator-founders_800x533 — Bamboo co-founders Yanmo Omorogbe (COO) and Richmond Bassey (CEO)

Bamboo’s app gives users access to buy and sell stocks of about 3,000 companies. Bamboo typically doesn’t offer stocks whose companies have a market cap of under $1billion, unless such stocks have high demand.

Users can sign up to trade on Bamboo with $10 dollars. Users must be at least 18 years old and will need to provide some information, including a bank verification number.

Omorogbe says their users vary. Some have $10 portfolios while there are people with hundreds of thousands of dollars. When there are issues in the global economy that appear to affect stock markets, users are never shy to ask for assurances about their investments.

“Nigerians are quite blunt and vocal. They don’t beat around the bush,” Omorgobe says. “We’ve had people show up at our physical offices to check we are a real company.”

But the company says investments made on the app are always secure. A Bamboo account is technically a US brokerage account because the company partners with DriveWealth LLC, a US brokerage firm, to facilitate its trades.

Flutterwave is Bamboo’s payments partner. The pan-African payments company is responsible for helping Bamboo perform foreign exchange conversions and move their money. Users can deposit into the app in either naira or dollars. In the case of naira deposits, Bamboo does the naira-dollar conversions.

The stock investment industry in Nigeria is new and as such, many people are taking a more cautious approach towards embracing apps like Bamboo. The Securities and Exchange Commission has also started showing an active interest in keeping the startups on their toes.

https://techcabal.com/2021/01/06/sec-vs-chaka-regulation-may-be-coming-to-investment-tech-platforms/

“Generally, regulation is always a big risk,” Omorogbe said, but they handle it by “letting the people we imagine to be our regulators know what we were doing, asking what their thoughts were.”

Still, she says shocks can happen at any time, creating a need for their business to be resilient and adaptable to situations.

Two years after launch, it’s been mostly good news for the startup so far. As the pandemic drove growth in the retail investing business worldwide, Bamboo has seized the moment to broaden customer acquisition. Their Telegram community currently has close to 7,000 members.

Bamboo’s focus is fully on Nigeria for now, but Omorogbe says they could launch in Ghana and Kenya soon. As to launching new products on the app – for example, investments in local stock markets like the Nigeria Stock Exchange – that depends on what users say will make their Bamboo experience better.

2023: APC power blocs battle for national chairmanship position

John Alechenu

12:42 am

Barely 90 days to the likely date for the national convention of the All Progressives Congress, the hushed battle for control of the party’s structure at the national level is beginning to take shape, Saturday PUNCH, gathered in Abuja on Friday.

The pioneer Interim APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, was a leading figure in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, his successor Chief John Odigie-Oyegun started off in the All Nigeria Peoples Party (with the return of democracy in 1999) before moving over to the defunct ACN.

Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, who is also of the ACN bloc, took over from Odigie-Oyegun, as national chairman. The current chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni, also has an ANPP background.

On Friday, a former Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the ACN, Sunny Moniedafe, declared interest in taking over from Mai Mala Buni.

Moneidafe told the media that his interest in the race was born out of the need to reposition the party for greater performance and service delivery.

He said, “With just about 90 days to our national convention, I don’t think it is too early to start my campaign. With me as national chairman by God’s grace our party will ensure that campaign promises are not mere rhetoric. I will ensure respect for all arms of government. A situation where the National Assembly will invite ministers and they will refuse to go is not right.

“We will also ensure that undue interference in the process of the section of candidates, a situation which cost us four states in 2019 does not repeat itself.”

In response to a question on the issue of zoning, he said, “My personal opinion is that the next President of Nigeria should come from the south. It could be the South East, South West of the South South. I know that you have to negotiate to get it, you cannot intimidate, blackmail or threaten people.”

Moneidafe, who described himself as a true Nigerian, said he was born by a Delta father in Adamawa State where he spent most of his formative years before moving to Abuja, where he has been for over two decades.

However, the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who is leading the campaign for his predecessor, Senator Tanko Al-Almakura, is appealing to party members to give the CPC bloc in the APC a chance to lead the party.

He has told whoever cared to listen that it would be in the interest of justice and equity for Al-Makura who is originally from the CPC bloc to be given a chance to provide leadership for the APC.

In one of his campaign stops in Nasarawa, Sule said, “Two of the legacy parties; ACN and ANPP each produced two national chairmen of the APC.

“The only legacy party that is yet to produce the national chairman is the CPC. Once the CPC is allowed to produce the next chairman of the APC during its forthcoming national convention, it’s only fair to consider Nasarawa State.”

Copyright PUNCH.

Sunday Igboho: Stakeholders, others accuse Afenifere, Yoruba leaders of backing independence declaration

Published

March 20, 2021

Timilehin Abaenogbe

The latest statement by Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, now popularly referred to as Yoruba activist, declaring Yoruba nation a separate country may just be a replay of the hand of Esau with the voice belonging to Jacob, stakeholders have said.

Igboho came to national prominence after he issued a quit notice to Fulani herdsmen, believed to have been terrorising the Ibarapa area of Oyo State. Specifically, he gave them seven days to leave the area or they would be forced to do so.

Though many took the quit notice as a joke of some sort, arguing that he had no right to ask any Nigerian to leave wherever they may choose to reside, he and his followers made good their threat, as on the due date, he stormed Igangan, which was then, the epicenter of the alleged criminal activities of the herdsmen. In the process, the Seriki Fulani of Igangan was dislodged from the area and he had to flee to Ilorin, where he has made his abode till date.

This singular action by Igboho catapulted him to national prominence, both positively and negatively. For many, he is a non-state actor that has no right to embark on such adventure, while many Yoruba supremacists applauded him to high heavens, elevating him to the status of a cult hero who has come to deliver his people from perceived bondage.

As good as many may have viewed his activities, Igboho, on Sunday took his activism to another level, declaring, albeit unilaterally that Yoruba people are no longer part of Nigeria.

In a video that went viral, Igboho with a caveat announced that the Yoruba people of the South-West geopolitical zone were tired of belonging to Nigeria and a Yoruba nation is in the offing.

Igboho said: “The Yorubas that are everywhere are larger than most countries, therefore, we call on the global community and the United Nations to come & separate us.

“We are no longer interested in being part of Nigeria. Before this becomes war, they need to intervene because we want to go.

“As it stands now, we are no longer under Nigeria. If they don’t intervene, it will go beyond control. We have gone beyond the point where we keep quiet; we are no longer scared to voice out.

“We are not safe anywhere, we can’t sleep in peace, we can’t travel in peace, what have we done? Are we slaves? We don’t do wrong by existing, we only chose the wrong leaders and we are saying enough is enough!

“TIN CAN in Lagos, Apapa, the directors are Fulani men. The two ports we have, the controllers are Fulanis. We don’t want them any more!

“All our Kings are solidly behind us, any of them that want to deny it should make a press conference, let’s see. He won’t see the light of the next day! My advice to the Yorubas in the North is to find your way back home.

“Start coming home, it is time! We have suffered enough, let’s not fight among each other, let’s unite for a common cause, it is time to come home. That’s all I have to say.”

Not to be caught unawares some youths in the Northern part of the country, the Arewa Youth Assembly, said that since Sunday Igboho has declared the Yoruba nation, saying they will no longer accommodate and accept the presence of Northerners, he should in the next 72 hours evacuate his people from the North or they will help him in doing so.

The Northern youths, in a statement signed by Mohammed Salihu Danlami, Speaker, Arewa Youth Assembly on Friday, said: “The Arewa Youth Assembly still affirms its position as a law-abiding civil youth organization, notwithstanding, it will not fold its arm and watch innocent Nigerians being threatened by individuals who clearly have no regard and respect for the law.

“As such, we will like to bring to the notice of Mr Igboho that since it is he who wants his people out of the North to form a Yoruba nation, we will make it easy for him by asking Mr Igboho to provide a means of transportation to convey his people to the southwest.

“We are, hereby, giving him the ultimatum of 72hrs to move his people out or we will be forced to take necessary actions by personally taking the responsibility of getting his people back home.

“We have kept quiet for the sake of peace and for the respect of the laws of our country. But as Mr Igboho rightly said, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, he either calls himself and his accomplices to order or force us to retaliate the best way we know.

“It is in the light of this recent event that we wish to call on the Northern elders, traditional rulers, and all security agencies to support us in accomplishing this task of evacuating the Yoruba out of the 19 Northern States and the FCT Abuja, making it a very peaceful exercise devoid of loss of lives and destruction of property or hijacked by hoodlums to prevent the reoccurrence of the EndSARS protest.”

With the response from the Northern youths, either real or a mere bluff, it is certain that the latest utterances of Mr. Igboho may do more harm than good to not the Yoruba people resident in the North but also the Nigerian nation.

DAILY POST, in a bid to understand the confidence and temerity with which Igboho has been carrying out his activities, spoke to a number of Yoruba stakeholders and the ordinary man on the street, and they were unanimous that it is impossible for him to be acting alone without the backing of some powerful forces who share the same ideology with him.

For many of the respondents, Igboho is merely a frontman and the voice of his backers, insisting that he is too low in the hierarchy of Yoruba elders and leaders to make such sweeping statements he made in the viral video.

For Mr. Tunde Sosina, who sees himself more as a Nigerian before being Yoruba, it was unfortunate that a character like Igboho, an acclaimed thug, though allegedly, could be speaking on behalf of the highly sophisticated people of the South-West.

“It is really unfortunate that Igboho has been elevated to such a height that he would come out and speak on behalf of the Yoruba nation. It is actually disheartening and an aberration that a race that parades such eminent personalities as we have can be reduced to such a level that Igboho can declare that we are no longer a part of Nigeria.

“And when you consider the fact that opinion leaders in the zone have not found it expedient to speak out against what he has said and declared, you begin to think there is more to meeting the eye. Whatever they are thinking that has not made them speak out against the supposed unilateral declaration, is best known to them, but I honestly believe Igboho has some backing”, Sosina said.

Speaking in the same direction, Mr. Agboola Oyekanmi, said the presence of Professor Banji Akintoye, the leader of the Yoruba World Congress and a known advocate of a Yoruba nation away from Nigeria, speaks volume of the kind of backing Igboho has.

“When I saw Professor Akintoye in the video, I knew immediately that Igboho is not acting alone, as the respected academic shares exactly the same views with him, and he has not hidden that fact over the years. But what I find curious is the fact that the Professor, with all his exposure and experience, will sit back to allow Igboho to play a leading role is such an instance.

“It may also be that because of his crudeness and oratory vibrations, they think he is better in driving home the point they are trying to make. But whichever way you view it, what they allowed to happen is a big insult to the Yoruba nation, both at home and in the Diaspora”, he said.

Another respondent, who does not want his name mentioned, said the silence of Afenifere is disturbing, insisting that the leadership of the apex Yoruba Socio-cultural organisation is both disturbing and implicating.

“I smell a rat with the silence of Afenifere. By now, they should have come out with a statement condemning Igboho’s declaration, if they are not secretly backing him or if he is not doing their bidding.

“The group, over the years, have always spoken out on issues affecting the Yoruba people, even in less serious manners, but when they are needed most to provide direction, they are nowhere to be found. You will recall that the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), shortly after Asari Dokubo declared the Biafra Customary Government and annexing the region into it, came out to dissociate themselves, declaring that it is not a secessionist group but one that is fighting for true federalism and restructuring. That, to me is what an organisation that is not working in concert with Igboho should have done. Speak out, make your stand known in an unambiguous manner. But for now, one may be right to conclude that Afenifere is complicit in this,” he submitted.

Bearing his mind on the subject, Mr. Adeola Ojo believes declaring a separate nation or government out of Nigeria has now become fashionable, following in the step of Nnamdi Kanu and most recently, Asari Dokubo.

“For me, it is the season of unilateral declaration of independent republics and constitution of alternate governments. It is the new trend for tribal activists, and it may not be long before someone or a group in the North will come up to join the circus show.

“For me, the likes of Kanu, Asari and Igboho should not be taken seriously, especially Igboho, who is merely basking in his new found fame and visibility. So he must do everything to himself in the spotlight and what better way does he have than to play to the gallery, which he has just done. No one should lose sleep over the empty declarations and threats, because they are only meant to foster the erroneous image of freedom rights or activism that has been attached to them”, he said.

Other respondents, who craved anonymity for one reason or the other, opined that the activities of Mr. Igboho are embedded with more dangers than good for Yoruba people domiciled in other parts of the country.

According to them, if the ultimatum of 72 hours for Yoruba people to leave the North is taken seriously, then Igboho has successfully exposed the same people he claims to be fighting for to more dangers.

Some other respondents, however, applauded him for being courageous and committed to the liberation of the Yoruba race. According to this group, the so-called leaders and elders of the race have abandoned the people for their selfish interests, leaving someone like Igboho to rise to the occasion

100 FACTS ABOUT GREAT BENIN EMPIRE

DO YOU KNOW THAT:

The Second Oldest Surviving Kingdom in the World is Great Benin Kingdom and is 2054 years Old. The Ogiso dynasty lasted for about 854 years plus an interregnum of 285 years between the reign of Ogiso Orire and Ogiso Odia, there was an interregnum of 70 years between Ogiso Owodo and Oba Oranmiyan(Odolorre) plus 845 years of Oba ruler-ship till date.
The First Storey Building in Nigeria was built at Ughoton by the Dutch in the year 1718, and it was called “The Factory”. The said building was destroyed by the British during the war against the Benins in 1897. The site of the building is still intact.
The Oldest Church in West-Africa was established in Great Benin Empire by the Earliest Portuguese missionaries in the 16th Century which is today known as the Holy Aruosa (Benin National Church). Pope Pius XII emissaries visited Benin and handed the church to the Oba of Benin, Oba Oreoghene in 1692AD.
The first Known Embassy Established in Nigeria was during the reign of Oba Esigie in the 16th century.
Elaba is the only Chieftaincy title in Benin Kingdom in whose presence the Oba’s Sword bearer (Omada) would ceremonially hold the Oba’s symbol of Authority(Ada) upside down 
Oba Orhogbua is the first literate king ever recorded in the present day West-Africa.
Chief Ogiamien is one of the Uzama N’Ibie (Uzama Minor), the council was created by Oba Esigie.
The Oldest known letter written in Nigeria was by Duarte Pires instructed by Oba Esigie which was addressed to King John II, on the 20th October, 1516AD. The second oldest letter was written by Anthonio Domingo (Great-grand Son of Oba Olua) to the Pope to seek for missionary assistance in other to spread Christianity in Benin Empire in 1652AD. 
Oba Orhogbua founded Lagos and planted a dukedom, the Obaship of Lagos (Eko).
Oba Orhogbua introduced the common salt from his numerous voyage to Benin Cuisine in replacement of our traditional organic salt (Obu).
The word Okoro means prince in Benin and Uvbi as princess.
Oba Orhogbua is the first Sailor king in the present day West-Africa.
They are five fighting Empire building Obas of Benin, Oba Ewuare I, Oba Ozolua, Oba Esigie, Oba Orhogbua and Oba Ehengbuda N’Obo.
Oba Ehengbuda was the last Oba of Benin to lead the Benin armies physically in battle.
Ogiso Odoligie and Oba Esigie were regarded as the redeemer kings because of their pre-ordination by God.
Ogiso Orriagba created the college (council) of the hereditary Uzama Chiefs.
The last Ogiso palace was located in the present day Ring-Road where the National museum is sited and it was called “Ogbe Ogiso”
Oldest ever recorded market in Africa is Ogiso (Agbado) Market dated 60BCE.
Ekpeye, Ogba and Iwurhuohna people of River State are children of Akalaka a Benin warrior that migrated from Benin to found their present location during Oba Ewuare I reign.
Onitcha town was founded by Benin royal house who migrated during Oba Esigie reign.
The shortest Oba that reigned in Great Benin kingdom was Oba Ezoti (14 days) 1473-1473AD.
They are three usurpers to the revered Benin throne, Oba Uwaifiokun (1430-1440), Oba Ozuere (1712-713) and Oba Ogbebo (1816-1816)
The longest Oba that reigned in Great Benin Kingdom was Oba Akengbuda (54 years) 1750-1804AD.
The oldest crown prince (crown prince Osifo) to become an Oba of great Benin was later crowned as Oba Obanosa.
Oba Akengbuda relocated from the palace to Ogbe N’Alaka to pave way for his son, crown prince Osifo (Oba Obanosa) to become an Oba i.e two Oba’s in one kingdom (Benin).
The first ever recorded bank (Owigho) in present day West-Africa was built in Benin kingdom by Oba Eresoyen, construction started in the year 1740AD and was completed in the year 1743AD.
Oba Akengboi kept his hair like a Rastafarian Benin call Agbihiagha.
Oba Ahenkpaye was dethroned because of his selfishness and ruthlessness by chiefs of Benin Kingdom.
Isi Aghadahomen, corrupted as Dahommey was a name of Esan General who led Benin warriors to conquer present day republic of Benin. The country was named in 1975 after their former colonial master. Great Benin Kingdom.
Oba Esigie created the school of astrology (Iwoki) and was the first man to speak a foreign language (Portuguese) in Nigeria in the year 1518AD.
Queen Idia (Oba Esigie mother) is the first Oba’s mother to be alive to see her son becoming an Oba. That’s because traditionally previous Crown prince mothers were killed before their Sons ascend the throne.
Oba Ewuare I conquered more than 201 towns and villages during his reign. This remarkable feat earned him the title Ewuare Ogidigan (Ewuare the great).
Iyase, Esogban, Eson and Osuma are referred to as the four Cardinal chiefs (Eghaevbo N’ore)
Since Oba Ewedo relocated the palace from Usama to Ogbe only four Oba’s were not buried at Ogbe. Hence “Aiguoba vbie Ogbe” (no one sleep at ogbe except the oba)
Agbodo mystically was buried at ogbe (he is the only man to ever achieve that feat after Oba Udagbedo enacted a law of nobody aside the Oba can be interred at Ogbe quarter)
Great benin kingdom has been ruled by 71 kings (documented) and 21 kings(undocumented) and two documented administrators (Evian and Agho Obaseki)and about 12 undocumented administrators
Ga tribe of present day Ghana migrated from Benin during the reign Oba Udagbedo of (1299-1334)
Oba Ahenzae is the youngest Oba to be crowned, was crowned when he was 16 years old.
Between Oba Ahenzae and Oba Ewuakpe the Oba-ship was rotated amongst different branches of the royal family for six reigns.
Oba Akenzua I is the richest monarch that ever ruled in Benin kingdom. Hence nicknamed Akenzua N’Isonorho (Akenzua, the money raining sky).
Oba Ewuakpe enforced the primogeniture Law in Benin Empire, called the Atoro oath. N.B: primogeniture had started during Ogiso Orriagba but was not consistent
The 39 Obas in second dynasty all ruled averagely in 22 years (excluding the present Monarch)
Ogiso Igodo or Obagodo is the oldest king that has ever ruled Benin Kingdom across the two dynasties, he reigned for 56 years.
Oduduwa was the exiled crowned prince from Benin known as Ekaladerhan, which is being purported as the progenitor of the Yoruba race.
The 31 Ogiso’s in the first dynasty all ruled in average of 28 years (excluding the 285 years of interregnum).
Prince Akennuzama rejected to be crowned as Oba of Benin instead asked the elders to crown his son Idova in his place because of his old age. Prince Idova was crowned as Oba Ewuakpe.
The monarch of Warri kingdom is an off shoot of the royal house of Benin kingdom founded by prince Iginuwa the Son of Oba Olua in the 15th century.
The Osemawe of Ondo was corrupted from Osemwughe, the Benin warrior who deserted Udo town, when there was war between Benin City and Udo town.
The word Ondo was corrupted from the town “Emwan N’Udo” (people of Udo town)
The world most famous mask Queen Idia mask was the face of FESTAC 77’ held in Lagos.
Ezomo is the last amongst the Uzama N’ihinron that was made hereditary by Oba Akenzua I.
The first Edaiken of Uselu is Crown prince Kuobuyuwa, son of Oba Ewuare I.
The word Benin was corrupted from Ubini by the Portuguese explorer meaning “a place of heavenly pageantry and prosperity”
Ohen Okun, Olokun priest of Ughoton is the first known Diplomat of Nigeria origin to Europe, who was sent as a Benin ambassador by Oba Esigie in the year 1526AD, hence the first man to be exposed to western education
Affonso .D. Aveiro is the first ambassador from Europe to Benin and first in Nigeria.
Olu Atuwatse (Dom Domingo) Son of Crown Prince Ginuwa and grand Son of Oba Olua who was sent to Portugal in 1601 for advanced studies by his Grandfather, the reigning Oba. He graduated from the University of Coimbra in 1611. He is the first person to obtain a European university degree in present day Nigeria. He later married the daughter of a Portuguese noble, Dona Feirs. Their son Antonio Domingo referred to in Benin History as the Golden Skinned king, succeeded him to the throne in 1643.
Oba Esigie is the first King in Africa to be baptized in the year 1504AD.in Benin.
Oba Ozolua N’Ibaromi was the father of Alani of Idoani, Olowo of Owo, Uguan of Ora and Eze of Aboh.
Oba Esigie created the title of Iyoba nu’Uselu (Queen Mother of Uselu).
The King of Benin can in a single day make 20,000 men ready for war, and, if need be, 180, 000, and because of this he has great influence among all the surrounding peoples … His authority stretches over many cities, towns and villages. There is no King thereabouts who, in the possession of so many beautiful cities and towns, in his capital – Olfert Dapper, description of Africa, 1668.
According to the Guinness Book of Records (1974 edition) described the walls of Benin City and its surrounding kingdom as the world’s largest earthworks carried out prior to the mechanical era.
According to estimates by the New Scientists Fred pearce, Benin City’s walls were at one point “four times longer than the great wall of China, and consumed a hundred times more material than the Great Pyramid of Cheops”
Benin City is surrounded by massive walls dug by Oba Oguola in 13th century and Oba Ewuare I in the 15th century.
Great Wall of Benin extended for some 16,000km in all, in a mosaic of more than 500 interconnected settlement boundaries. They covered 6, 500sq km and were all dug by the Edo people. 
The Great wall of Benin took an estimated 150million hours of digging to construct, and are perhaps the largest single archaeological phenomenon on the planet.
Benin City is the first City to have a semblance of street lighting in the world.
The Portuguese were the people who called our land “Great City of Benin” because they were astonished with what they saw that the Edo people achieved centuries before any major cities in the world.
1n 1691, the Portuguese ship captain Lourenco Pinto observed: “Great Benin, where the king resides, is larger than Lisbon; all the streets run straight and as far as the eyes can see.
In ancient times there were no doors in Great Benin because it was so secure that the people didn’t bother about doors and windows.
The Benins are the best bronze casters (Igun – eronmwon) in the world.
In the golden age, Oba Ewuare I changed Benin into a city states from a military fortress built by Ogiso.
Two kings were installed without a crown, Ogiso Igodo (40BC-16AD) and Oba Oranmiyan (Odolorre) 1170-1200AD.
The present palace has been burnt down three times, Prince Ogun who later became Oba Ewuare I, Oba Ogbebo and lastly the British military fiasco.
The first palace in Benin Kingdom was located at Ugbekun quarters built by Ogiso Igodo in about 40-42BC.
The progenitor of the Benin race is known by the earliest Benin oral documentary as “PA IDU”
Great Benin is known as the cradle of Black civilization and the centre of the world (Edorisiagbon).
Igodomigodo was the former name for what we now call “Edo land”
The Benin were the first to use sophisticated weapons (guns) to fight war(Idah war) in the present day Nigeria in about 501 years ago (August, 1516), the war was led by Oba Esigie mother (Queen Idia).
No female King has ever ruled Benin kingdom across the Two dynasties, the purported female Ogiso Emose(584-600AD) and Orrorro(600-618AD) are male kings on coronation, took over their mothers name.
All Oba’s in Lagos(Eko) were all buried in their ancestral home (Benin City) until late 19th century, to further lay credence to that Oba Osemwende in 1834 instructed Idewu Ojulari, the Oba of Lagos to zegbele(kill himself) the instruction was, expectedly, complied with. The Lagos Oba complied by taking poison.
Prior to present day civilization/infrastructural developments, ten gates/ roads historically led into Benin City. They are: 1). Akpakpava (Ikpoba) Road 2). Irhuase (Ogba). 3). Imose (Sapele). 4). Okhoro Road 5). Ughoton Road 6). Udo Road 7). Ugbor Road 8). Uhunmwun Idunmwun Road 9). Uselu (Oyesunu) Road. 10). Utantan (Esokponba) Road. 
Princess Edeleyo and Prince Kuoboyuwa are the only Edaiken in Benin History that was never crowned as the Oba of Benin.
The Oba’s of Benin starting from Ewuare I have a special body guards and police called Isienmwenro with an appellation of “Asaka no Soghionba” named so because of their swift justice system.
Ogiso Iredia created the morning salutation, which is unique to only the Benins world wide as a form of family identification system (FIS).
Laiso/Delaiso is the oldest morning greeting in Benin History.
Edo language belong to the Kwa – Negro language.
Oba Ovonramwen involved in the daily daily activities of his Kingdom while in Calabar through his magical telegraphic stool.
Ogiso Odoligie is the first recorded War king, who fought and conquered, Udo, Iguabode and Urhonigbe, through there he unified parts of independent places to be under the Sovereignty of Benin.
Ewuare is coined from the word “Oworuane” meaning it has cooled down.
In ancient time during the Ogiso Era, Benin Kings and wealthy Nobles used to go on a pilgrimage at a place called Uhe (not present day Ile-Ife) which is North East of Benin where Oghene’s altar built by Pa Idu (Progenitor of Benin/Edo race), whose guardian was often referred to in historical records as “the potentate of the interior”
The first and last king of Benin to visit Uhe on a pilgrimage was Ogiso Ere and Oba Ewuare I respectively.
The Benin equivalent of the Christian harvest is Emorho which was instituted during the Odionwere era, i.e. the era before Ogiso Igodo.
The Iwu body mark (modern tattoo) is the identity of the free born of the ancient Benin Empire.
The Iwu dress (Benin dress) was invented by Dr. Aisien Ekhaguosa.
The first Benin indigenous history writer is Chief Dr. J. U Egharevba he wrote the first book called “Ekhe re vbi itedo” published in 1933 and translated to English version by CMS press in 1934 “Short history of Benin”
Osagbaye is the first ritual festival started by the Benins.
Ughoton is the first known seaport established in West-Africa 
The first prison built in Edo land post-colonial era was built in the exact same spot that Oba Ewedo built the Benin Kingdom prison in the year 1275A.D.
The names of the First wives of the Oba of Benin was formerly known as Enahen but now presently called Eson nerie.
The head of the prison built in the pre-colonial era by Oba Ewedo was Chief Erigbo
The first prison system established in present day West – Africa was in Benin Kingdom in the year 1275 A.D. because of the feat achieved by the Oba, EWEDO means “prison” in Edo.
Extract from the book “ANCIENT TOWN OF IGBEKHUE” 

Originally written by Imasuen Amowie Izoduwa
Oba Gha To Kpere. Ise.