{About
40BC-16AD}
Igodo or Obagodo established the kingdom in the sense that it was during his period the components of Benin were united and formed into a central Administrative Unit. He was the first recorded Ogiso {monarch} of Igodomigodo {Benin} kingdom with his seat of government at ugbekun. He created the Edion Nene the {four elders} Oliha, Edohen, Ero and Eholo they were chosen based on their merit, to help the Ogiso management the affairs of the kingdom. Their positions were not hereditary if any of them died the post is fill is with any person who remit the position. They were later to be knows as uzama nire hion {the seven kingmakers}.
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2nd
Ere
{About
16AD-66AD}
He succeeded his father in about 16 AD .The first Ogiso to wear a crown, a lover of peace.He transferred the capital of Igodomigodo {Benin kingdom} from Ugbekun to Uhudumwunrun .Created many villages .Build the first market called Ogiso market this market is now known today as Agbado market .Introduced the specialized professional guild system of carpenters {Owina}and{Igbesamwan}the wood and ivory carvers. To promote the highest ideals .theses guilds were accorded royal patronage. To this day guild like those of wood carvers are still operating at Igbesanmwan He introduced what became the key components in Africa monarchism. Ekete {a royal stool}, Agba [{a rectangular stool}, and Ekpoki {a leather box},the round leather fan {Ezuzu}, beaded anklets {Eguen} collars odigba a simple undecorated form of crown, the swords of royal authority, {Ada and Eben} the former a sword of honour and the latter sword for royal dancing.
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3rd
Orire
Ogiso Orire ascended the throne of Igodomigodo kingdom {Benin kingdom} in about 66AD, in continuation of the hereditary system after the dead of his father it is not clear who actually transferred the capital of Igodomigodo {Benin} kingdom from Ugbekun to Uhudumwunrun He or his Father Ere.Tradition says Orire dead childless plunging the monarchy into a period of confusion that lasted for about 3 centuries, without a royal successor.
During this period Igodomigodo, kingdom {Benin kingdom} became a republic nation and fragmented, each community was govern by their community elders {Owere} and the oldest man in the community Odionwere they manage the day-to-day affair of their various community.The ancient system of self-governance.
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4th
Odia
{About 385AD-400AD}
After more than three century of confusion, and as republic the communities that make up Igodomigodo land {Benin kingdom} agreed to a unified community under a monarchial government.Odia the oldest person in the united community was crowned the Ogiso of Igodomigodo kingdom [Benin kingdom] becoming the first Ogiso Odionwere of the kingdom, {A system there by the oldest person in the community is crowned the monarch of the kingdom.
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{About 400AD-414AD}
Before he ascended the throne, tradition says, he was a skillful blacksmith.
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6th
Evbuobo
{About 414AD-432AD}
No much is know about him
.
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7th
Ogbeide
{About 432AD-447AD
No much is know about him.
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He was born in Emehe quarter and he was a great diviner.
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9th
Ekpigho
{About 466AD-
482AD}
Before he ascended the throne, he was a financier.
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10th
Akhuankhuan
{About
482AD-
494AD}
Before his abstention to the throne he was into commerce
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11th
Efeseke
{About494AD-508AD}
Born in Urube quarter in Benin City Before his abstention to the throne, he was a livestock farmer.
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12th
Irudia
{About 508AD-522AD}
No much is know about him.
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13th
Orria
{About 522AD-537AD}
Before his abstention to the throne, tradition says he was a professional game hunter.
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Imarhan
{About 537AD-548AD}
Before his abstention to the throne, tradition says he was skilful potter.
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15th
Etebowe
{About
548AD-567AD}
Before his abstention to the throne, tradition says he was a skilful wrestler
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16th
Odion
{About 567-584AD}
Tradition says He was lover of songs and music,a folk tale teller.
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17th
Emose
{ABout
584AD-600AD}
Some Historians are of the view that Emose was a female Ogiso {queen}.Others disagrees, in their view; Emose was a posthumous male child who inherited his mother’s huge wealth and took his mother’s name along with it. And no female has ever reign in Ighodomigodo kingdom [Benin kingdom].
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18th
Ororo {Orhorho}
{About 600D-618AD}
Some Tradition says Ogiso Ororo {Orhorho} was a male Ogiso. Before his abstention to the throne, he was a skilful blacksmith and great trader .Other tradition are of the view that Ororo {Orhorho} was a female Ogiso {queen} she was assassinated due to her wickedness why on her way to Omi her mother’s native village.
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19th
Erebo
{About 618AD-632AD}
Before his abstention to the throne traditional historians says, he was an angler and canoe carver.
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20th
Ogbomo
{About 632AD-647AD}
Before his abstention to the throne tradition says, he was an traditional midwife.
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21th
Agbonzeke
{About 1661AD-1669AD}
Tradition says he was an historian and philosopher.
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22th
Ediae
{About 1669AD-1675AD}
He was the last Ogiso Odionwere Before his abstention to the throne, tradition says he was a skilful wood carver and sculpture.
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23th
Orriagba
{About 685AD-712AD}
He changed the odionwere system of Ogisoship to hereditary system. He created the title Ezomo to join the four exciting members of Edion Nene the {four elders} Chief Oliha, Edohen, Ero and Eholo-Nire and called them Edionnisen {the five elders} and make their position to be hereditary.
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24th
Odoligie
{About 712AD-767AD}
Tradition says he was a very resourceful Ogiso, a warrior; he conquered many towns and villages.He stabilized the state by the formation of the Benin Army during his reign. A class of people known as "Iyokuo"-the warriors-- was established.
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25th
Uwa
{About 767AD-821AD}
He inherited a great kingdom Brass casting was introduced into Benin kingdom during his reign He decorated his daughter Emwinkururre with brass bangles/ankles.
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26th
Eheneden
{About 821AD-871AD}
He inherited a large kingdom and wealth, improved art craft and trade.
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27th
Ohuede
{About871AD-917AD}
During his reign, there was serious inflation. There were other pestilences which followed. People counterfeited the coins of the realm by bringing illegal money into the country. What really happened was that people suddenly discovered a large quantity of cowries (which was the then known coin or money in use) and there after flooded the country with it. The attendant result was inflation.
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28th
Oduwa
{About 917AD- 967AD}
The kingdom was in the state of anarchy during his reign.
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29th
Obioye
{About 967 AD-1012AD}
When Ogiso Obioye came in as ruler, he harnessed the whole currency by nationalizing cowries wherever they were in private hands or with the state.This money became scarce and its value restored. It is this state of affairs which gave rise to the expression "a valuable article purchased with Obioye's Coin". Ogiso Obioye therefore was the first king who reformed the currency.
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30th
Arigbo
{About1012AD-1059AD}
He was a great merchant.Some tradition says he introduced the use cowries as currency and slave labours.
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31st
Owodo
{About 1059AD-1100AD}
He was the last Ogiso, of Igodomigodo {Benin kingdom} banished to Ihinwirin for the killing of a pregnant woman.He brought a lot of stresses and hardship on the nation he was incompetent. He more or less fell back to the habit of not summoning the state council meeting unless there was trouble. He was preoccupied wit the primogeniture law especially as he had only one son who he thought might die before him which might leave him without a successor. This obsession drove him to consult the oracle as to how he might have more male children who might succeed him. In the end, the tragic episode of Ikaladerhan's banishment came into our history. However, Ikaladerhan by a change of fortune eventually emerged at Uhe (or Ife) as a king with the appellation Ododuwa derived from the Benin word "Imaghidoduwa or Imadoduwa" which is an exclamatory word "I have not missed the path to prosperity" a reminiscence of his surprise at his emerging as a king in a strange land after having left as a refugee.
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