The oldest monarch in Delta State, Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area, His Majesty Richard Ogbon, Ogoni‑Oghoro I, has joined his ancestors at the age of 106. He was installed as the 12th Ohworode in 1988, when he was 70, and served as a Royal Canon and Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers of the Urhobo nation.
The news of his passing was announced on Friday by the Otota of Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Macaulay Ovbagbedia, during an enlarged meeting of community high chiefs and thought leaders held inside the Ohworode palace. He said, “We can confirm today that our Ohworode has gone back to God. He lived a great life; he served the government well and his people. We are mourning and celebrating. The reason is because he was old, but it’s painful though.”
Speaking also was the Akpile of Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje (SAN), who declared that “due to the happening, there shall be 21 days of mourning in the kingdom, during which there will be no celebration of burial and marriage.” He requested that chiefs refrain from wearing the traditional red cap and beads and instead don black armbands, while burial plans will be announced shortly.
Earlier, the community’s Ema traditional cultural troupe performed a cultural display, followed immediately by the booming of royal cannons 21 times to herald the king’s passage. Born on 20 January 1917, the departed Ohworode celebrated his last birthday—titled “Longevity King”—on 20 January 2023 with a thanksgiving after a two‑month health challenge. Until his death, he could drive himself, read without glasses, and had a full set of teeth; he also held the title of the oldest man (Okpako Orere) of the Ogoni Olomu community. His reign was marked by peace, progress, and development.
The monarch was baptized into the Anglican Communion in 1936 and retired as an Inspector of Education under the former Bendel State Ministry of Education.
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