As Olomu Celebrate Her New King-HRM Albert Akpomudje, SAN, FCIArb-The Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom...
By Emmanuel Ogheneochuko Arodovwe
emmaochuko@gmail.com
14th November, 2025
Olomuland, comprising 14 Communities, is in an unusual celebratory mood. They have a new king in HRM. Albert Akpomudje, SAN, FCIArb, who is to be officially installed the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom on Saturday 15th November, 2025. The reception will hold at the King's residence in Akperhe, Olomu.
The oldest system of administration and governance is the kingship and monarchical system. Even the Almighty God styles Himself as "King of the Universe" and "King of Kings", rather than "Executive President".
Bible stories of God sitting on the "throne" depicts the imagery of royalty, kingship and monarchy. The denotation of Jesus Christ as "Prince of Peace" also strikes monarchic chords. Kings David, Solomon and Josiah etc., show the Old Testament practice of monarchical leadership.
The monarchical institution has continued to retain its magnificence and elegance despite the attack on it by the Enlightenment Movement of the 18th century Europe.
The Egyptian civilisation, with its amazing wonders and landmarks were overseen by pharaohs who were kings of Egypt - the last being Queen Cleopatra.
The Macedonian Empire was overseen by a 21 year old Emperor-king, Alexander the Great, who succeeded his father Phillip II, and, who, by the time of his death at 32, had conquered three -quarters of the earth's land mass.
The Roman Empire was driven by the wisdom and courage of kings epitomized in the persona of Julius Caesar.
Louis XVI was King of France up till 1789, and although, he became the unfortunate casualty of the sweep of modernity, enlightenment and liberal democracy, it makes sense to believe that, 300 years after, the French people may be looking at their British counterparts with concealed admiration, at the elegance of their monarchy, and wish perhaps, that they had been more thoughtful in the rapidity with which they abolished their monarchical institution.
Africa has had her own history of the monarchical tradition, reaching back to ancient antiquity in the Pharaohs of Egypt. The incidence of colonialism and the artificial state structure in Africa weakened these institutions for what is now described as the democratic system. In assessing the outcome of that accidental transition, we can quickly take the embarrassing example of Nigeria and make the verdict ourselves.
It is on the basis of the foregoing that the event of Saturday November 15, holds high significance. Olomu has a new King in His Royal Majesty, Albert Akpomudje SAN FCIArb. He will reign as the 14th Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom. That is some history, running to at least 200 years back.
But the significance of this event lies less in the elegance of thrones in general and pride in monarchy; and more in the specific place of Olomu in Urhobo history and the Niger Delta.
First, Olomu occupies a central location in the physical geography of Urhobo land. Second, Olomu's origin is ancient; indeed, it is among the oldest of Urhobo 24 kingdoms. For this reason, Peter Ekeh and Onigu Otite refers to Olomu as one of the "primeval" subcultures of Urhobo. Third, there is conclusive evidence that Okpe people migrated from Okpe-Olomu, and Agbon migrated from Agbon-Olomu, and Olomoro in Isoko had their take-off point in Olomu - as their name suggests.
But Olomu's significance is much more than these notable historical achievements.Olomu was the epicenter of British commerce and industry in Urhobo hinterland.
The first business tycoons and wealthy men in Urhobo land were made in Olomu. Examples are Chief Mukoro Mowoe and HRH Ovedje Osadjere. Mukoro Mowoe was from Evwreni, but the thriving business in Olomu brought many from afar to live and work there.
They took advantage of the business opportunities in the Royal Niger Company (RNC), which later became United African Company (UAC), with its headquarters in Okpare. They became exporters of agricultural products such as palm oil and kernel, and importers of textiles and other products. Chief Mukoro Mowoe made his first trip to Liverpool, United Kingdom, through Okpare, Warri, and Forcados in 1929. So significant was Olomu to Mukoro Mowoe's history and destiny that he married his first wife from Oviri-Olomu with whom he had his first child, James. Mukoro Mowoe would later use his wealth and high influence to mobilize Urhobo people under the aegis of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), which he led, to relocate the Government College to Ughelli, and found the Urhobo College, Effurun, in 1949. Coincidentally, HRM Albert Akpomudje SAN, FCIArb, is the current President Worldwide of the Government College Ughelli Old Boy's Association (GCUOBA).
The enterprising spirit of the Olomu people has no respect for gender. HRH Ovedje Osadjere's youngest sister was Omotogor. She got married to a modest man named Ibru in Agbarha. That couple gave birth to the wealthiest man of his generation in Nigeria and Africa, and Omotogor played a huge role in that saga. Michael Ibru would go on to break every existing record in business and commerce, and was, in his prime, one of the richest men in the world.
There is yet another reason why Olomu is unique. It holds a record of a reign of outstanding monarchs who have sat on the throne as kings.
HRH Ovedje Osadjere was, in his time, alongside Chief Mukoro Mowoe, the highest political office holder in Urhoboland. He was also one of the wealthiest of his generation, and credited with owning the first storey building in Urhoboland.
HRH George Consin Mosheshe was a standout monarch of repute. He was father of Olorogun Evang. Jeremiah Mosheshe, who graduated from the London School of Economics in 1966. It took a man of great awareness and means to send his son to that institution in the 1960s. Jeremiah, his son, came back to become a fish magnate and businessman, and built the popular "City of God", Airport Road, Effurun.
There is also the quentessential monarch HRM. Layeguen Ogbon, who reigned till the ripe age of 106, in 2023. He was an educationist par excellence, retiring as Chief Inspector of Education for the Midwest in 1975.
It is into these proud tradition of impeccable monarchic reign that HRM Albert Akpomudje SAN FCIArb now steps.
The new King is a doyen of legal practice and Jurisprudence, attaining to the reputable position of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). He is the Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers and is also a life bencher.
HRM Akpomudje's contribution to the Urhobo Progress Union is immense, once serving as its Secretary General. In his role as President Worldwide of the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA), HRM has enhanced education and impacted the people positively in various ways. It is of particular pride to the members of the University of Lagos Alumni Association, Warri Circle, that one of their most distinguished members is to be installed the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom. HRM Akpomudje has mentored a generation of leaders in the UniLag Alumni Association, and his persona and experience has been invaluable in piloting the affairs of the Association over the years.
His Royal Majesty will bring to bare his professional and managerial experience, wide influence, and juridical competence in his reign over Olomu Kingdom.
Olomu land is rich in oil and gas. Oviri-Olomu in particular bleeds crude oil at the slightest pierce of its earth. But the laws governing the drilling and exploration of the product are weak and porous. They enrich the companies and impoverish the inhabitants. His Royal Majesty's reign will address these issues.
The term of office of Olorogun Emmanuel Aguariavwodo as NDDC boss transformed the network of roads in many communities of Olomu; but the power situation remain in dire straits. HRM will certainly make positive impact in this regard.
As highlighted earlier, Olomu Kingdom was the epicenter of international trade in Urhoboland in colonial times. Merchant ships moved goods from the Okpare River to and from Liverpool in England. That milestone attainment will be revived in Olomu under the reign and supervision of HRM Albert Akpomudje. There is no doubt that HRM's reign will take Olomu back to the zenith of prosperity and well-being in Urhoboland.
A final point is noteworthy. The Olomu people are blessed with longevity. Michael Ibru's mother, Omotogor was 99 when she died in 2006; HRM Richard Layeguen Ogbon lived up to 106; Pa Izeze Taiga, father of Olorogun Moses Taiga, also lived up to 106, and so many more.
On the strength of this very wonderful precedence, we wish our new king many peaceful and prosperous years on the throne as the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom.
Ajuwe! Ajuwe!! Ajuwe!!!
Wo sun to
Emmanuel Ogheneochuko Arodovwe is the Publicity Secretary of the University of Lagos Alumni Association, Warri Circle
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