17/11/2024
BENIN REBELS FROM UDO FOUNDED ONDO TOWN
After the defeat of Arhuaran by Oba Esigie, there was peace in Benin, until Osemwughe, the Odionwere of Udo, wishing to avenge the death of his master Arhuaran, raised a large army to attack Benin. The Oba got wind of his preparations and sent troops once again against Udo. In the fierce battle which followed, the town of Udo received devastating pounding, and Osemwughe and most of his rebels fled. The king's soldiers led by Odobo and Aile pursued them. Some of the camps of the troops on the way were Eko Odobo which later was known as Akotogbo, and Eko Aile which later became Ikale; the places were named after Odobo and Aile, leaders of the pursuing soldiers.
Osemwughe's men surrendered and pleaded for the Qba's mercy, and were forgiven. They then took oath of allegiance as they had decided to live in the new found home and pay annual tribute to the Qba. They were called emwa n' Udo, Udo citizens, shortened in time to Ondo. Their leader Osemwughe who then became their chief, became Oshemawe, the title of today's Ondo chieftain.
At the end of the Udo war, the Qba decreed that Udo should no longer be ruled by a prince, and he appointed an Iyase of Udo as chief of the place, and he derived his authority to rule from the Qba of Benin.
Esigie installed his mother, Idia, to the position of Queen mother, and sent her to reside at Uselu in 1506. Since then, every Oba has installed his mother as Iyoba of Uselu.
