Keagborekuzi I
Obi Keagborekuzi I (born Benjamin Keagborekuzi Ikenchukwu or Ikenchuku on 29 June 1977) is the Dein (or Obi) of Agbor, a Nigerian traditional state in Delta State, Nigeria. He was named the world's youngest crowned monarch in the 1980 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records. He was the Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (2006-2015).[1]
Keagborekuzi I | |||||
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Dein of Agbor | |||||
In office | 2001 – present | ||||
Coronation | 1979 | ||||
Born | Agbor, Bendel State, Nigeria | 29 June 1977||||
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Father | Obi Ikenchukwu I | ||||
Mother | Queen Grace Ikenchukwu (née Isedeh) | ||||
Religion | Christianity |
Early life, kingship education
Keagborekuzi I was born on June 29, 1977, in Agbor, Bendel State (now part of Delta State), Nigeria, to Obi Ikenchukwu I and Queen Grace Ikenchukwu (née Isedeh). His mother died in a motor crash on November 2, 1977, and his father, on April 29, 1979. In 1979, after the unexpected demise of his father at age two and a half, he was crowned as the child king of the kingdom of Agbor.[2] His name, Keagborekuzi means, "What is Agbor saying again?" The young crowned king was thereafter flown abroad where for about the first twenty years of his life, he remained. To govern the kingdom, a regent reigned in his stead until 2001 when he returned to take over the governance of the monarchy. His 42nd birthday on Saturday June 25, 2019, was celebrated amidst pleasantries and praises from the Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.[1]
In 2003, he helped resolve a dispute between ao enemy, the Agbor-Obi Youth Movement and the police.[3]
He was present with other monarchs of his home state who met in February 2020 to place a ban on herdsmen activities in their domains following attacks in the area by the herdsmen.[4]
In March 2020, he told Daily Times Nigeria that his chiefdom would partner with the NAPTIP to end trafficking in persons in his domain.[5]
References
- Asabor, Isaac (11 December 2019). "Dein Of Agbor Kingdom: 40th Year From Childhood To Kinghood". Independent. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- "OIF Newsletter Vol 2 No.6". Queen Grace Foundation. 20 July 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- "ACCORD - Austrian Center for Country of Origin & Asylum Research and Documentation". Ecoi.net. 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- "Delta monarchs bar armed herders from domains". Guardian. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- Francis, Chuka (3 March 2020). "We will partner NAPTIP to end human trafficking -Monarch". Daily Times Nigeria. Retrieved 1 February 2021.