Prince Idugbowa was the eldest son of Oba Adolo and his mother was called queen Iheya. During his coronation he took the name Oba ovonramwen Nogbaisi in 1888. He was tall, stout and light in complexion with his majestic voice. He was blessed with six children [princes]Aiguobasimwin , Usuanlele, Ehigie and Uvbi [princesses] Evbakhavbokun, Omono, Orimwiame.

After his installation to the throne, he had some chiefs [Eribo, Obazele, Osia, Obaraye and others] who opposed his ascension killed.

At the early stage of his reign, the Europeans visited Benin-city, Blessby, Bey and Farquahar.
That same year the Odundun, the Deji [Udezi] of Akure acquired swords for himself without the consent of the Oba Of Benin. And when the Oba learnt of this in early 1889, he then sent Okpele to take the swords from Deji. After much threat Deji surrendered the swords to Okpele and he then took them to Beni-city. Odundun sent a lot of presents to the Oba, but the Oba refused to accept his presents.

That same year [1890] the Oba gave his daughter’s [ princess Evbakhavbokun] hand in marriage to Ologboshere.

Early 1890, the Oracle of Oghene of Uhe [Oni of Ife] warned Oba Ovonramwen to be cautious that he perceived calamity was going to befall the city.

May 1891, during the royal coral beads ceremony, a human sacrifice was offered to the gods, his name was Thompson Oyibodudu. During his execution he shouted saying ‘the white men that are greater than us are coming shortly to fight and conquered you and I, but do it quickly’. This manifested in the punitive expedition of 1897.

In 1892, chief Nana of Benin River, stopped all trade between the Benin and the Itsekiri’s and he also prohibited the supply of cooking salt. After a while the issue was resolved and trade commenced. Chief Nana continued to pay homage to the Oba.

Early 1896 the Oba stopped trading with the Itsekiri’s , because he felt the Benin were been cheated. After many negotiations, the Oba requested for twenty thousand iron sheets from their chiefs before he can allow trade to commence. He had gotten some Iron sheets and brass from Mr Cyril Punch and other Europeans in 1891/1892 which he had used in roofing the palace halfway but he needed more to complete it, hence his request from the chiefs.

In 1895 the Enogie of Ekpoma, in Ishan kingdom died and the people rebelled because they felt the Oba had ignored them and they needed a new leader so the Oba sent massagers over there, commanding them to install the eldest son of the late Enogie.

That same year, the Oba built a war camp [Eko] at Obadan village. He recruited ten thousand men to be trained, so they could be used in Agbor and other campaigns which he proposed to undertake.

The Europeans sent Gen. Mr Philip and eight others to induce
Chief Ologboshere was accused alongside others as the masterminded of the massacre of Philip and his party was trial and hanged. And Oba Ovonranmwen was dethroned and deported to Calabar where he lived and died. This event is referred to as the Benin massacre.
Oba Ovoranmwen was not a bad king, because of the war that occurred in his time; the trial showed that he was innocent of the massacre of Phillip’s party. He was unfortunate to have those advisers at that moment and it was his refusal to appeal before the final court judgement that causes him to be deported and deprived of his crown. He is still worth celebrating like other great Oba’s. His eldest son [prince Aiguobasimwin] succceded him and became Oba Eweka ii

http://www.jerkzones.com/2016/08/the-last-king-of-africa-oba-ovonramwen.html

Nice one Op
Looks like u love History