We the entire direct descendants of His Excellency, Capt. Sir EDEDUNA WALTER OBASEKI, GCMG, GBE, OM, CH, PC, KCB, KBE, DSO, who hails from Ike town, near Abudu in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State.
Sir Ededuna Walter Obaseki, aBritish Administrator, Captain Of the British Merchant Navy, a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.
Commander of The British Empire (CBE) Agricultural Instructor; Pioneer Industrialist, Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Benin Province and Southern Region, member of the Nigerian National Council, British Ambassador, Head of Government, Governor Board of Trade, in the British Colonial Government
World War II Veteran and a recipient of the World War II Campaigns and Gallantry Medals of Honour:
1. THE 1939-1945 STAR
2. ATLANTIC STAR
3. BRITISH WAR MEDAL
4. ITALY STAR
awarded to officers and seamen of the British Merchant Navy by
HRM KING GEORGE VI.
Walter Ededuna Obaseki was also a Patron of the Anglican Church.
We commemorate and celebrate 84 years of our Grand Patriarch and father, Sir EDEDUNA WALTER OBASEKI, who passed away on the 24th of December, a day to Christmas 84 years ago. He came from the world War II just to say hello to his children only to pass away suddenly. Daddy your death took away very many things from us, as all your children were withdrawn from school immediately after your demise, though your first daughter Victoria Ededuna Walter Obaseki and Second daughter Alice Ededuna Walter Obaseki were amongst the executors of your will and testaments, none of your children inherited anything from your wealth and labour after the burial in 1940. Even the last born Richard Obaseki often say Ebe so gha la dian which means “Some of our father’s documents will soon be out”
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In your lifetime daddy, the Benin people always wished you well in all your voyages hence, they nicknamed you Okhien’Ewere, which means “safe journey”; Ode-Ode nomu’edohan, which mean “he causes great stare & awe in the eyes of the people”;
“Enienren Titi vbé Évbu-Ebo”;
meaning whose name reigns around the world. Even in Ughelli, Warri in Delta State they used to call you “Omo’rovie’Ugheli, kokori & the Urhobos call you Okpako” which means great man, because of your great works to humanity in the Southern region & other parts of Nigeria.
Your mother Princess Emokpokpo Obaseki was the daughter of Uvbie of Ughelli kingdom in the then southern region now present day Delta state.
Considering your exceptional contributions, daddy you were an embodiment of uncommon wisdom, knowledge, and courage. You plotted the sky, charted the sea, mapped the land to threshold and advanced the development of our great country Nigeria, as a colossus. You contributed greatly to the nation.
In the annals of history, certain individuals transcend the boundaries of ordinary existence, leaving behind legacy that echoes through time, this is particularly true of His Excellency, Sir EDEDUNA WALTER OBASEKI who recognised the value of agriculture, education, healthcare, civilization and development in the growth of the society and wellbeing of a people hence, you were a notable pioneer in several distinguished sectors of our economy, modern agricultural, confectionery farming, education, healthcare and development.
For your laudable contributions to agriculture, education, healthcare, navigation, administration, development, dedication and hard work, you were awarded with several awards, recognition and medals of honour for public works in Nigeria.
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We want to use this opportunity to thank everyone who has been helpful to us since the demise and burial of our father since 1940. We say thank you to the OGBEDOYO family, who are the brothers of Chief Agho Ogbedoyo Obaseki, and who never forgot the goodness of their brother’s son towards them. Thanks to friends & well wishers who were there for us, and to the children who contributed greatly towards this project. We also particular say a big thank you to the Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Division (NAEME) for the opportunity of service given to Godfrey Obaseki, the one that manage to get some education amongst the Ededuna Walter Obaseki’s children, we are indeed grateful to all who stood by us all this years.
SIGNED:
MERCY EDEDUNA OBASEKI
For the entire direct descendants of His Excellency Sir EDEDUNA WALTER OBASEKI