Osagie Ize-Iyamu

Osagie Ize-Iyamu is a Nigerian pastor, political figure, former chief of staff and secretary to the Edo state government. He is the gubernatorial nominee of the Edo state People's Democratic Party for the 2016 Edo state gubernatorial election.^[1] He was previously a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).^[2] He was the National vice-chairman, South-South Zone of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).^[3]

He served as Director General of Adams Oshiomhole's 2nd term Campaign Organisation. He was also the Coordinator of Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation. Recently, he was honoured by the Benson Idahosa University with an honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration.^{[4] [5]}

Early life and family

Osagie Ize-Iyamu was born in Benin City on the 21st day of June 1962. He was sired of Chief Robert Osayande Ize-Iyamu and Mrs. Magdalene Naghado Ize- Iyamu (née Obasohan), both of blessed memory. His father was a revered high chief of the Oba of Benin, ranking second in command until his demise as the Esogban of Benin. His mother was a trained teacher who later distinguished herself as a very successful trader.

Osagie Ize-Iyamu is a descendant of an illustrious family deeply rooted in nobility and with an outstanding record of service to the community and society. His forefather, Chief Odia was the Iyase'N’ohenmwen (Prime Minister) of Benin in the reign of Oba Osemwende (1816 – 1848 A.D). Osagie Ize-Iyamu's maternal heritage is also of notable repute. His mother's father was the well known Obasohan of Akpakpava.

The Ize-Iyamu family originated from the present day Iguododo in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. The mother of Chief Izevbizua Iyamu, the Obahiagbon of Benin, Osagie's grandfather was from Usen in Ovia South-West Local Government Area. Remarkably too, Osagie's father's mother, Igbinoghene Ize-Iyamu (née Ogiemwanre Obazuwaye) hailed from Ughoton, in Ovia North-East Local Government Area while her mother came from Ute in Ikpoba Okha. The Obasohan N'Akpakpava Family which is Osagie's maternal family came from Erua of Igieduma Ward, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

It is pertinent to state that late Pa Obasohan, Osagie Ize-Iyamu's maternal grandfather and the mother of His Majesty, Oba Erediauwa were first cousins. His mother's maternal family is of the Oyeru Family of Oredo Local Government Area.

A most significant aspect of the history of the Ize-Iyamu family is that it holds the record of building and owning the first storey building "Egedege N'Okaro"^[6][7] in the whole of the Mid-Western Region, Nigeria which is the present day Edo and Delta States. It was built in 1906 by Osagie's great grandfather Late Chief Iyamu, the Inneh of Benin Kingdom. It is in this revered historical house that Osagie Ize-Iyamu grew up under the shadows of inspiration.^[8]

Education

He attended St. Joseph Primary School and Ebenezer Nursery and Primary School in Benin City. He had his Secondary education at Edo College the premier secondary school in Edo State and passed out with grade I in his West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations. He attended the University of Benin where he graduated with an LLB (Hons) and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos where he bagged the Bachelor of Law (BL).

Personal life

Osagie Ize-Iyamu is happily married to Pastor (Dr) Idia Ize-Iyamu, a Consultant Orthodontist with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and a Senior Lecturer in the University of Benin. They are blessed with four children.

References