Agba Nojie of Uromi

Agba N'Ojie inherited the Uromi Throne after the death of his father Onojie Ijesan, the first Onojie of Uromi. His motivation and resolve were to free his kin from the control of the old Benin Empire. The general population of Esan Kingdoms initially relocated from Benin City amid the rule of Oba Ewuare the Great. These tiny settlements extended through interior development and recorded movements from Benin around five centuries back. Such movements into the zone were accepted to have happened even before. They were driven by ousted sovereigns, bosses, culprits, and others who had abandoned Benin City for the uninhabited woodland before 1460 Ewuare's reign as the Oba of Beni. This was done either through the self-centeredness and outrages of a portion of the Obas, or following the cataclysmic common wars over progression.

Recorded relocation out of Benin City occurred amid Oba Ewuare's reign in the fifteenth century when the Oba lost his two children and ordered some unforgiving laws, including restricting the subjects from cooking, washing, or having sex for a long time. It was the individuals' hatred of the new way of life in Benin City that made them wish to move into the forest. The Oba tried to battle against the parties that migrated into Esanland; however, they failed. Oba Ewuare's pugnacious nature drove him to conquer 201 towns yet not Esanland. For a significant number of the scattered settlements in Esanland, the Oba needed to utilize discretion to bring them under Benin's dominion. He welcomed Esan pioneers or their agents to Benin for a détente. He dangled appealingly before them a connection to Benin City. He was prepared to perceive and respect his guests with the title of Onojie, which means King. However, there is no record of any individuals who might have received the invitation and disregarded it.

They have vanished from history, for the future, Esan laid on the individuals who went to Benin and took the title of Onojie. Agba's father was one of the pioneers initiated by Oba Ewuare in 1463 as the first Onojie of Uromi. At the time when Agba assumed control over the position as the Onojie after the passing of his father, Onojie Ijesan found the way Oba Ewuare utilized discretion and manipulations to bring the Esan people under the Bini control, choosing to end the Bini control over the Esan people. So when Oba Ozolua/Ozolua N'Ibaromi (Ozolua the Conqueror) extended a hand of friendship to Agba Nojie of Uromi, King Agba of Uromi, bluntly and gallantly refused the friendship with the Oba, saying that it was not an honest friendship and a gesture whose essence was dead on arrival. Indeed, that was a blow to the ego of Oba Ozolua, and as a result, War was declared between the two Generals, Oba Ozolua of Benin and Onojie Agba Nojie of Uromi, eventually becoming the Bini Esan War.

Ahojie Bush

During the 16th century, the Uzea War occurred, which is now known as the Bini Esan War. This War was between the Uromi Kingdom and the Benin Kingdom. The War lasted for many years due to a refusal of friendship from Oba Ozolua of Benin by Onojie Agba N'ojie of Uromi. Oba Ozolua moved with his warriors to Esanland and beheaded the Onojie of Uzea during the War. The War ended at the town of Uzea, when Oba Ozolua was beheaded during the War in Esanland, however, King Agba N'ojie of Uromi did not die immediately, and rather vanished into Ahojie bush and was never seen till date. The people of Esan defined him as a God of War and is being worshipped today under a tall Kapok tree that is evergreen throughout the year. It was after that War that the original coinage of Esan, Gbe, and Edo originated, Meaning Esans has defeated the Binis in War. At that time, it was even used as a name among Esans as well. The Bini warriors went back home after the defeat, and narrated the intense dreadful nature and gallantry of Esans, the anger of cross quarrel and zest to fight again, led to the coinage by the Bini warriors, that where ever you see a snake and the Esan, kill the Esan first, but good enough. One of the Bini warriors was of an Esan mother, and he vehemently said that Esan could never be killed because they are enigmatic. However, in peaceful times as time went on, there were more wars around the corner for Esans and Binis to take care of. A peace treaty was signed between the Esans and the Binis, which the Esan call ukoven. This was done and sealed by planting the Ohimi tree, and pledged on the Ohimi oath, "Esan I Gbedo...". This is now known today as "Esan Igbe Edo" meaning Esans will no longer attack Binis. Esan kingdoms would loan soldiers to the Benin Kingdom, such as during the Idah War of 1515-1516. As well on three occasions when some Obas of Benin were denied, they ran down to Esanland and were led by Esan warriors, back to Benin, to reclaim their rightful Throne as Oba. An example of this is Oba Osemwende (1816–1848).[3]

Agba N'Ojie of Uromi's exact date of death was never confirmed because he vanished into Ahojie bush in Uromi and was never seen.

Agba N'Ojie Shrine

Alu-Agba Deity is a God of War, worshipped today under a tall Kapok tree every Uromi first market day by the Esan people. They believe that Agba N'Ojie has the power to protect them during War and hard times.

• Ogbidi Okojie