A pall of bereavement has descended upon the ancient Akpata Clan in Arogbo Ibe, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the death of His Royal Majesty, Samuel Akpo-Ebi Begry, the Amananawei of Akpata, whose passing has left his family, subjects, and the wider Arogbo kingdom in profound grief.
The revered monarch reportedly breathed his last on 24th October, 2026, after a brief illness, bringing to a close an earthly sojourn marked by traditional leadership, religious service, educational contribution, and family responsibility.
Beyond his occupancy of the traditional stool, the late Amananawei represented a living connection between ancestral heritage and succeeding generations. His departure has therefore become more than a personal family tragedy; it is a moment of collective sorrow for a people mourning the loss of a custodian of its customs, a repository of wisdom, and a father figure whose influence extended across generations.
The families of Bunuboh, alongside the Akpata Community Development Council (CDC) and the wider community, have formally announced the monarch’s demise in a statement conveying their grief and paying tribute to his enduring place in the history and identity of Akpata clan.
The departed royal father is survived by his aged mother, wives, brothers, cousins, children, uncles, and other relatives. While the bereaved family and community grapple with the painful reality of his departure, funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in due course.
As Akpata enters this solemn period of mourning, the memory of the late Amananawei is expected to remain woven into the community’s traditional heritage and collective history. His passing marks the end of a chapter in the life of the royal household and the community he served.
In keeping with the community’s desire to preserve the original announcement, which Arogbo-Ibe Voice Reporters receieved through the personal secretary to the deceased, Comr. Adeoba Ogilibo, below is the full press statement issued by the Akpata Community Development Council and the family:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (CDC) AKPATA, ESE-ODO LGA,ONDO STATE.
PRESS RELEASE
THE ANCESTRAL THRONE IS BEREAVED: WE MOURN THE TRANSITION OF HRM BEGRY SAMUEL
With hearts shattered by grief and profound sorrow, the Bunuboh families of ancient Akpata Community, alongside the entire clan, announce the painful departure of our revered traditional ruler, teacher, preacher, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, His Royal Majesty, Begry Samuel Akpo-Ebi, the Amananawei of Akpata, who passed away on 24 October 2026 following a brief illness.
His Majesty’s demise has plunged his family and the entire community into mourning. Beyond the royal stool he occupied, he was a custodian of ancestral heritage, a beacon of wisdom, and a father whose presence connected generations. His departure leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of his loved ones and the history of Akpata. Though his voice has fallen silent, the memories of his life and legacy shall endure.
He is survived by his aged mother, wives, brothers, cousins, children, uncles, and other relatives. As we mourn this monumental loss, we pray that the Almighty grants the bereaved family the fortitude to bear this painful separation and that the ancestors receive our departed Amananawei with honour and dignity. Details of his funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
The Amananawei has gone home, but his memory shall live forever in the hearts of his people.
Announcers:
High Chief Ebimiyenwei Ajube.
Chairman (CDC)
Chief Begry Sylvester Kuro,
For the Family
