The Benin community, led by Oba Akenzua II of Benin, was the catalyst for the agitation for the Mid-Western Region’s creation in 1948. The group demanded the establishment of a Mid-Western or Benin-Delta Region.
Honorable M. S. Sowole, a member of the Action Group in the Western Region House of Assembly at the time, presented a motion at the house’s sitting on June 14, 1955.
Minister of state JG Ako supported the motion with the title “Creation of a Separate State for Benin and Delta Provinces.” The motion states:
“I beg to move that this house asks Her Majesty’s Government in the UK to make the necessary constitutional arrangements at the proposed conference for a separate state of Benin and Delta provinces.”
That motion, which was in line with the request of high-ranking officials from the provinces of Benin and Delta, gave the issue some kind of legislative recognition. There were a number of possible interpretations for the motivation behind the motion, which came from a Yoruba member of the House.
According to the constitution of 1960, a referendum intended to garner support for a new region required approval from a two-thirds majority in both the Federal House of Representatives and Senate, as well as a majority in two-thirds of regions.
Festus Okotie-Eboh and his mentor, Humphrey Omo-Osagie, were busy lobbying northern leaders because they were aware of the crucial role that the governing party in the federal government in Lagos would play in initiating any legislative move toward the creation of the Midwest.
Festus Okotie-Eboh eventually managed to get the NPC’s Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu and Alhaji Ahmadu Bello to agree in principle to make an exception for the Mid-West because of its unique history, even though they were generally against the creation of new states.
The establishment of the Mid-western Region would not have been possible were it not for Chief Okotie-Eboh’s significant achievement. Festus Okotie-Eboh was given the title “Elaba of Uselu” as a reward for this strategic achievement in Benin.
However, on April 4, 1961, the federal House of Representatives unanimously supported the Mid-West people’s demand for a separate region, which was eventually established on August 9, 1963, through a referendum, from the Western Region’s Benin and Delta provinces. It was decided to make Benin City its capital.
Chief Dennis Osadebay, then the President of the Senate, was given the position of Administrator for the Mid-Western Region on August 12, 1963. On Saturday, August 17, he returned to work with his new administrative team and arrived in Benin from Lagos via Ibadan.
To celebrate the victory, celebrations were held, traditional dances were performed, and the locals were overjoyed.
The First Cabinet Members of the Mid-Western Region, 1964 included:
Premier Dr. Hon. Chief Dennis Osadebay
Minister, Local Government & Chieftaincy Chief H Omo-Osagie
Minister, Economic Development Chief O. Oweh
Minister, Finance Chief O.I. Dafe
Minister, Health Mr. John Igbrude
Minister, Works and Transport Dr. Christopher Okojie
Minister, Justice Mr. Webber G. Egbe
Minister, Education Chief FH Utomi
Minister, Establishments Mr. John Umolu
Minister, Information Reverend Imevbore Edeki
Minister, Lands & Housing Mr. ES Ukonga
Minister, Internal Affairs Prince Shaka Momodu
Minister, Trade & Industry Mr. JA Orhorho
Minister, Agriculture and Natural resources Mr. VI Amadasun
Minister, Labour and Social Welfare Mr. EO Imafidon
Minister of State (Finance) Mr. GI Oviasu
Minister of State (Agriculture & Natural Resources) Chief FU Osuhor
Minister of State (Local Government & Chieftaincy) Hon. LST Fufeyin
Minister of State (Premier’s Office) His Highness, Enosegbe II, Onogie of Ewohimi
Minister of State (Premier’s Office) His Highness, Gbenoba II, Obi of Agbor