In a remarkable fusion of tradition, faith, and academic excellence, the traditional ruler of Emede Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty Johnson Egbo, Ewhiri II, is set to be called to the Nigerian Bar on November 25, 2025. The event marks an extraordinary chapter in the life of a reigning monarch who has balanced the weighty responsibilities of kingship with an unwavering pursuit of higher education, culminating in the completion of his legal training at the Nigerian Law School.
The news has sent waves of celebration across Emede Kingdom and beyond, with community members, traditional title holders, political leaders, and well-wishers hailing the Ovie’s journey as nothing short of inspirational. For a sitting traditional ruler to attain the prestigious status of a legal practitioner while actively governing his domain is virtually unheard of in contemporary Nigerian traditional institutions, making HRM Egbo’s accomplishment a beacon of possibility for many.
Born with humble beginnings, His Royal Majesty’s life trajectory has been defined by service in its various forms. Long before the crown rested upon his head, he served as a dedicated pastor in the Christ Apostolic Church, where his spiritual leadership earned him respect and admiration. In 1998, destiny summoned him to a higher ancestral calling when he ascended the throne of Emede Kingdom as Ewhiri II. The transition from the pulpit to the palace was not taken lightly. Sources close to the monarch reveal that the decision was preceded by intense periods of prayer, fasting, and deep reflection, underscoring his profound sense of duty both to God and to his people.
Yet even as he assumed the sacred responsibilities of mediating disputes, preserving culture, fostering development, and upholding the customs of the Emede people, HRM Egbo never allowed the demands of royalty to stifle his thirst for knowledge. Armed initially with only a secondary school certificate, the monarch made a bold decision that would alter the course of his legacy: he returned to the classroom.
He sat for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations as a mature student, passed creditably, and secured admission into Igbinedion University, Okada, one of Nigeria’s foremost private institutions. There, he pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree while simultaneously discharging his royal obligations—attending to palace matters, settling communal disputes, receiving dignitaries, and spearheading developmental projects in the kingdom. The dual role required extraordinary discipline, time management, and resilience, qualities for which the Ovie has long been celebrated.
Upon successful completion of his university education, HRM Egbo proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, where the rigours of vocational legal training tested even the most dedicated students. Lectures, court attachments, portfolio assessments, and the infamous Bar Final examinations formed a gauntlet that many find daunting under normal circumstances. For a reigning monarch travelling regularly between his kingdom and the Law School campus, the challenges were magnified exponentially. Nevertheless, he excelled, emerging victorious and eligible for the November 2025 Call to the Bar ceremony in Abuja.
Community reaction has been one of overwhelming pride and jubilation. Traditional drumming and chants of “Ogbodu! Acacabraka! Okonakpenuhu!”—ancient salutations reserved for moments of great triumph—have reverberated through villages and town halls. Social media platforms popular among the Isoko nation have been flooded with congratulatory messages, photographs of the monarch in academic gown, and testimonies of how his example has rekindled hope among youths who once believed formal education was incompatible with certain life paths.
Hon. Emakpor Odogu, Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Community Development, captured the sentiment perfectly in a widely circulated statement: “His Royal Majesty Johnson Egbo has demonstrated that age, status, and circumstance are no barriers when purpose is aligned with determination. From the altar to the throne, and now to the Bar, he has scripted a legacy that will inspire generations of Deltans and Nigerians. His life is a testament to the truth that leadership is not merely inherited; it is continually earned through sacrifice and self-improvement.”
Political leaders, traditional councils, religious bodies, and professional associations have all queued up to felicitate with the monarch. Many have pointed out that his new status as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria will equip him with additional tools to advance justice, equity, and good governance in his domain. Issues of land disputes, chieftaincy matters, and community rights—common challenges in traditional settings—will now benefit from the Ovie’s formal legal training, potentially reducing prolonged litigation and fostering faster, fairer resolutions.
Beyond the legal realm, HRM Egbo’s journey carries profound socio-cultural significance. In an era where some traditional institutions grapple with relevance among educated youth, the Emede monarch has demonstrated that royalty and intellectual pursuit are not mutually exclusive. His story challenges stereotypes and reaffirms that traditional leadership can evolve without losing its essence.
As the November 25 ceremony approaches, preparations are in top gear. Delegations from Emede and neighbouring kingdoms are finalising travel arrangements to Abuja, determined to witness their king take the solemn oath and don the wig and gown. Special church services, cultural displays, and thanksgiving events have been scheduled both in the kingdom and in the nation’s capital to mark what many now call “a coronation of knowledge.”
In the words of a palace chief who spoke on condition of anonymity, “Our Ovie has shown that a king can wear many crowns—spiritual, traditional, and now legal. He has not abandoned any of his callings; he has simply expanded his capacity to serve.”
Indeed, when HRM Johnson Egbo, Ewhiri II, rises to be called to the Bar, he will not only be adding “Barrister” to his already illustrious titles; he will be etching his name deeper into the annals of history as a monarch who refused to let the throne limit his horizon. For the people of Emede Kingdom, for Delta State, and for Nigeria at large, this is more than an academic achievement—it is a powerful reminder that faith, resilience, and an unquenchable desire for growth can move mountains, even when one already sits on a royal stool.
