The Iwelomen family of Ivue – Uromi in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State has announced the death of their matriarch, Princess Rita Asetu Iwelomen (nee Ebhabha) who slept in the Lord in the early hours of Wednesday, 12 November at her Ivue – Uromi residence.
In a statement from the family and signed by the eldest son, Peter Odia Iwelomen and made available to newsmen, states that Mama Rita Asetu Iwelomen until her death was a devout Christian of the Catholic faith and a respected member of the Edion Council of Ivue – Uromi.
“On behalf of the Iwelomen Family, I wish to announce with gratitude to God the passing of our beloved mother, Princess Rita Asetu Iwelomen, nee Ebhabha, which occurred this morning, 12th November 2025. She was a devoted Christian, a loving mother, and a pillar of strength to our family and community. Mama lived a fulfilled and impactful life, and we thank God for the gift of her 94 beautiful years on earth. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Further details regarding the burial arrangements will be communicated in due course.
“Having lived a long and fruitful life, we kindly accept both congratulatory and condolence messages at this time. Thank you all for your unwavering love and support.”
According to the statement, Princess Rita Iwelomen on her conversion to the Catholic faith commenced vigorous and rigorous evangelisation, converting people to Christianity via the Catholic faith, starting from her close neighbours, and other members of the community in the realisation that charity begins at home. She acknowledges her evangelisation efforts as her major life achievement.
Princess Rita Iwelomen who until her death was a female member of the Ivue – Uromi Council of Elders, a position she attained by virtual of the virtuous and exemplary life she lived, was a scion of the Uromi Royal family from the Ebhabha dynasty.
Being the last of ten siblings in the Ebhabha dynasty, Mama Asetu Iwelomen’s demise signals the end of a generation of the Uromi Royal family that were birthed in the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century.
She is survived eight children, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, amongst who are Mrs. Esther Obosioria Omofoma, a business woman who deals in fabrics and textile materials; Peter Odianosen Iwelomen, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Welo International Company Ltd and publisher of Esan Magazine and the Correspondent newspapers, Mrs. Philo Otiemonria Ebare, a trader; Julian Areghan (deceased) a retired Naval Officer; Mr. Augustine Iwelomen, a Europe based corporate executive; Chief Godwin Iwelomen, a Canada based business mogul with interest in civil engineering construction, hospitality and tourism, and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Gedcom Constitution Company Ltd; Mrs. Benedicta Hope-Iferi, a United Kingdom based Clinical and Counselling Psychologist, and Edwin Adebayo Iwelomen, a Europe based international business mogul with interests in industrial machineries, import, export, hospitality and tourism.
May Mama’s soul rest in peace.