[Ɔkyeame Kwame]

DEFINITIONS OF AN "OBO" AND "OGIE-OBO":

"DOCTOR" AND A "PROFESSOR" IN THE EDO LANGUAGE, NIGERIA
By



ALEX G. IGBINEWEKA
Guosa Language



In the Edo language, "Obo" is known as a "doctor" of the generic classification or usage. Obo-Ebe simply meant: "Doctor in Education".



"Ogie" refers to a higher title for an outstanding person among others. "Ogie-Obo" meant an outstanding personality, title holder or chief/higher person of a generic doctorate specialization. In the "Obo" "Doctoral" echelon a professor is higher hence he/she is accredited with the prefix: "Ogie" meaning an outstanding (higher/chief) Doctor among all other doctors; a PhD holder or a Professor.



However, it is wrong to say: "Ogie-'be" which literally meant: "professor of books or a “big size book". Instead, it is "Ogie-Obo-Ebe", or (ogiobo-ebe) for a Professor (PhD) in Education but not in Engineering or other specialties. On the same ikobo you may say: "Obo-'be" meaning: "Doctor of Education" and not a "surgical/medical doctor" or other professionalism. This does not represent a "Professor" in Education either.



Obo-Ugboloko....an Orthopedics Doctor or Bones Doctor; NOT "OGIE-UGBOLOKO" - meaning "Professor-Bones or a “big bone” in the Edo anatomy. Instead, you can say: Ogie-Obo-Ugboloko or if you like: Ogi’obo Ugboloko (Ogiobo Ugboloko) ....Professor in Orthopedics.



Others are: Obo-Iro...meaning Doctor of Philosophy, native/western diviner and oracle specialist.



Ogie-Obo-Iro, Ogio’obo Iro, “Ogiobo Iro” ....Professor in Philosophy, High-Chief Priest in deity, divinity, oracle specialist etc