Born in 1899 in Benin City, as crowned Prince Godfrry Edokparhogbuyunmwun basimi, ascended the Benin throne on April 5th, 1933 with the title Oba Akenzua II.
Before his ascension to the throne, he attended King’s College Lagos.
Oba Akenzua struck a balance of stability and progress tradition and modernity. He was a father-figure to all. For his dimensional contributions to the development of his people and Nigeria, Oba Akenzua II received such honors as Justice of Peace, Knight of the Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a honorary doctorate degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He was equally a notable royal monarch of Benin kingdom. He initiated the campaign for the creation of Mid-West Region which materialized in 1962. in 1947, he opened the Benin Divisional council Museum seen as the mustard art seed that later inspired the germination of the giant oak tree that is now the National Museums and Monuments, Benin City. This isn’t all. Because of his vast influence, power, authority and acknowledged traditional mystique, he was allowed to hold the first Obas’ conference in 1941. The establishment of Edo College in 1937 is largely through his hard work. His reign witnessed peace; love and progress in the whole of Edo land not just Benin Kingdom.