the title of Oba for her son Esigie following the death of his father Oba Ozolua. To that end, she raised an army to fight off his brother Arhuaran, who was supposed to be the Oba by right and tradition but who was subsequently defeated in battle. Esigie's mother became the 1st Iyoba of Benin.

Idia first entered the royal household because Ozolua, the Oba from