Senate President Bukola Saraki has commiserated with the government and people of Edo State over the death of the Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, saying the country had lost a people’s monarch.
In a statement yesterday by his media adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described the late Oba as just, fair-minded, courageous and benevolent who lived his entire life in the service of his people.
He added that the late monarch’s reputation soared at various periods as a prince, a bureaucrat and diplomat.
The Senate President said he received the news of Oba Erediauwa’s transition with great shock.
According to him: ” My grief stricken heart goes out to the immediate family of the Oba, the Benin Traditional Council, the people and Government of Edo State, over the glorious but yet sad exit of the Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa – our highly revered king.
“He was a fearless and pious monarch – attributes that distinguished him among other monarchs in the country.
“As we mourn the departure of our highly revered and benevolent patriarch, I can only enjoin his immediate family and the people of Edo State to take solace in the long, peaceful, enigmatic life of the departed which was full of exemplary service to his subjects and the entire country”, the statement said.
Saraki said the country will surely miss the late monarch because he was an embodiment of peace, culture and tradition of the Benin Kingdom in particular, Edo State and Nigeria in general throughout the time of his reign.