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Tag: Benin

  • Benin chiefs deny endorsing Ize-Iyamu

    Benin chiefs deny endorsing Ize-Iyamu

    BENIN traditional chiefs have denied endorsing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    The chiefs warned those peddling rumours to stop dragging the palace into the murky waters of politics. They said the report on the purported endorsement was laughable.

    Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin Kingdom, who spoke with reporters, said the chiefs that were involved in the endorsement were card-carrying members of the PDP.

    He said the chiefs were speaking for themselves and that their views did not represent the views of the Benin chiefs.

    Idah said if the palace must speak on any issue, it was either done through the Iyase or the Esogban, who is the head of the Benin Forum.

    He said the so-called palace adoption was a fraud.

    Idah also disclosed that the palace has discredited one Arase, who went to some villages to tell them that the palace requested its subjects to vote for the PDP.

    He said the impostor has been excommunicated from the palace as a palace attendant.

    “Arase has since been suspended from participating in palace activities. He wore palace dress and put on some beads to be seen as a chief. He started going from village to village to meet the elders to vote for the PDP.

    “We have been looking for him to face the full wrath of the law because he is not a chief. I am the Obazelu of Benin Kingdom. I am qualified to know who is the Igiehon of Benin. I deal more with Igiehons and others.

    “Once they are caught, the palace will mete out necessary sanctions. They are not chiefs. They have been hiding since we heard about their activities. Once we catch them, we will hand them over to the police.

    “The palace will never call for support for any candidate. We always pray for the best to emerge. We are going to report to appropriate sections of the Palace to look into such defaults.”

     

  • BENIN CITY IS LIKE NEW HOLLYWOOD–NOLLYWOOD ACTOR EUGENE OBADAN

    From a young age, Eugene Obadan wanted to be in the movies. And now, with the release of Pandora, a movie of political intrigues, Obadan, a graduate of Business Administration from the Lead City University, Ibadan is living his dreams. In this interview with JOE AGBRO JR., the Edo State based actor, scriptwriter and movie producer talks about his ambition and other issues

    YOU studied Business Administration. How did you get into producing movies?

    Well, the first thing is, movies to me is a talent. I wrote the script, Pandora. The idea of Pandora came to me as a result of the current political and economic situation in the country, especially in terms of security. Movie is natural to me. I can sit down and create stories from my mind. I create different kinds of stories and I write them easily. All I need is an editor, that’s all. If I decide to imagine a story, give me five days, I would come up with a story. So, movies to me, is like a talent. I cannot just side-line it.

    When did you know that you had this talent?

    Well, it was when I was I think, 14 or thereabouts. I actually told my parents I wanted to be an actor but of course, you know the Nigerian factor. My mother wanted me to be a medical doctor, my father said I would be good in business. Actually, my father said I was better in business, so I studied business administration. But movies, acting and scriptwriting has always been a part of me.

    Is Pandora your first work?

    Yes, Pandora is my first major work. But actually, I have written other scripts which are still in the pipeline. But I decided to do Pandora because of the love for the story and the present situation in the country. Pandora is about emotional blackmail. It’s a presidential movie in the sense that we have a president who actually wanted to do good for his people. He wanted to be a good president but forces around him which he never knew like the vice-president in the movie, was his best friend but the vice-president wanted that seat and never liked his policies.

    The vice-president wanted the old factor that caused deprivation, poverty, and depression amongst the people. So, the movie tells us of how the vice president was able to use emotional blackmail, that is, like kidnapping the president’s daughter and destabilising the presidency in other to obtain power. So, it tells us another side of politics which people don’t really see. How politicians can actually use emotional blackmail, assassination and even all sorts of means to get power aside the normal elections. So Pandora shows us these intrigues and also the quest for power and what it leads to – embezzlement, greed and so on and so forth. (It is about) how people in government can actually manipulate the affairs of state for their interests in order to topple government.

    When you talk about mixing emotional blackmail with politics, that is like the power play that goes on in politics all over the world. When you were writing the movie, did you have any country in mind?

    Now, you’re asking me a very technical question. Well, definitely Nigeria has always been a case study for many things. So, if we’re talking about a country, I didn’t need to look too far for my research. You can see it all around.

    For someone doing this for the first time, how did it all go?

    Well, the whole thing taught me a big lesson. Number one, to respect Nigerian movie producers more because it’s not easy. Especially the ones that are really involved in the production. I’m not talking of the ones that pay the money and say, ‘Oya, go and do what you like.’ I’m talking of the one that follows the sequence. It is a very Herculean task. You cannot override the fact that you will meet a lot of people. First of all, my first challenge was, in Benin City, I gathered a group of people for props.

    Now, this same group, because I did not get a particular lens for the camera. We used a Black Magic camera. It’s a cinematography camera. It’s one of the best in the industry. But because I was still coming in the business, I did not get the batteries on time, so in the quest of looking for them, I missed a day. And these people connived and said they were no longer going to be a part of the production. I had paid them. They took my money and they said they were not going to be involved. In my frustration, I called a lot of people to prevail on them.

    Even the Nigerian Police prevailed on them, to please, ‘they should work with me.’ They refused, thinking that the project was going to be frustrated without their involvement. The shocking part was that I was even willing to sacrifice more into their funds and they refused. So, in that frustration and in that sort of pain, I had to speak with my director who now got in touch with some of his other colleagues from different parts – Port Harcourt, Lagos and environs, to come and help out. That means, making me pay extra. What I have paid before, I didn’t get it because I couldn’t be fighting those people while I had a project that needs to be done.

    I had to pay external people again before we now started the project. And to God be the glory, we started and we finished. And today, I’m  glad because many people told me, especially those people, they told me it would not work. But I’m glad that the picture was successful. We had stars like Alex Osifo, Segun Arinze – they did a perfect job. They were with me all through the time. Even Alex Osifo helped by involving one or two people – the political clout – to assist us in terms of getting a vehicle and all that. At the end of the day, it was a success. Since it was my company, Eugene Entertainment Network, funding it alone, it was very Herculean.

    You funding this project, how much did it cost you?

    It’s a lot of money my brother. We thank God. Before I did the project, I’ve been involved in other things. I’m also into real estate. There was no help from anywhere, I’ll be frank with you. The only help I got was thanks to one of my neighbour in the house. Instead of an hotel, we used my neighbour’s house because he just moved. We used his house as a place for the actors and actresses and set people for all of them to lodge. So, that helped in a long way. The airport in Benin assisted us, even though we paid, the assistance was more than the money. Thanks to UBTH Golf Course where we also used the Golf Club without collecting a dime.

    Nollywood is very competitive. How do you feel about putting your movie there?

    Well, I had this dream of being an actor, I had the dream of doing movies. And thank God it’s coming to pass. And I believe since I did not compete with anybody to do this movie, it was my own thing. So, I believe if your product is good, people would buy. I had a story and I believe it’s a beautiful story. To the memory of my father, he was the first person. He’s late now – Augustus Obadan. He was the one who actually encouraged me. He was the first person who edited this script. And he has always told me to go for it. Before he died, he asked several times when I was going to do it. Unfortunately, he’s not here. I know, his spirit being with us, it’s going to sail forth.

    You’re based in Benin. How would you describe the movie industry in Benin?

    Good enough, I once worked in Kada Plaza where we have the biggest cinema in Benin. When I was there, what I saw was what even encouraged me the more because there is this new culture on Sunday that everybody in Benin would love to go to the cinema with their family to go and watch a movie.

    And you can ask from Desmond Elliot, Lancelot Imasuen, Benin has become the new haven for movies. I don’t know whether it was my movie that sparked that up. I don’t know whether it was there before me. but what I witnessed during my production was like about four movie companies were actually doing movies in Benin, which I know was not happening before. I want to believe it was part of my bringing in Segun Arinze and Alex Osifo to Benin that has cranked up this new awareness to Benin City.

    I know Iyore was shot in Benin and movies like Invasion was shot in Benin. So, Benin is now like the new Hollywood in Nigeria. But in terms of distribution and sales, you cannot rule out the giant, which is Lagos. That’s why I’m in Lagos and I’ve been speaking with FilmOne Distribution. I hope they read this paper so that they would work with me to ensure that this film is properly distributed in the cinemas. Because, like I said, we used Black Magic and Black Magic is a cinematographic camera that they use to do cinema movies.

    Did you also act in the movie?

    Yes, I did. I played the role of Nicholas. Nicholas was the one who rescued the president’s daughter. He’s a character that would put everybody in suspense because first of all, you’ll want to know, where did this guy come from? He was part of the Black Disciple Organisation that kidnapped the president’s daughter and as a member, he understood them.

    How long did it take to produce the movie?

    Right now, it’s still under editing. I’d scripted this movie about three years ago. First of all, I had to get all the equipment, the camera, lights and everything because I discovered through my director that there is no way we can pay every day for these things if we have to do it well, because it would cause almost the same thing purchasing them. So, we had to take our time to buy some of the best equipment.

    So you actually bought those equipment?

    Yes, I have them. And I’m putting them up for rent. I’ll still be using them. Definitely, this is not going to be my only movie. My prayer is for sponsors, good Nigerians, and those who are giving loans and grants, to look into our case and into my movie.

    What is the next thing for you now?

    I have a lot in stock and I’m writing more. But first of all, we must see the success of this one. I must be properly encouraged and properly motivated to bring out more stories.

  • River Niger drying up, warns Federal Govt

    The Federal Government has raised the alarm that the River Niger is drying up.

     

    To save the river from the fate that befell Lake Chad, the Federal Government along with countries bordering the River Niger has approved the environmental audit of the river.

     

    Addressing journalists at the end of the 6th Annual Meeting of African Organization do Supreme Audit Institutions Working Group on Environmental Audit (AFROSAI WGEA) in Abuja on Tuesday on the development, the Acting Auditor of the Federation (AuGF) Mrs Florence Anyanwu confirmed that that River Niger was drying up.

     

    She noted that countries bordering the river have approved the environmental audit of the river and that commencement of the audit of one of the longest rivers in Africa will begin at the end of the meeting in Abuja.

     

    According to Anyanwu, “talks are ongoing on the cooperative environmental audit project on River Niger by Niger Basin Authority consisting of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’ Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.”

     

    She lamented that the drying up of the River Niger posed social, environmental and economic treat to the communities bordering the river.

     

    When completed, the environmental audit of River Niger will afford the governments the information they need to save the river from further deterioration as well as ensure its continued benefit to bordering communities.

     

    With regards to Lake Chad that has significantly lost a large portion of it body of water, the chair of the AFROSAI WGEA, Mrs Mbah Acha Rose Fomundam said the environmental audit report of the Lake Chad has been sent to the governments of the four countries surrounding the lake to come up with laws to save the river from total evaporation.

     

    Lake Chad is a shallow lake that ordinarily should be fed with constant rain but environmental challenges have seen the lake suffer from sustained drop in the volume of rain fall feeding the lake and a growing population that depends on the lake for water, fishing and agriculture.

     

    Fomundam noted that “despite the signing of multilateral agreements on the environment and established institutions, current scientific studies reveal that many of the planet’s ecosystems have rapidly deteriorated over the last 20 years.”

     

    She added that “citizens have increasingly expected that organizations that hurt the environment be held accountable for their actions, with many citizens feeling that government declarations concerning the environment and sustainable development should be subject to independent audits to assess the extent to which they are implemented.”

     

    In her address the minister of environment Mrs Amina Mohammed said “environmental auditing is an essential component of sustainable environmental management as it provides the mechanism for allowing government to know what has gone wrong over time and highlights the need for urgent policy action.”

     

    She added that “our environment is our sustenance and unless we care for our environment, our lives will be at risk. Unless we have a clear knowledge of what is happening to our environment, we may not be able to make appropriate policies for sustainable environmental management

     

  • Edo polls: ‘Why election cannot hold on September 28’

    Edo polls: ‘Why election cannot hold on September 28’

    The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has said he would petition the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on why the governorship election fixed for September 28 must be postponed again.

    It said the governorship polls must be organized to accommodate candidates in the 2016 November/December West African Senior School Certificate Examinations in the state.

    Governorship candidate of APGA, Mr. Osaro Onaiwu, said the September 28 date was not feasible because some students were expected to write Physics practical, Food Nutrition 1 and 2 papers and two other papers on that day.

    Onaiwu noted that the clash of dates would disenfranchise the students and also prevent them from voting for his party.

    He said that there “nothing wrong” in shifting the election further to October 1.

    The former Director General of the Governors Forum‎ said the earlier postponed election was necessary in order to secure the future of the youth and promote education.

    Onaiwu said: “On Wednesday 28, there is Physics. After the holidays, I think I am going to do a letter to WAEC and INEC, alerting them that (September) 28 is not convenient. We must accommodate those people writing exams.

    “They should take it (exam) to October 1. There is nothing wrong if we do the election on Independence Day, as long as we must have a governor that would be sworn in on November 12.”

  • FGGC Benin alumni to build toilets, baths

    The ’96 Set of the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC) Benin City is set to construct a block of eight toilets and open-space bathroom to commemorate 20 years of graduating from the school.

    Two representatives of the set, Mrs Omoefe Siapkere and Ms Kofoworola Belo-Osagie, visited the school last Monday with a team of engineers from Mc Laurel Engineering Services, and Mr Abayomi Adeyeri, Member, Board of Trustees, Dr Florence Bola Ala Foundation.

    They were received by the Principal, Mrs Patience Erhahon, who took them on tour of some of the facilities of the 43-year-old college.

    She informed the old girls of plans by the Federal Government to do a major rehabilitation of facilities in the school, advising them to meet other needs like completing an abandoned hostel, rehabilitating the JSS3 block, or constructing more toilets and bathrooms to ease the pressure on existing ones.

    The representatives of the set decided to build toilets and bathrooms because of the initial plans of the set to upgrade toilets in the hostels.

    The ladies chose to start with Moremi House (formerly called Annex House) because it is the closest to the academic area as a reward to members of the house for keeping it neat.

    Mrs Siakpere said the motive behind the project, which would cost N5,850,000, was to give back to the institution that contributed to moulding the old girls to be successful.

    “We are doing the project basically to give back to our alma mater.  We spent our formative years here and the school contributed to our success in life,” she said.

    Mr Adeyeri, who joined the tour on the invitation of Mrs Saikpere, said the foundation would support the old girls in implementing the project because it is in line with its vision.

    “The project is a laudable one and it is an initiative that even other sets should emulate as much as possible.  From our end at the Florence Bola Ala Foundation, we are particular about helping educational institutions because Dr Florence Bola Ala (in whose memory the foundation was set up) was a professor in early child education and she funded and assisted many people to access education.  We will part of the initiative in our little to support Mrs Saipkere, with whom we have a work relationship,” said Adeyeri, who is also the Chief Marketing Officer for Flobal Trust, the firm that runs the foundation.

    Mr Lawrence Egere, the Team leader for Mc Laurel Engineering Services, said the project, which would included eight toilets, open space bathroom that can accommodate over 20 girls at once, water facilities, and an external area with six taps, could be completed in 25 days once funds is made available.

    He said the firm has taken into consideration the category of users and would use durable materials to ensure the facility lasts.

    “We are constructing eight toilets and eight bathrooms.  The interior will have tile finishing with shower and bath facilities.  We have considered durability and will not use materials that will need to be repaired tomorrow.  For water, we are looking at providing two tanks; and we have in mind to install six taps outside.  For the building, we will do PVC filling, which is in line with modern trend; while we will use long span aluminium sheets for the roof,” he said.

    The Principal was glad that the project coming as she prepares to bow out of service this month.  She called on another set to take up the rehabilitation of the JSS3 block.

    She also said the school had thrived under her watch, noting that the school recorded the best performance in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) among the 104 unity schools in the three years she was in the saddle.

    “I am glad this is being taken care of as I leave.  For three and a half years that I have been here, we have been coming first among all the unity schools.  My teachers are hard working; the vice principals are hardworking and the students themselves are willing to learn,” she said.

    The Grassroots Support Network Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, is also supporting the old girls to implement the project.

  • Edo: INEC must not allow inconclusive election-LP

    Edo: INEC must not allow inconclusive election-LP

    The Labour Party in Edo State has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to work hard to not to allow inconclusive election in the September 10, governorship elections.

    It said INEC under Professor Mahmood Yakubu has set a bad example to emulate in various inconclusive elections in Bayelsa, Rivers and Kogi States.

    A press statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Uroupa Samson, said the warning was because of alleged plans by some political science to compromise the electoral process.

    The statement reads in parts, “This note of warning become so imperative owing to information at our disposals, that some desperate political actors have perfected plans to work through the INEC and security agents to compromise the process and when there is a resistance to the evil plot, it will now be declared inconclusive.

    “INEC should not give room for any form of rigging, both sensitive and none sensitive material and personnel should be dispatched to appropriate locations without delay for any reason including the remotest part where the exercise is to take place.

    “As a party whose ideology is hinged on social democratic values, justice and fairness, we are ready to play by the rules of the game and accept whatever is the outcome provided the process is adjudged free fair and credible of international best practices. But if otherwise, we will challenge it”.

  • NCP candidate protests at debate

    Candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the Edo State governorship election, Pastor Peters Omoragbon, on Sunday night protested alleged partiality of the organizers of a debate for political parties’ candidates in the state.

    The debate tagged the ‘Mandate’ was shunned by eight candidates including Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressive Congress.

    Pastor Omoragbon who was among 12 candidates that participated in the debate expressed his disappointment during the debate after the time keeper cut him off.

    He said he regretted inability to articulate his party’s programmes and manifestos because of time.

    His words: “I want to express my disappointment at this event. The timing given to other candidates is different from what is allowed us now. I cannot be used as a photo shop.”

    Another protest erupted when party logos were to be placed on the podium after four candidates stepped down without their party logos pasted on the podium.

    The candidates said it was unfair for the organizers to allow them speak without their party logos but to paste such on the podium at a time candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, United Progressive Party, KOWA party and Social Democratic Party.

    Candidate of the UPP, Adviser Shedrack Nowamagbe said he would recover stolen funds from past administrations in the state to ensure stable electricity and adequate security.

    Adviser Nowamagbe who was briefed in his comments urged all candidates to be prepared to swear before the Oba’s shrine if the people were to take them seriously.

    KOWA’s party candidate, Mr. Thompson Osadolor, described himself as a mechanic that want to fix the state.

    He promised to set up a state owned construction firm with a view to carrying out road construction with direct Labour without award such contracts to contractors.

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu said the ruling APC policy has not been friendly to investors as well as not giving access to credit facilities.

  • NAFDAC seals shops, seize goods worth millions in Edo

    NAFDAC seals shops, seize goods worth millions in Edo

    The National Agency for Food, Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed two shops and seize products worth millions of Naira, for the sale of counterfeited products in Benin City on Wednesday.

    The team of NAFDAC Officers and mobile policemen led by the Head of Taskforce on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Process Foods, Mr. Ejiofor Kingsley stormed the popular Mission road in Oredo Local government of Edo State, to conduct inspection on assorted drinks, with many marketers scrambling to prove authenticity of their products to avoid arrest.

    The team conducted series of test on different wines and other assorted drinks, which eventually led to closure of two shops belonging to one Mrs Oluchi Peters and another unidentified.

    In a chat with journalists Mr Ejiofor said that NAFDAC as a law enforcement agency, owe it to the public to protect and preserve lives, disclosing that the number of fake goods in the market is on the increase.

    According to him “We believe we owe a duty to the nation and the society to save lives. The products we have seized today are all counterfeited products, they are products that people ingest and they kill.

    “We know what is going on in the society, the incidence of cancer is increasing and there is need for Government to do something about it, that is why we are here and appealing to all consumers to check products properly especially assorted drinks before purchasing them”.

    He also revealed that some dealers now mix chemicals and other substances to produce wines, noting that the agency is not out to destroy businesses of individuals, but to maintain sanity and evict fake products from the society.

    “We have instances where people mix all sought of concussion and even uses “formalin” chemical that is use in embalming corpses in these drinks, I mean we are talking about lives here, no amount of money is worth people’s life.

    He further said that the agency will commence investigation on the seized products before fate of the suspects will be disclosed, but however urged dealers in food, drinks, cosmetics, detergent and chemicals to register their products with the agency in order to ease detection of unwholesome products.

    Ejiofor however enjoined members of the public to support NAFDAC in the fight against counterfeited and fake products from the market, stating that it is a collective responsibility we all must uphold and encourage.

  • Benin Crown Prince begins journey to ancient throne

    Benin Crown Prince begins journey to ancient throne

    Al is set for the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa and Edaiken N’ Uselu to begin the journey from his temporary palace at Uselu in Egor Local Government to Benin City, where he will be crowned the 39th Oba of Benin.

    Three committees have been inaugurated by the Benin Traditional Council to ensure a hitch-free coronation ceremony.

    The Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, at a news briefing, said the committees were inaugurated since the Crown Prince has performed all the required traditional rites including Emwinekhuan (the Royal funeral rites for the late Oba Erediauwa II).

    Chief Igbe named the committees to include Coronation Planning Committee which has Prof. Gregory Akenzua as chairman, Finance Committee with Dr. Greg. Ero as chairman and Government Committee which has Chief Oseni Elamah, as chairman.

    Roads around the Oba’s palace such as Plymouth road, Ibiwe and adjoining streets are already being reconstructed.

    The Emwinekhuan (funeral rites), which lasted for 15 days, showcased colorful cultural display. It reaffirmed how strong the Binis hold their cultural values and ancient tradition that has been passed from generation to generation for many centuries.

    Palace chiefs displayed how some secrets surrounding funeral rites of an Oba are well guarded.  Everything about the funeral activities had to be done appropriately with correct timing and performed by individuals to whom such functions were assigned.

    It was first time many residents in the state saw the Isiemwenro guilds (the big ants that stings the Oba’s enemies) in full regalia.

    Among the unique feature of the funeral activities was the day residents in the state were ordered not to cook with fire. To some, it was another way of declaring fasting but to others it was a day to eat food prepared the previous day without getting it heated by fire.

    There were also questions about whether the ban on fire was from fire wood, gas or stove, as the order was not specific.

    There was wide compliance with the directives, as bread and snacks sellers made huge sales as many families resorted to eating only bread until 6pm.

    Among the rites performed by the Crown Prince during the Emwinekhuan included the Iviorhue rites representing purity and peace which was performed by Ihogbe Chiefs, headed by Chief Leteman. The Ihogbe head was delegated by the Ihama N’ Ihogbe, the Izakhue and Isoton where the Crown Prince trekked to Benin with 201 Chiefs.

    The performance of Isoton enabled the Edaiken to formally take over the position of his transited father.

    It was gathered that the Edaiken will never step foot on some of the villages and shrines he visited to perform some rites as part of the coronation process once he is crowned as ‘Oba’. Such villages are Ughoton, Ovbiogie among others.

    However, just as all the ancients rites were observed according to dates and numbers in the funeral of Oba Erediauwa, so will it be in the coronation of Prince Erediauwa. Prince Erediauwa will trek through the ancient path his forebears took from Uselu to ascend the throne in Benin, in fulfilment of the Benin’s ‘Odeobawu’, which means’ the path of an Oba never dies’.

    Every Chief knows the role to play but the coronation rites are the functions of seven prominent Chiefs otherwise known as the Usama N’ Ihinron. It was during the reign of Oba Ewuare in the 15th century that granted  the Ihama N’ Igun a special right to carry out a background function at the coronation ceremony.

    The Uzama N’ Ihinron also known as Edion consist of Chiefs Oliha,  Edohen, Ezomo, Ero, Eholo N’ Ire, Oloton and Edaiken.

    Chief Oliha, who pronounces the Edaiken as Oba, is also the Chief Priest of the collective ancestors of the Uzama.

    On a day set by the Crown Prince to leave his palace at Uselu, he would be escorted by chiefs from the Uselu community. Immediately he leaves the Edaiken Palace, the gate is closed and would not be inhabited again until another Edaiken is installed.

    On his way to Benin, the Crown Prince makes a symbolic climbing of a palm tree that has lived over 500 years called ‘Udin amamieson amieuwa (suffer before pleasure). The palm tree was first climbed by Oba Ewuare during his suffering days, when he was hungry, to eat of its nuts. Since then, every Crown Prince had to perform the ceremony of climbing the palm tree.

    From there, the Crown Prince will be escorted to Iya-Akpan, a moat situated long the Benin-Lagos express road, where Chiefs from Oredo will take over and Chiefs from Uselu will return home.

    The Edaiken (Crown Prince) will walk through Iguisi to Eko-Ohae (bachelors’ camp) where he will stay for three days. From there he moves to Uzama, venue of the coronation rites.

    Uzama was where Prince Oromiyan built and lived because of resistance from Ogiamen. It was Oba Ewedo in the 13th century that moved the palace to the present location. While at Uzama, the Edaiken proceeds to Use to choose a title he will be known by as an Oba.

    It is said that before this ceremony, the Edaiken never knows the name he will bear as an Oba. It was at Use that Oba Eweka 1, son of Oronmiyan, first spoke his first words ‘Owomika’ after playing the Akhue (traditional) game.

    After the Use ceremony, the Edaiken returns to Uzama where the coronation rites will be completed and he is pronounced an ‘Oba’. His public appearance as an Oba would be to be presented to his people. But before then, he would have to cross a bridge at Isekhere, where he would  be assisted by Chief Isekhere across the now dried up Omi oteghele River on his way to ascend the throne. The river is no longer there but a symbolic bridge is constructed there and it is over the bridge that the Isekhere helps the Oba to cross over.

    Across the river, the Ogiamien would be waiting for a duel with the new monarch, following which the Ogiamien and his followers would flee. The Oba would then proceed to Urho-Okpota, where he receives Staff of Office from the governor as well as performs some ceremonies before moving into the Palace.

    After seven days, he assembles his ‘army’ for the battle of Ekiokpogha, where he engages the Ogiamen in a mock battle. This battle is a re-enactment of a real battle between Oba Ewedo and Ogiamien.

    Our reporter’s visit to the palace recently  showed that preparations were in top gear for the Crown Prince’s eventual arrival as 39th Oba of Benin Kingdom.  It was observed that the palace is wearing a new look with new buildings being erected, perhaps befitting of modern time.

    Some of the workers said work would soon finish in the new palace. It was gathered that the Crown Prince wielded the big stick by reducing the staff strength.

  • Benin palace chief, others endorse Obaseki

    The Etuedoseghe, a socio-cultural organisation in Edo State, made up of chiefs from the palace of the Oba of Benin, farmers union and professionals led by the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, yesterday endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Godwin Obaseki.

    The group who said they were endorsing him following what they described as the laudable role he played in the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration, urged him to build an international market in Edo South when he is elected governor.

    Esogban, who also is the Odionwere of Benin Kingdom, said: “We are not a partisan body in the sense that we don’t attend meetings of political parties, but we are not oblivious to the good works of some political parties and the bad work of some other political parties. Consequently, we have the right to endorse, particularly if those wanting a particular thing are more than one.

    “So, Etuodeseghe at a meeting held in my house, unanimously voted to support the candidature of Godwin Obaseki of the APC. This is the same place we endorsed Oshiomhole and today we are all proud of him. We believe that Godwin (Obaseki) will work more than the Comrade-Governor.”