The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chief Nosakhare Isekhure

  • More troubles for suspended Isekhure of Benin

    More troubles for suspended Isekhure of Benin

    The curtains finally fell on the suspended Isekhure of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, as the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II took possession of the shrines (Ukhure) at Chief Nosakhare residence.

     

    Isekhure of Benin is the custodian of the ancestral spirit staff of the royal family of Benin.

     

    He is the priest responsible only for Erinmwin-Idu, which is the family household deity of the royal family. 

     

    Our reporter was informed that the Oba, on behalf of the royal family, owns the shrine of the royal ancestry and that the Ukhure (ancestral spirits staff), which symbolises that ancestry, is kept under the care of the Iseukhure.

     

    The land on which the shrines are located also served as the residence of Chief Isekhure.

     

    Families of Chief Isekhure were thrown into confusion as top palace Chiefs led by Chief Eduwu Ekhator, the Obasogie of Benin Kingdom accompanied by a combined team of policemen stormed the residence along Sakponba road in Benin City.

     

    Chief Isekhure came out of his residence after about two hours but refused them access to the shrines.

     

    He was quoted to have queried the Chiefs on why they stormed his residence with policemen in a traditional matter.

     

    After an argument, Chief Isekhure went back into his residence and locked himself in.

     

    A statue of Chief Isekhure holding the Ukhure in front of his residence was pulled down. All the beautification including bronze artworks were destroyed.

     

    His children and relations were seen cursing and lamenting the action being carried out.

     

    They said a bulldozer should been used to pull down the entire building since the services of Chief Isekhure were no longer needed.

     

    Journalists were barred from taking photographs of the incident which attracted a large crowd while Isekhure was still inside the building as at press time.

     

    One of the Palace Chiefs who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Oba owns the place and only want to take possession of his property.

     

    He said there were reports of plans by Chief Isekhure to tamper with the shrines which prompted the Oba to take what he termed necessary steps.

     

    According to him, “For now he (Chief Isekhure) is completely ostracised. What you can see is part of the process of ostracising him. The real powerhouse, items that belong to the Oba, is here. Information reaching us is some of those things were being tampered with.

     

    “The Oba is the owner of that place. He magnanimously put him there‎ to take custody of the place. He is like the sceptre bearer of the Oba. He (Oba) has asked us to secure the artefacts and possibly make the area formidable so that it cannot be broken.

     

    “The Oba has already asked him to take possession of the extension he (Isekhurhe) built in there. But the original foundation of the palace guild should remain where it is; it is a monumental structure and we have to fortify‎ it because of what it contains.

     

    “I think processes required had been concluded. Nobody ever raises arm against the Oba, even when he (Isekhurhe) was going out of his own way and raising and instrument pursuing some of the chiefs‎.

     

    “He has locked the door saying we cannot go in. But we will get in there in a minute. That is the Oba’s property.”

  • Oba’s coronation: Suspended Isekhure denies allegation

    Oba’s coronation: Suspended Isekhure denies allegation

    Suspended Isekhure of Benin, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, has denied allegations levelled against him by the Benin Traditional Council that he boasted that the Enwinekhua (funeral rites of Oba Erediauwa) and subsequent coronation of Oba Ewuare II could not hold without him.

    Chief Nosakhare was last week suspended from performing the duties of the Isekhure title for alleged desecration.

    The duties of the Isekhure were reversed to be performed by Chief Ihama, head of the Ihogbe Palace Society.

    Chief Nosakhare has also given 14 days to the BTC to prove that he used his residence to review cases already decided by the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

    He stated that he would have performed his expected roles during the Emwinekhua and subsequent coronation if her were invited to play the role expected of him.

    He spoke through the Ihogbe N’ Ore family in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Osagbakhoe Ogbemudia.

    In the statement, the Ihama N’ Ore family said they would allow Chief Isekhure take appropriate legal action to redeem his image at the expiration of the 14 days ultimatum.

    “Chief Isekhure is a lover of Benin tradition and custom. How on earth will somebody after getting judgement in the Palace where such a person did not pay a dime would turn to Chief Isekhure for another round of justices where such a person would be forced to pay gratification?

    “This is a case of giving a bad name to a dog so that one can have reason to hang such dog. To this end, we demand to see and verify the people that Chief Isekhure demanded money from so that members of the public will be convinced”.

    Reacting to the allegation that Chief Isekhure allegedly used his position to collect the kolanuts, monies and drinks to new Chiefs celebrating their investitures, the statement explained that new chiefs are expected to perform some rites as part of their investitures at some designated houses and shrines.

    The statement said the rites started as far back as 1255AD during the reign of Oba Ewedo and such visits were accompanied with eight kolanuts, a bottle of hot drink and 13 Shillings and 6 pence now about N2,000.

    Other shrine/places visited by new Chiefs according to the statement are Ogbelaka shrine, Ekpenede 1 & 11, Uhuoba shrine, Iyase N’Ohenmwen shrine amongst others.

  • Benin traditional council suspends Chief Isekhure

    The Benin Traditional Council has suspended Chief Nosakhare Isekhure from performing the duties of the Isekhure title.

    Isekhure of Benin is a member of the Ihogbe Palace Society under the leadership of Ihama of Benin Kingdom.

    The present responsibilities of the Isekhure were part of the traditional duties of the Ihama.

    Announcing the suspension of Chief Nosakhare, Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin, said the title of Isekhure has been desecrated.

    Chief Igbe said Chief Nosakhare pronounced himself Head of the Royal Family and designated his residence as a palace where cases already dealt with in the Oba’s Palace are reviewed.

    He stated that Chief Nosakhare also boasted that neither the Emwinekhua (funeral rites of Oba Erediuawa) and consequent coronation would not hold without him.

    According to him, “During Emwinekhua, he neglected and deliberately refused to perform his traditional duties before, during and after the event. He has since remain unrepentant.”

    “We cannot believe that anyone, any Benin individual who knows what the motivating Benin cultures and tradition are and have worn the toga of a Benin Chief could do what Isekhure did in these past two years.

    “The disconnect has become actual and natural. Those duties of Isekhure will now be reverted to the Ihama N’ Ihogbe.”

  • Benin monarch didn’t endorse Jonathan, says family

    The Benin Royal family yesterday dismissed comments by the Chief Priest of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, that the Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan.

    It also described as condemnable, the presence of Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation at the Holy Aruosa Cathedral, the church where the Benin monarch worships as the general overseer.

    Edo State Coordinator of President Jonathan Campaign, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, had campaigned the Holy Arousa, where he urged some palace Chiefs to vote for Jonathan.

    The royal family noted that the PDP campaign team could have sought the blessings and prayers of the church ‘Ohensa’ rather that desecrating the place where the oba worshipped.

    According to the family, “It is even more so when the leader or the coordinator is a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church. I wonder if he will do that in his church.

    “We will not allow the Holy Arousa to be desecrated. Invading the Holy Arousa Cathedral, as Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s team did shows how desperate they are to capture the royal institution.”

    Speaking through the Enogie and younger brother of Oba Erediauwa, Prince Edun Akenzua, the royal family said the Isekhure was not the spokesman of the Benin Monarch.

    Prince Akenzua stated that the monarch does not endorse any politician, but mandates the most senior chief at court, during a politician’s visit to say the prayer.

    The prayer, according to him, was stereotype: ‘that God may give to Benin and to Nigeria the person who will develop the land and make it possible for citizens to put meals on their tables’.

    Akenzua said the cold war among royal chiefs over comments by the Esogban of Benin Kingdom and chairman of the Benin Forum, Chief David Edebiri, that the Binis’ would not vote for President Goodluck Jonathan was an abomination.

    He noted that it was against the rules of the palace for Chief Amos Osunbor, the Eson of Benin Kingdom, to openly castigate the Esogban since the Eson was lower in rank to the Esogban in the hierarchy of the palace chiefs.

    Hinting that Chief Osunbor might be court marshalled according to palace rules over his comments, Akenzua explained that “the disturbing aspect of the whole episode is the indiscipline and disloyalty to the Benin cause, and our revered institution. In order to comprehend the gravity and implication of Eson’s act, it is important to explain briefly the organogram of Benin chieftaincy.