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Tag: new era

  • Kizz Daniel reclaims right to debut album ‘New Era’, hit singles

    Kizz Daniel reclaims right to debut album ‘New Era’, hit singles

    Afrobeats sensation Daniel Anidugbe, popularly known as Kizz Daniel, has regained ownership of the masters for his 2016 debut album, ‘New Era’, along with his hit singles Yeba and Sofa from his former label, G-Worldwide.

    The singer announced this on X, expressing profound gratitude and describing the achievement as deeply meaningful.

    Kizz Daniel, who released New Era on May 14, 2016, under G-Worldwide, reflected on the journey, noting long studio nights and meditative moments that led to this victory.

    He thanked his fans for their unwavering support, stating the significance of owning his catalog.

    He wrote: “From long nights in the studio to several meditations, finally, I now own every song on the ‘New Era album’ 2016 + Yeba & Sofa (singles).

    Read Also: Kizz Daniel takes break from music to focus on family

    “I got my masters back. This means more than words can explain. Thank you for riding with me. #NewEra #MyCatalog #Grateful.”

    The artist left G-Worldwide in November 2017 to establish his own label, Flyboy I.N.C., a move that sparked a legal dispute with G-Worldwide’s boss, Emperor Geezy and Kizz Daniel was later acquitted of all charges.

    Kizz Daniel appointed Emperor Geezy as CEO of Flyboy I.N.C. in 2023, signaling a reconciliation. 

  • New era for China-Africa cooperation

    Between September 3 – 4, Africa’s leaders and their Chinese counterpart will gather in Chinese capital, Beijing for the third summit of the Forum on China-Africa cooperation, to build on the epochal strides it has achieved, since it held its second historic summit in Johannesburg, South Africa in December, 2015.

    The Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in less than two decades of its founding has unarguably become a top notch international organization with track record of solid results delivery. China-Africa traditional friendship and cooperation have had long trajectories before the founding of FOCAC in 2000 but FOCAC not only re-engineered it in a more result-oriented fashion but created and sustained the mechanism of regular contacts, and consultations with consequence of pragmatic outcomes in the relationships. China’s own exponential burst of growth in the period since the founding of FOCAC and Africa’s break  of the monopoly of Western-centric global exposure, during the same period, provided a sound opportunity on which Africa and China grew their enigmatic cooperation under the framework of the FOCAC mechanism.

    The usual suspicions of ideological infractions and sabotages replete with the cold war periods of international relations was out of the way  at the time of FOCAC founding and it was therefore, saved  of the poisonous weed of ideological contestations that virulently infected many international organizations at the period of the intense cold war.

    While still a work in progress, FOCAC, whose leaders would gather in Beijing next week for the third summit of the head of states and government will offer a milestone in the life of the organization.

    As its pedigree is reassuring to its future prospects, FOCAC has brought unique opportunities to its members. Africa, since the historic second summit of FOCAC in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2015 have made some significant leaps, as the 10 cooperation plans outlined at the summit by President Xi Jinping with a whopping sum of US$60 billion funding support, has substantially  materialized since then.

    The nearly 1000 km first electrified railway in Africa, connecting the emerging regional industrial hub but landlocked Ethiopia to the port of Djibouti has become fully operational, and has cut travel time from some few days to some few hours. With a thaw in relations between former adversaries, Ethiopia and Eritrea, access to the Red Sea through the Assab Port would further fuel industrialization of Ethiopia, with Chinese companies making enormous contributions to the prospects.

    The 400km-plus standard gauge rail line from the Kenya’s port city of Mombasa to its capital Nairobi has been completed and has been put to the use of the Kenyans triggering more economic activities while helping to reduce cost of doing business.

    Meanwhile, the Mombasa Port has been under massive reconstruction and will be a vital artery of the “21st century maritime Silk Road,” the maritime component of the China’s initiated “Belt and Road” framework of inclusive and integrated international cooperation. As China and Africa sit down in Beijing in the 3rd summit of FOCAC to ponder on the roadmap to drive the next phase of China/Africa cooperation, the “Silk Road Economic Belt,” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”, otherwise simply called the “Belt and Road,” a massive framework of overland, maritime and digital connectivity featuring heavy infrastructure constructions across countries and within countries, will considerably weigh in, as a powerful impetus for fresh development strides, already set in motion in Africa by the FOCAC process.

    Africa’s regional power-house and its largest market, Nigeria is already in the cusp of new economic dawn due to China’s fueled massive investment in strategic infrastructure. Since 2016, the nearly 200km standard gauge railway line between the capital city, Abuja and Kaduna is up and running. Last July, the first intra-city railway connecting the city centre of Abuja to the airport, described as the first of its kind in West Africa was launched amidst fanfare by President Muhammadu Buhari. The construction of a major railway to connect the commercial city of Lagos through Ibadan to the northern commercial hub of Kano has been launched. The Lekki Deep Sea Port and Zungeru hydro dam, both remarkable heavy infrastructure projects with definitive game-changing effects on Nigeria’s economic prospects have reached advanced stage of  construction with China’s decisive inputs.

    The country’s economic recovery blueprint, called the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) which promises massive infrastructure constructions as the key to unlock sustainable and inclusive development, look set to leverage China’s concessional funding in the sector. The country’s notorious epileptic power supply would receive massive boost when the China-funded Mambilla Power Station comes onstream.

    After 40 years of flip flop on the power project, the China Exim Bank has recently agreed to 85% of concessional funding of the power project, which when completed, is expected to save about 40% of capital, which businesses are estimated to invest to generate their own power, which presently, makes Nigeria one of the costliest place to do business in Africa.

    Nigeria’s industrial landscape is fast revitalizing as Chinese enterprises boost domestic capacity and considerably give substance to the concept of “Made in Nigeria with China.”

    The Forum on China-Africa cooperation, (FOCAC) has accorded Africa, a practical and functional international partnership with an uncommon focus to the existential challenge of the core material needs that would put the region, not only on the path of economic recovery but on a steady and inclusive development trajectory. China’s belief that Africa’s security challenge and peace prospect can be overcome and secured through sustainable and inclusive development has significantly changed and shifted international perspective, which previously viewed Africa as a place for high security risk for investment and business.

    Where Africa’s former colonial masters and their partners in the West view Africa’s security challenge as obstacle to development, China through the mechanism of FOCAC see economic development in Africa as the practical way to overcome the security challenge and secure peace, stability and prosperity in Africa. The several strategic strides already accomplished in Africa through the cooperation framework of the FOCAC process, attests without doubt to the pragmatic orientation of contemporary China-Africa relations.

    With China’s massive growth of her national aggregates, increased strategic role in global governance and overall transition to a new era, Africa cooperation with China through the framework of FOCAC will see significant upgrade. The Beijing Summit, highly anticipated to build on the enormous progress secured at previous forums, is expected to radically raise the profile of the FOCAC mechanism, especially when infused with the vigour of the Belt and Road mechanism, whose several institutional compliments such as Silk Road fund, Asia Infrastructure and investment Bank, (AIIB) and others are already in full throttle.

     

    • Onunaiju, is director Centre for China Studies, (CCS) Abuja.

     

  • Don of a new era

    Don of a new era

    The crowd, as some have said, seemed to call back the tumult of 1968. Then the young across the United States as well as in France bubbled to the streets in uproar against the system. Saturday’s march did not show that much rage, but the discontent was different.

    While the 1960’s was against a system, Saturday’s targeted one man: Donald J Trump. The toupee President, who fought in a presidential campaign as though he didn’t. He allowed his foes to take him for granted, and they did.

    He bullied to cow his opponents while he wowed his crowd. When he sullied them, his opponents growled in complaints, while he roared in the polls. They all thought he would pull out or lose out, but his opponents were squished. In the fallout, they fell. He preened to see them bleed. One after the other, they licked their wounds.

    It was like a movie, and last week, on Friday January 20, Trump stepped on the stage and became the president of the United States. His opponent, the staid, maligned Hillary sat as spectator beside her husband Bill. She was quieted and avoided a squint because of censorious media cameras.

    But the Saturday after, we saw a surge of discontent. City after big city, in the United States and around the world, crowds were unbound. I wondered where were they when we needed them? The guy did not show himself a good guy. He said he did not like people who did not sound like him, who did not colour like him, who did not dress like him, who did not worship like him. Although on the worship theme, he did not worship anyone but Donald J. Trump and the money that Donald J. Trump made.

    He fed off his crowds and they all loved walls, curses, bigotry. Yet we all looked and thought that somehow, the world was too good to embrace such demagogues. The United States constitution, so superb in its revolutionary impulses for the common good, would checkmate the rise of such a character.

    Indeed, the constitution fell first and the people afterwards when Trump won. The idea of the electoral college was to stifle people like him. Rather he rolled the document in his palms and his vulgar psalms made more sense to the people than its homilies.

    The founding fathers like George Washington, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, etc. may turn in their grave. They never had checks against the rise of a Trump. That is why they did not want democracy, they wanted a republic. Democracy is about the rabble. A republic is about institutions. The founding fathers saw the past democracies, especially Greece, and they saw how it threw up tyrants. They might have recalled a phony like Pisistratus who draped himself in fake blood and lied to the Greek commoner that he was hostage of the elite, and the people backed him until he became tyrant over all. They also read Shakespeare, especially Coriolanus, and how a patriot is misunderstood and the people line behind their tyrants.

    So, the United States leaders suspected the popular vote and wanted institutions to mortgage the mob. But as we saw last November, the elite collapsed under the weight of an angry underclass of white men and women who thought it was better to support their own than to own their history of tolerance. It was the rise of the raw blood. They chose race over embrace.They conflated diatribe with tribe.

    He has now promised to build a wall. But his whole promise was a big wall. A wall between America and China, a wall between rich and poor, a wall between decency and barbarism, a wall between free trade and fair trade. He has pitched himself on the wrong side of every divide.

    Yet, if you listened to some of his rhetoric, many who are tribal bigots here at home would have lined up behind him if they were white. The southern Kaduna crisis is evidence that we are no moral superior. But the difference is that America has always claimed to be the city on the hill, the exceptional beacon of goodwill and integrity, the defender of the better angels of our soul.

    Trump is saying, the world has taken that for granted and it is time to hit the other cheek. He says he is going to be friends with Putin. But Putin wants to be the initiator and controller of that dynamics. He quickly despatched Aleppo and staged a conference and invited the U.S. Well, Trump is not sending any envoy there.

    He will find out in time that the man who hacked the computers to tilt the polls in his favour wants to be congratulated and deferred to. Putin has no intention to befriend a Trump. A megalomaniac with an adolescent sense of his own power cannot operate equally with another adolescent with equal hubris. The stage is set for a world confrontation. Many just don’t know it yet. Before that, Russia will be forced to let the world and Trump know that it played a role in his victory, and also may blackmail him with video. That will determine whether Trump remains as president or will be impeached.

    Such a possible turn of events may be the blood slander that Trump needs to turn on Putin with the potential of a nuclear war. We hope and pray it does not get to that.

    On China, we witnessed at Davos how Chinese leader Xi Jinping became a cheer leader of free trade as a counter-dynamic against Trump’s hectoring rhetoric that he wanted to confront China. The truth, though, is that Trump is right. China is speaking about free trade when it thinks it is working for it. Trump wants to renegotiate, and that calls for both powers who need each other to handle this matter.

    The Chinese are now more self-reliant because domestic consumption has risen, and their nationals are gradually doing away with their dependency on American products. But that is because they have stolen American brands and domesticated them. They have their own I-phone, Google, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

    But does Trump have the right temperament to turn negotiation into advantage or war? Just as the issues of the South China sea is a conduit of confrontation.

    But more importantly though, we want to know if Trump will not destroy the world economy by insisting on protectionism when America needs its products to do well around the world. It could implode America’s economy with inflation.

    Then his so-called white working class in Pennsylvania and Ohio will know that we are no longer in the 20th century and technology has roared past them. That was what many knew about Trump but thought he could lose if they did not vote.

    The women filled the streets Saturday but it was too late. He is going after blacks, Muslims, Hispanics, etc. They could have shown this zeal on polling day. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” is a quote credited to Edmund Burke without evidence. But it shames the protesters. We hope Trump stumbles, although he has the potential of success. He wants to rupture the system and rebuild. But whether he can rebuild after the rupture is the stuff of history.

    Is he a Machiavellian liar with good intention or just for his ego? The lie he told once in his primary campaigns about Muslims portends his reign. He said a storied American general known as Pershing in the First World War slaughtered 49 Muslims with bullets dipped in pig’s blood. He asked the 50th person to go home and tell his fellow Muslims what he saw.

    This sort of soul does not preside over decent people. He is the don of a new era, and the error of a new dawn.

  • Akeredolu: New era of great expectations

    Akeredolu: New era of great expectations

    There will be a change of baton in Ondo State next month. Governor Olusegun Mimiko will bow out of office after the expiration of his two terms of eight years. Correspondent DAMISI OJO highlights the challenges that will confront the Akeredolu administration and people’s expectations about the new dawn.

    Rotimi Akeredolu, lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is warming up for the task of governance in Ondo State. On February 24, he will receive the mantle of leadership from Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who is bowing out after spending eight years in office. Can the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain make a difference in the Alagabaka Government House?

    The governor-elect is a lucky man. He will not be diverted by protracted litigations, unlike his predecessor, who was in court for 22 months fighting to reclaim his stolen mandate. It is evident that he will savour a smooth transition. He has made peace, in the interim, with Mimiko by trying to commend his achievements. Various committees saddled with the transition assignment have swung into action.

    However, the new governor will inherit some challenges. Akeredolu is assuming the reins in an atmosphere of a malevolent economy. He will have to contend with dwindling federal allocation and internally generated revenue. Labour dispute may be imminent, unless efforts are made to quickly paid the seven months salaries owed to public workers. The intra-party struggle for slots in the State Executive Council may generate tension. Beneficiaries of on-going projects will agitate for their completion.

    Next month, the APC will become a ruling party. Following the controversial primary, it became a polarised platform. Some chieftains are still aggrieved. Automatically, the governor becomes the party leader and arrowhead. The question is: can Akeredolu unite the party?

    Many stakeholders have described his victory as an act of God. The legal luminary has had his baptism of fire twice. As the governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), he failed at the poll four years ago. There was no primary in 2012. Party leaders, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, ensured that he emerged as the flag bearer on merit. But, Akeredolu came a distant third, trailing Chief Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mimiko, who won a second term.

    However, his victory in last year’s election has implications for the progressive bloc in Ondo State. It could be said that progressives are now back in power after the exit of Governor Adebayo Adefarati, who rule the state between 1999 and 2003. This may also be the crux of the matter. The APC has progressive policies and programmes, unlike the conservative platforms that have bestrode the state for 15 years.

    Following the emergence of Akeredolu as the governor-elect, his Owo country home has become a ‘Mecca’ of sorts, particularly for those looking for political patronage and appointments, although he has maintained that he has not promised anybody any position.

    But, his pre-inauguration ad hoc appointments are a pointer to bi-partisanship. Akeredolu has appointed Former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Funsho Kupolokun as the Chairman of the transition committee. He has charged the technocrat to ensure a smooth transition, meet relevant stakeholders before the inauguration and submit a report on February 20. Other committees include the Inauguration Committee headed by Chief Jamiu Ekungba, the Strategic

    Policy and Implementation Committee, the Information and Media Committee, Agriculture and Natural Natural Resources Committee and the Education, Science and Technology Committee.

    Akeredolu reiterated his commitment to the development of the state and welfare of the people. He promised to uphold the cardinal principles of the APC and serve the state with all his strength and vigour so that it can become the envy of other states.

    Kupolokun urged the governor-elect to look beyond the monthly federal allocation, saying that it could not cater for the needs of the state. He said: “The era of total reliance on monthly federal allocation has gone. Hence, the need for the state to develop means of generating funds to cater for the needs of the people. It is therefore, important for the incoming administration to look inward for ways of generating money to run the affairs of the state.”

    Stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders, traders, politicians, and artisans, have spoken on their expectations about the new government.

    A monarch in Akoko Northwest, Oba Olusegun Atibioke, urged Akeredolu to see Mimiko as a partner in progress, stressing that government is a continuum. According to the royal father, Akeredolu should be more closer to God than the people for God to direct him positively. He urged the governor-elect to offer improved welfare package for the people, particularly traditional rulers and public servants. He also urged him to sustain religious harmony in the state.

    A community leader,Chief Owolabi Abanikannda from Oke-Agbe Akoko, advised the incoming APC government to give priority to water supply in Akokoland and other parts of the state. He lamented that the Awara Water Project in Ikare-Akoko has failed to yield the desired result. Besides, Abanikanda called for the recruitment of more health and para-medical workers and the completion of the Oke-Alabojuto-Ikare-Oyin-Okeagbe Road flagged off by Mimiko.

    The community leader pleaded for the regular payment of salaries to workers and stipends to pensioners. He said the governor-elect should not to allow the notion that an Owo man would humiliate Akokos to become a reality. “All moribund industries across the state should be revamped to facilitate employment opportunities,” he added.

    A commentator, Olujimi Adekanle, said the in-coming administration should  carry out a holistic staff audit of the civil service to ascertain the true number of staff. He noted that the figure was over bloated by the past administration. Also, Adekanle urged Akeredolu to probe the Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), alleging that it was characterised by fraud.

    His words:” It was on paper that N2b was spent on palm seedlings in 2011. The governor-elect should ask them where the palm trees are? Also, what the agency did with the N2b naira agriculture funding from CBN in 2015.

    “The destruction of Owena Motels for Shoprite while the last government refused to use the idle trade fair complex, which is just 200metres away from Owena Motels. Who are the owners of the shops in Shoprite?

    “Akeredolu should, as a matter of urgency, approach the Benin Electricity Development Corporation (BEDC) for the restoration of light to the Southern Senatorial District, which has been in darkness for close to four years”.

    Adekanle also charged the new governor to make sure that salaries are paid to workers and pensions to retirees, in fulfilment of his campaign promises.  He also enjoined him to renovate the abandoned primary schools  and convert the mega schools built by Mimiko to hospitals to boost medical delivery services in the state.

    He added: “The Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC) should be restructured as it is a ghost of itself. A panel of enquiry should be set up to ascertain the true position of the Outside Broadcasting Van (OB Van)that was bought for the cooperation at a whooping cost of N400m that never worked for a day.

    “The Dome should be privatised immediately to boost the IGR of the state and finally, Akeredolu should not be sectional in his appointments. He should look for good hands to help him in the management of the state. Not like the immediate governor that has five of his siblings in sensitive and lucrative agencies as heads despite that they are not capable of being in such office.

    A Special Assistant(SA) to Governor Mimiko on Social Media, Sunday Menukuro, said Akeredolu should expect agitations for employment from the people because of the high rate of unemployed graduates roaming the streets.

    He should also settle outstanding salaries of public servants and build on various laudable projects of Mimiko’s administration, rather than scrapping it, he added.

    The deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party(SDP), Erelu Modupe Akindele Martins, urged the incoming administration to pay workers outstanding salaries and give priority to industrialization. She also called for the implementation of 35 per cent mandatory right for women in the sharing of political positions.

    A former Commissioner for Transport, Otunba Omoniyi Omodara, charged Akeredolu to complete viable on-going projects, improve the health sector and allow local governments to operate independently to ensure better service delivery to the grassroots.

    A retiree, Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani, urged Akeredolu to assemble trusted politicians and seasoned technocrats into his cabinet. He also called for autonomy for local government councils. He said the free shuttle bus system for school children initiated by Mimiko should be sustained.

    All Progressives Congress(APC) chieftain Adebowale Akinlosotu advised the governor-elect to provide enabling environment for agriculture, enterpreneurship, technology and infrastructural development.

    He also urged him to empower the youths through skill acquisition and micro-credit loan.

    A petty trader, Funmilayo Salami, urged Akeredolu to govern with human face.

    According to her, the manner the outgoing government has been generating revenue is too harsh on low income earners, especially petty traders, shop owners and road transporters.

    Besides, she called for the constitution of Commodity Price Control Board to regulate the rising cost of goods in the market.

  • A new era begins in Benin

    A new era begins in Benin

    A glorious era has ended with the passage of Oba Erediauwa of Benin Kingdom. But, a new era is also unfolding with the coronation of Oba Eheneden Erediauwa. Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu writes on kingship in the ancient city and cultural links between the past and present dispensation

    IT is a new dawn in the ancient Benin Kingdom, where the people’s cultural heritage appears to have developed an uncanny resistance to the penetrating influence of western civilisation. The city is aglow with festivities as the royal house hosts eminent Nigerians from all walks of life for the coronation of a new Oba. It is the end of a glorious era and the beginning of a new journey into the future.

     The royal family is seized by the excitement. Long beards adorn the necks of palace chiefs, princes and princesses in colourful, roomy and flowing attires. Townspeople also put on their customised dresses according to their age groups. The city wears a new look.

     On display are beautiful works of arts, pointing to various historic epochs, which had survived previous institutional theft. So rich are Binis of old in arts and artifacts that the jealous British invaders, in a fit of covetousness, pounced on the town, carting away the precious antiquities under the guise of punishing a kingdom that had rejected colonialism. The exhibition of the sculptures during the on-going ceremonies reinforces the persistent calls for the return of the cultural loot by the colonial interlopers.

    Tourists from far and near are savouring the predictable hospitality of gregarious locals as they unite in celebration of kingship. The man of the moment, Edaiken Uselu Erediauwa, is putting off the regalia of a prince to adorn the crown of a paramount ruler.

    As he mounts the throne of his forebears today, the new monarch becomes the intermediary between the gods and the people that are bound to be loyal to him for life. Also, he becomes the arch-defender of the age-long tradition and custom, which he must not violate. Instructively, for centuries, these traditional mores have given predictability to Benin Kingdom. More importantly, he assumes the image of a father-figure and symbol of unity.

     Since the days of Edaiken’s illustrious great, great, great grandfather, Oba Ovonramwen, succession to the throne has been devoid of acrimony, unlike in other Yoruba towns. The succession right of the privileged first born is rekindled, thereby erasing the prospect of slight royal scramble for the sacred stool. There is no written rule, but the succession pattern has been inherited from generation to generation.

    However, the method of succession is laced with an inevitable mixture of joy and pain. Mounting a prestigious throne is a fulfillment of destiny. Yet, it is interestingly painful that, like his predecessors, the heir-apparent is forbidden from sharing residency with his father in Benin. At Uselu, some kilometres from the palace, he carves a niche for himself in a small kingdom, learning the ropes until a golden era terminates in the capital city.

    According to community elders, the father could only hear the voice of his son, but a face-to-face interaction is a taboo. It appears that this age-long process of coronation is insulated from modern reforms.

    The joy of the moment reverberates beyond Edo State. The traditional rulers of Ile-Ife, Oyo and Lagos are maintaining a keen interest. Yoruba have emotional attachment to Bini and Itsekiri from time immemorial. There is a mutual acceptance of a solid link between Yorubaland and Benin Kingdom. Many Yoruba monarchs believe that their race is related to Edo through Oranmiyan, the Yoruba prince and founder of the old Oyo Empire, although the facts are being distorted by partisan historians. The late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, once said that, up to the 30s, the official language in the Benin palace was Yoruba.  It was possible that Yoruba obas were concerned and may have even sent emissaries to the deposed Oba Ovoranmwen while on exile in Calabar.

    Oba Ovoranmwen, a man of valour, was a brave ruler. He ultimately paid the supreme price for his bravery while defending his kingdom from the interlopers. When his son, Oba Akenzua II, mounted the throne, Yoruba perceived him as a kith and kin. There was no objection to his choice as the President of the Western regional House of Chiefs when the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the premier. Oba Akenzua’s deputy was the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, the late Oba Anirare Aladesanmi.

    If the link between the Yoruba cradle and Benin is denied, the Lagos/Benin cultural links cannot be denied. The first traditional ruler of Lagos, who successfully edged out the Olofin, was King Ado Kemen, a warrior prince from Benin, who succeeded the legendary Ashipa. All the Elekos were his descendants.

    The change in traditional rulership is coinciding with another milestone in the Big Heart State. A peaceful change of republican power is imminent. In Prince Edaiken Erediauwa’s first four years on the throne, an indigene, Godwin Obaseki, will be serving as governor. Thus, Binis will be wielding sacred and secular powers.

    The new oba has many illustrious predecessors to emulate. He is expected to learn from their exploits and negligible mistakes. Past Benin monarchs have done the city proud and the new oba will not be an exception.

     

    Oba Eweka (1200AD-1235AD)

    After the banishment of Owodo; the last Ogiso under the Ogiso Dynasty, Oduduwa sent his son to Benin to rule the kingdom.  The only area of departure was that Benin people believed that Oduduwa was their own Ikaladerhan, who migrated to become a monarch in Ile-Ife. It was believed that Oranmiyan (Oromiyan in Benin language), got to Benin in 1170 AD. He was said to have named Benin as Ile Ibinu. Unable to speak the Benin dialet, a gulf existed between him and the people. Thus, the reality dawned on him that only someone who understood the culture could pilot the affairs of the town. His son, Eweka I, was the first oba to rule the kingdom with the assistance of his maternal grandfather, Ogiegor.

    Oba Eweka reigned for 35 years.  At his demise, his rival children ruled in succession. They were Oba: Uwakhuanhen (About 1235AD-1243AD) and Oba Ehenmihen (About 1243AD-1255AD).

    Oba Ewedo

    (1255AD-1280AD)

    Prince Efabo ascended the throne after the death of his father with the title Oba Ewedo. He was the fourth oba. His brothers ruled with the support of elders called Edion or Uzama. But, he fought them to a standstill when they sought to equate their status to that of the monarch.

    Oba Oguola (1280AD-1295AD)

    The successor to Ewedo would have been Prince Obuobu. But, he went to Iboland to fight war. In his absence, his brother was crowned with the title Oba Oguola. He was the fifth oba. According to historians, he dug the first and second moats to fortify the city from invaders from Udo. He further decreed that important towns and villages should build similar moats as defense systems around their communities

    Oba Oguola (About 129AD-1299 AD) was succeeded by Edoni whose reign was uneventful.

    Oba Udagbedo

    (1299AD-1334AD)

    He was the seventh ruler. Udagbedo ascended the throne after the death of his brother, Edoni. Udagbedo was industrious brave and kind-hearted. He encouraged agriculture. During his reign, Benin kingdom extended its colonial rule to the present day Ghana.

    Oba Ohen (1334AD-1370AD)

    The eight oba, Ohen, ascended the throne after the death of his brother, Oba Udagbedo. After 25 years on throne, he became paralysed. He was stoned to death by his chiefs for ordering the murder of his Iyase for spying on his deformity.

    Oba Ogbeka (1370- 1400)

    During his reign, the Urhobos migrated from Benin kingdom. He was succeeded by Oba Orobiru (About 1400-1430).

    Oba Uwaifiokun (1430-1440)

    The 11th king usurped the throne of Benin kingdom in place of his senior brother, Prince Ogun, who was the heir apparent. His exiled senior brother murdered him during night ceremonial performance at Oba’s market.

    Oba Ewuare The Great

    (1440-1473)

    According to historians, he was the most revered, dynamic, innovative and successful monarch who transformed the Benin kingdom, politically, socially, and religiously. He changed the kingdom’s name from Ibinu to Edo as a reward to a young man called Edo who served his life. The first contact with any European was made by Oba Ewuare when Ruy De Sequeira visited Benin City in 1472. In his time ivory carving was encouraged.

    Oba Ezoti

    ( 1473-1473)

    He reigned for only fourteen days, having passed away as a result of the injury he sustained from a poisoned arrow fired by an assassin during his coronation. After his death, Prince Okpame, his younger brother was sent to Esi, a town outside Benin City, to being Owere, the heir apparent, to be crowned the Oba. On their way to Benin City, Okpame murdered Owere. Okpame was later banished.

    Oba Olua

    (1473-1480)

    Olua was the second son of Oba Ewuare. He was afraid that Okpame, who fled to Ora, would kill him. His sister, Princess Edeloyo, was asked to ascend the throne. She received the title of Edaiken, a title given to all heirs apparent before their ascension to the throne. She fell sick. As a result, the Uzamas (king makers) and Eghaevbo (executive council) enacted a law permanently prohibiting women from becoming king in ancient Benin Kingdom.

    Olua was eventually crowned the Oba of Benin after much persuasion.

    Oba Ozolua

    (1481-1504)

    After the death of Olua without a clear successor, he was succeeded by Okpame. He fought wars to save the kingdom.

    Oba Esigie (1504-1550)

    Prince Osawe ascended the throne with the title Oba Esigie, after the power struggle between him and his brother Aruanran.

    Oba Orhogbua (1550-1578)

    He was educated under the Portuguese educational system. He expanded the empire to Eko (Lagos) and Badagry. He established the monarchical rule in those places and appointed his own representatives to rule them. He installed the first Oba of Lagos. He introduced the European type cooking salt to Benin kingdom

     Oba Ehengbuda

    (1578-1606)

    Oba Ehengbuda was the first Oba to be visited by English explorers while on the throne. The boundary of Benin Empire and Oyo Empire was set at Otun Ekiti during his reign after many wars were fought between the two empires.

    Oba Ohuan (1606-1641)

     

    Prince Odogbo ascended the throne with the title Oba Ohuan. He died childless.

    Oba Ahenzae (1641-1661)

    Since Ohuan died without a successor, the Eweka I lineage ended.

    Benin kingdom was in a renewed turmoil and nightmare because of the struggle for power. Later, 16 year-old Akenzae, Oba Akenzae (About 1661-1669), Oba Akengboi(About 1669-1675), Oba Akenkpaye(Abou1675-1684)and Oba Akengbodo(About 1684-1689) ruled in succession.

    Oba Oroghene

    (About 1689-1700)

    He received a message from pope Innocent XII encouraging him and his subjects to continue to keep to the Christian faith.

    Oba Ewuakpe

    (About 1700AD-1712AD)

    Prince Idova ascended the throne with the title Oba Ewuakpe. He reigned for about 12 years.

    Oba Ozuere

    (About1712-1713)

    Ozuere was the second son of Oba Ewuakpe. He usurped the throne with the help of some chiefs in place of his senior brother, Akunzua I, contrary to the law made by Oba Ewuakpe and approved by Eghaevbo (executive council) and Uzama Nihinron (the seven kingmakers)that only the eldest son of the Oba should ascend the throne. A civil war that broke out in Benin kingdom lasted for many weeks. Ozuere was eventually defeated and dethroned. His reign lasted for just a year.

    Oba Akenzua I (1713-1735)

    He was described by historians as one of the richest monarchs who reigned in Benin kingdom. He was nicknamed Akenzua Nisonorho (Akenzua the rainy sky). He was the father of Ogie of Avbiama and Obi of Isele-Uku.

    During his reign Benin Kingdom, witnessed a period of peace and prosperity.

    Those who reigned after him were Oba Eresoyen(About 1735-1750), Oba Akengbuda(1750-18004), Oba Obanosa (1804-1816) and Oba Ogbebo(1816-1816).

    Oba Osemwende

    (1816 AD-1848)

    Prince Erediauwa was crowned with the title Oba Osemwende after the defeat of Oba Ogbebo. He ordered the Akure punitive expedition of 1818 to avenge the murdered of Osague, the Benin empire goodwill ambassador to Akure, who was murdered on the order of Arakale, the Udezi of Akure. When the news of his murder got to Benin City, royal troops, under the command of Ezomo Erebo, assisted by Ologboshere and Imaran were sent to Akure. The town was captured, but the Arakale managed to escape to Ado-Ekiti. He was expelled by the Ewi of Ado for fear of invasion by Benin. Arakale fled from Ado to Uju, and later to Uhen, where he was handed over by the Arinjale of Uhen to Ezomo. Arakale was later tried and executed. Oba Erediuawa 1 was succeeded by Oba Adolor (1848AD-1888)

    Oba Ovonramwen

    (1888-1914)

    He was a determined ruler and highly protective of his kingdom. He dared the British military and paid for the consequence. The Benin Empire fell to the British force during the punitive expedition of 1897.

    Captain Phillip and his party commenced a trade mission to Benin City in January 1897, when the Oba and his subjects were celebrating the annual Igue festival. During the festival, visitors were not allowed in the town. They were encouraged to postpone their visit for two months. But, the British refused. The parties were massacred. Some of them managed to escape.

    In February, the British forces launched an attack on Benin City; it was finally captured after eight days of fighting. The kingdom was destroyed. Its valuable artifacts were looted. Ologbohere, who allegedly encouraged  Captain Phillip, was trialed and hanged. Oba Ovoranmwen was dethroned and deported to Calabar where he died in January 1914 after spending 16 years in captivity. Chief AghoOgbedeoyo, the ObasekiOf Benin, acted as the Oba during the interregnum, that is, between 1897 and 1914.

    Oba Eweka II (1914-1932)

    Prince Aiguobasinwin Ovonramwen (Eweka II) was born by Queen Eghaghe, who hailed from Uvbe Village, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. She passed away on February 18, 1933 after the passing away of her son, Eweka II. She was buried by her grandson, Oba Akenzua II.

    Oba Eweka was a bold and courageous person. He was nicknamed Ovbiodu. He rebuilt the palace, which was in ruins during the British expedition. Thus, he also earned the appellation, ‘Eweka N’ Ologbe.’ During his installation, he took an oath of allegiance to the British.

    Oba Akenzua II (1932-1978)

    Prince Godfrey Edokpa Orhogbuyunmwun Aiguobasinmwin Eweka was born on April 5, 1899 at Irhirhi village. He was a popular crown prince. He was the grandson of Ovonramwen, the last independent King of Benin. His mother, Queen Ariowa, died in 1926, but her body was embalmed at Evborubu village, according to custom, until she was officially buried after the ascension of her son as Oba of Benin in 1935. She was then proclaimed “IYOBA” (Oba’s Mother) The son built a house and raised monument to her memory at the entrance to Eguae-Iyoba.

    Oba Akenzua II was trained by his father’s friend, Chief Ajayi, the Ovienrioba of Benin. He was groomed as a future king. He attended Benin Government School in 1907. His head teacher was the late Mr. Okai, a Ghanaian. The prince passed the Standard Six Examination in 1915. In 1918, he proceeded to King’s College, Lagos, where he passed the Junior Cambridge Examination in 1921.

  • Obaseki: New era, new challenges

    Obaseki: New era, new challenges

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole will bow out of office in two months’ time. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU highlights the challenges that will confront his successor, Godwin Obaseki.

    His victory at the governorship poll was a fulfillment of destiny. A year ago, he was not aware of what fate had in stock for him. As the leader of the Edo State Economic Team, he was a silent worker at the ‘Think-Tank Office, assisting his ‘boss’ in policy initiation and implementation. Godwin Obaseki was self-effacing.  As a professional, his colleagues felt that politics was a no-go area for him. Little did he guess that he will eventually emerge as Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s successor, following a historic contest between him and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Also, Obaseki’s victory marked the fulfillment of the governor’s dream to hand over to a competent successor. Oshiomhole had fought many battles in the last eight years in Edo. He waged a successful war against godfathers, who he claimed, had converted the state into their fiefdom. He also fought the infrastructure battle, earning an applause for an impressive performance. But, despite his track record, the recent poll was not a walk over for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The succession battle may have really affected the party, making some chieftains to subvert or undermine it at the poll. Although Obaseki was eminently qualified to be governor, there was a strong opposition to his emergence.

    To the comrade governor, Obaseki was the right choice, giving the prevailing circumstances. Oshiomhole may have studied the succession pattern in Lagos State where the two governors who had come after former Governor Bola Tinubu-Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Akinwunmi Ambode-had lived up to expectation. Obaseki shares a similar trait with these successful administrators. They are technocrats like him. Having successfully laid a new foundation for Edo’s future, Oshiomhole believed that only a competent successor could defend the legacies of his administration and build on the foundation.

    The joy of victory may have withered in the face of the daunting challenges. Much is expected of the governor-elect. Having succeeded in the private sector where he had worked in the last 30 years, Obaseki is expected to enact the success story that made him a man of pedigree.

    As the people of Edo State anticipate a new dawn, the governor-elect is leaving no stone unturned during the transition period. He is conscious of the weight of responsibilities on his shoulders. His first priority is reconciliation in his party. After the poll, the governor-elect  has demonstrated his intention to run an all-inclusive government. He has been discussing with stakeholders, particularly aggrieved party stalwarts, who were upset by the selection process that produced him as the flag bearer. The goal is to pacify them, give them a sense of belonging and tap from their rich experience.

    Besides, Obaseki, who has thanked the people for giving him the mandate, is seeking for another favour. He has urged the people from the 18 local governments to unite behind his administration. “Politics and elections are over. Now is the time to begin the task of development to move the state forward,” he said.

    Obaseki added: “It is time to bury the hatchet and close ranks for the good of our state. Our state is superior to all other interests and we must as individuals subordinate our personal ambitions to that of the collective.’

    According to observers, the governor-elect must have the courage of conviction to confront the challenges. A lot of pressure will be exerted on him in the course of the struggle for the distribution of appointments by stakeholders. Edo is a heterogeneous state. This makes geo-political balancing more compelling. Besides, the PDP factor in the state cannot be dismissed. The opposition party has two senators and some members of the House of Assembly and Representatives.

    Obaseki, a financial expect, may not coming to play politics. During the campaigns, he had told the people that his priority was the economic survival of the Southsouth state. Many expect him to set up a cabinet of talents. A party source acknowledged that the people expect a mixed grill of tested professionals and seasoned politicians.  Obaseki is likely to bring his experience in the private sector to bear on governance. Fiscal discipline and frugality may be the watchword. “I will not have a large cabinet,” he told reporters in Benin, the state capital, shortly after his victory at the poll. This may have wider implications for the building of a new perception about governance. By planning to reduce the size of the State Executive Council, the governor -elect will be reducing the cost of governance.

    It is likely that Oshiomhole may leave behind a number of uncompleted projects across the three senatorial districts. Since Obaseki will be presiding over a government of continuity, the onus is on him to complete these laudable projects. Its completion should be a core priority, having been part of their initiation and implementation from the beginning.

    The financial expert will be assuming the reins at a critical time in history. The country is in recession. Reflecting on the economic downturn, Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanayi once said that it is not the best of time to be governor in Nigeria. Thus, governance cannot be a tea-party. Oshiomhole has managed to pay salaries and financed the on-going projects. That feat were even difficult to foremost oil-producing states. Obaseki has to roll up his sleeves. Since the federal allocation to the state may continue to dwindle, he should adorn his thinking cap and explore avenues for income generation to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). During the campaign, he spoke on the need to maximise the opportunities for taxation. However, he also admitted that taxation should have human face because over-taxation may lead to uproar.

    During the campaigns, the APC candidate made some promises to the people. These promises must be fulfilled. The campaign promises included more roads, more hospitals, jobs for the youths, increased funding for agriculture and industrialisation. As a big name in the private sector, Edo also looks forward to the fulfillment of the promise to attract local and foreign investors.

    In his victory speech, the governor-elect reiterated his determination to implement his manifestos. He said: “Our promise to build a state anchored on a productive economy that will transform and empower our citizens is sincere. We promised jobs. We promised improved scial welfare services and a secured state. We will strive to deliver on all these promises. As we travelled all over our great state selling our programmes, we also took note of your concerns and problems, and I want to assureyou that we will do everything in our power to address them.”

    Obaseki has a mentor and role model in Oshiomhole. But, he must strive to beat his performance. The new helmsman should also be sensitive to the mistakes the comrade governor may have committed that made some stakeholders to overlook his performance.

    Also, in this dispensation,  predecessor-successor crises have always marred relations between former governors and their anointed candidates. The examples are the Kwankwaso/Danguge rift, Obi/Obiano conflict and Akpabio/Emmanuel crisis, although the later is been managed to prevent its escalation. These post-election rifts often divide the ruling parties and the states. They can be prevented through mutual respect, promotion of understanding, acknowledgment of limitations to influence, compromise and consensus building.

  • ‘A new era beckons’ 

    ‘A new era beckons’ 

    Governor-elect Godwin Obaseki, in his acceptance speech, described his victory as the dawn of a new era. He saluted his fellow contenders, urging them to close ranks for the good of the state.

    His speech reads:

    “This is a historic victory for all Edo citizens and our party, the APC. It underscores clearly your preference for the continuity and consolidation of our programmes. More importantly, by your votes you clearly affirmed your faith in my ability to lead our state forward into a new era

    “This is a responsibility Philip Shaibu, my running mate, and myself do not take lightly. Our promise to build a state anchored on a productive economy that will transform and empower our citizens is sincere. We promised jobs. We promised empowerment of our citizens. We promised improved social welfare services, and a more secured state.

    “We will strive to deliver on all of these promises. As we travelled all over our great state selling our programmes, we also took note of your concerns and problems, and I want to assure you that we will do everything in our power to address them. Let me, at this point, sincerely salute the courage of all those who came out to exercise their franchise in spite of the intimidating manoeuvres of merchants of violence to derail the conduct of a peaceful, free and fair election; you are the heroes of this election!

    “You saw through their propaganda and lies, and you made the right decision. I am happy that the elections were generally peaceful with no loss of lives; I salute the spirit of Edo people. I also want to commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as the security agencies, for their role in maintaining peace and order during the elections.

    “I want to specially thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his profound commitment to a new order in Nigeria. Mr. President, we deeply appreciate your presence at the grand finale of our campaign at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on September 6.  That singular honour served as a tonic to our campaign.

    “I wish to also acknowledge and appreciate the support received from all the APC Governors as well as the leadership of our great party. Your efforts collectively laid the foundation for this victory.

    “I reserve very special appreciation to our Comrade Governor, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, for his vision and single-minded focus on the progress and development of our state. When everyone thought it was impossible, you proved to Edo people that government could, indeed, work for them. I want you to know that the legacy that you have built will live on forever!

    “I also wish to use this opportunity to salute my fellow contestants for putting up a gallant fight. This competitive campaign has helped us to sharpen our focus on some of the most important issues affecting our people.

    “The elections are over; it is time to bury the hatchet and close ranks for the good of our dear state. Our state is superior to all other interests and we must, as individuals, subordinate our personal ambitions to that of the collective.

    “As I end this address, let me say that a new future beckons. I pledge to work tirelessly for the good of all Edo people, irrespective of gender, social status, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.

    “But the success of Edo State does not depend on government alone but on each and every one of us. I therefore ask for your support and prayers in the challenging task of leading our state and charting a refreshing future for our children.”

     

  • A new era opens auspiciously

    A new era opens auspiciously

    EVEN the best clairvoyant would have been hard put to predict, by the end of last year, the peaceful manner the curtain fell on the Goodluck Jonathan era, let alone the auspicious opening of a new one, the Muhammadu Buhari era. But yesterday, against the run of play, much of it foul and abusive politics, the curtain actually fell. All that remains for Dr Jonathan is probably regret; and all that awaits President Buhari is probably hope. There was nothing in the inauguration, which lasted for less than three hours, that gave indication of the gruesome and cruel battles that foreshadowed the last polls. In fact, both President Buhari and Dr Jonathan conducted themselves maturely throughout the ceremony.

    After labouring for all of 12 years to win the presidency, it was expected the president would be ecstatic over his unprecedented feat of defeating an incumbent in a country where such a political earthquake never occurred before, and in a continent where such daring and radical changes have been experienced only a few times. Shortly after the elections were concluded and candidate Buhari announced winner, attention was repeatedly focused on what was described as Dr Jonathan’s magnanimous and patriotic concession of defeat, a feat properly described as dissipating the tension that had suffused the elections and the polity. At the inauguration itself, attention was divided: with a final, parting flourish expected from Dr Jonathan, and a remarkable and even unusual thing expected from the new president. Other than his preliminary gaucheness in not exchanging pleasantries with foreign VIP guests before he took his seat, which he quickly corrected with the help of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, all President Buhari managed was a smile or two after taking the Oath of Office.

    Nothing diminished the occasion, however. It held with military and civilian aplomb, while the inaugural speech aligned with his customary brevity with words. Though the speech exhibited little or no rhetorical garnishment, it reassured with the right emphasis, the right issues, and the right promises, many of them already given during electioneering. A few things were, however, unmistakable during the inauguration. The country appreciated the role Dr Jonathan played in ensuring a successful election and handover, and the inauguration crowd responded to him with measured grace and respect. He did not stir them when he was in office; they would not pretend now that he was going to do so. Instead, they reserved their exhilaration for the president and vice president. Indeed, more than any scientific understanding or analysis of the event, the crowd demonstrated a sense of an era closing. Their lives were not touched in remarkable and positive ways, but touched they were nonetheless.

    More importantly, the crowd showed by their responses and generally muted celebrations that they recogised a new era had just opened, a new epoch filed with great portents of sacrifice, pains, hard work, lonely nights, and sweaty days. They expect a new approach to national issues, because their instincts tell them the president would demand it. They expect to be inspired by a new patriotic, can-do spirit, and perhaps they wonder to what extent they could meet his aspiration, and he meet theirs. The new era is in fact pregnant with so many things: of renewed vigour in counterinsurgency; determined fight against corruption; sincere battles against little or no electricity supply, poverty and unemployment, and against all other sundry but loathsome crimes and misdemeanours.

    It seems more than anything else that the new era will also indicate differences in style. President Buhari spoke much firmer when he was military head of state than he does now, whether during electioneering or inauguration, but the differences between him and Dr Jonathan will more properly extend to work ethic, ideas, policies and even family. While President Buhari approaches life and leadership with more gravitas, Dr Jonathan had tended to be approachable but also uproariously more flighty. The president’s 20 months or so as military head of state is still remembered for its tremors and deep longing to execute life-changing social and economic policies, it is almost certain that while his methods may be moderated by the demands of democracy, they are unlikely to be less urgent, sweeping or life-changing. Indeed, he gave enough indications in his inaugural address that he will not be afraid to break the mould, partly perhaps because this is not his first time as leader, and also because he appears irrevocably committed to a cause, expiatory or not, only he seems able to conceptualise and concretise.