The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oba Erediauwa

  • ‘How Oba Erediauwa cursed our community’

     

    Some elders of Iguomon community in Uhunmwode local government area have insisted that it was the cursed placed by Oba Erediauwa in 2014 that has caused several deaths and retrogression in the community.

    The elders dismissed allegations by the priest of Okhuaihe N’ Uleku shrine, Mr Uyimwen Odeh, that problems in the community were caused because some sacred and ancestral trees were cut down after 14 days prayer session.

    They claimed that it was a native doctor that revealed to them that their problems were caused by Oba Erediauwa’s curse and not the cutting down of the sacred trees.

    Explaining why the sacred and ancestral trees were cut down, Secretary to the community, Pastor Joseph Ighodaro, said it was one Pastor Ugeh from Delta State that said he received a revelation from God that three prominent man in the village have been tied to a tree.

    Pastor Ugeh was said to have told them that the ancient iroko tree known as Uloko Ewuare was where witches and wizard hold meetings and serve as their warehouse.

    The Community Secretary stated that the cutting down all the sacred and ancestral trees pointed out by Pastor Ugeh was down in December 2016.

    Pastor Joseph explained that the community stared witnessing pre-mature deaths since 2014 when the curse was placed.

    Joseph said the native doctor warned that the community would soon be deserted if the curse is not revoked.

    He said the curse was placed because some former leaders of the community refused to relinquish power when they were asked to do so by the Oba.

    His words, “All you hear from them is a lie. Oba actually placed a curse in this community. It was during the reign of Oba Erediauwa. The reason he came here to place a curse was as a result of the disobedience to his ruling on the leadership of this community. Oba Erediauwa gave a ruling three time on how leadership tussle will be settled and everybody to live in peace, the other faction refused. That was why he placed a curse.

    “In 2014, Oba Erediauwa sent his Ewaise to the community. The Ewaise came and place the curse at the Aruotor shrine that those disobeying the Oba’s directive will suffer. The people who disobeyed the Oba were absent at the event. We have lost nine persons in this community.

    “We are ready to appease the trees if we are told what to do but the Oba’s curse must be revoked”.

    Pa Roland Ugiagbe Okhuorabo who is supposed to be installed as the next Odionwere (Village head) said he would not accept to be installed unless the curse is revoked.

    He threatened to leave the community to avoid any calamity.

     

  • Benin Arts, cultural heritage best in Africa – USA

    Benin Arts, cultural heritage best in Africa – USA

    The U. S. Consul General, Mr John Bray has said that the Benin arts and cultural heritage remains the best in Africa.

    Bray said this on Friday when the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Williams Stuart led a team to the palace of Oba Ewuare II in Benin.

    He told the monarch that they were in his palace to inform him of the Solomon Alonge exhibition of African arts by Smithsonian National Museum in Benin.

    Alonge (1911–1994) is one of Nigeria’s premiere photographers and the first official photographer of the royal court of Benin, Nigeria.

    “The Benin arts and cultural heritage remains the best in Africa,” Bray said adding that the United States had already set up a fund for the revitalisation of museums in Nigeria.

    Earlier, Stuart told the Oba that he and his delegation were in Benin for the historic grand opening of Alonge exhibition at National Museum.

    Stuart said the event which he described as first of its kind was sponsored by U.S. government and Heritage Bank.

    In his response, Oba Ewuare said that the uniqueness of the Benin art, culture and traditional heritage was yet to be surpassed or dominated by the rest of the world.

    Ewuare said that the exhibition of African art by Nigerians in Diaspora in Benin marked the beginning of cultural intellectuals.

    He expressed optimism that the alleged Benin artworks “forcefully snatched’’ abroad would be brought home.

    He canvassed for the establishment of more cultural centres for art, traditions and cultural heritage of Nigeria across all parts of the country so as to regain the lost societal values and norms, especially among the new generation.

    The Benin monarch, who also spoke on the impact of climate change, urged global leaders to develop a stronger blueprint to control environmental pollution rather than display strength through nuclear weapons.

    Oba Ewuare explained that African countries and other nations in a conflict were on the receiving end of the negative aftermaths of wars.

    While cautioning world leaders to achieve peace, the Oba also called on U.S. government and European countries to return all the artefacts illegally carted away from Benin kingdom during the European evasion of the 13th century.

    The highlight of the visit was the offer of prayers by the monarch to his ancestors for the safe return of all looted artefacts from Benin kingdom during the invasion by colonial masters in the 13th century.

    NAN reports that Alonge’s work spans half a century and presents a dynamic continuous record of the reigns of Oba Akenzua II (1933–78) and late Oba Erediauwa and the political and social events surrounding the royal palace.

    For five decades, Alonge photographed the royal wives and children, visiting dignitaries and politicians, and annual festivals and court ceremonies from a unique insider’s perspective.

  • Don’t cook with fire on Sunday, Benin residents told

    As part of activities for the continuation of the 15 days funeral rites of late Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa, residents in Benin kingdom have been told not to cook with fire on Sunday 5th June.

    It is the day of Igberimwin in the royal funeral rites programme.

    A press statement signed by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor said the cooking without fire was in accordance with Benin customs and tradition.

    The statement said all Benins as well as non-indigenes in the kingdom were expected to observe the Igberimwin rites.

  • Oba Erediauwa: Crown Prince performs Izakhue rites

    Oba Erediauwa: Crown Prince performs Izakhue rites

    As the 15 days funeral rites of Oba Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin continues, Crown Prince of Benin kingdom and Edaiken N’ Uselu, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa on Sunday led his siblings to performed the Izakhue rites according to Benin customs.

    The ceremony involved entertainment of guests and performing some sacrifices at the shrine of Ugha Ozolua.

    Animals slaughtered at the shrine included a cow, chicken and a goat.

    There were several musical performances and cultural display at the Oba Palace.

    Members of the Isiemwenro guild (the big ants the sting the Oba’s enemies) wore black and danced with their traditional weapons.

    The Crown Prince first performed some dance steps to a funeral song by the Isiemwenro guild when he arrived the palace. He wore a hat decorated with beads on a with shirt and wrapper.

    He was led to the altar of Oba Ozolua by members of the Royal Iwebo House.

    After prayers were offered and the animals slaughtered, the event was climaxed with a dance procession to the Emotan Shrine and other shrines.

    There was heavy traffic congestion as the dance procession move through designated route.

    Vehicles were asked to switched off their head lights while traders were also asked to put off their lamps.

     

  • Oba Erediauwa: Crown Prince performs purification rites

    Oba Erediauwa: Crown Prince performs purification rites

    Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom and Ediaken N’ Uselu, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, has begun the rites of his passage of his father, Omon N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin.

    Prince Erediauwa perform some sacrifice at the Ihama N’ Ogbe shrine and the Iviorhue rites representing purity and peace.

    The ceremony was performed by a group of Ihogbe Chiefs headed by Chief Leteman who was delegated by the Ihama N’ Ihogbe.

    It was meant to purify the Crown Prince to prepare him for the task ahead.

    From there, the Crown Prince moved to the Oba’s Palace and was joined by his siblings where the funeral rites continued indoors.

    There was a social wake at the palace attended by some palace Chiefs.

    The Obarisiagbon of Benin Kingdom, Chief Osato Giwa-Osagie, said the Oba never dies but only joined his ancestors for more tranquil and divine life.

    Chief Giwa-Osagie said the entire Benin kingdom would miss Oba Erediauwa’s exemplary leadership style and deep sense of humor.

  • Senate eulogizes Oba Erediauwa

    The Senate on Wednesday eulogized the late Oba of Benin, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo.

    This followed a motion by Senator Matthew Urhoghide (Edo south) and two other Senators from Edo State.

    Senator Urhoghide urged the Senate to note with grief, the death of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, the Oba of Benin, as announced by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, on April 29.

    He said that Oba Erediauwa reigned for 37 years.

    He observed that upon ascending the throne, Oba Erediauwa quickly established himself as a wise manager of human affairs in the huge Benin Kingdom and his astuteness earned him respect and admiration of virtually every segment of his vast domain and beyond.

    The lawmaker noted that the greatest characteristics of the late Oba were the friendship he cultivated across religion, ethnic and tribal divide throughout his reign.

    The period of the late Oba, he said, witnessed phenomenal changes in the economic, socio-political and educational infrastructure of the Benin Kingdom.

     

  • Oba Erediauwa

    Oba Erediauwa

    •An icon passes on

    An unusual  announcement  by the Benin Traditional Council in March 2015  that  Oba  Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin, was “indisposed,”  perhaps prepared the public for the official news of his passing, which came over a year later on April 29. The Benin Traditional Council said: “in the Palace parlance, ‘Uhunmwun ve Ekpen vb’ Ato’ meaning the Leopard is ill in the Savannah bush”. The leopard metaphor reflected Oba Erediauwa’s kingly position and power. The information stated the implication of the situation: “Public engagements including courtesy visits, hearing of complaints from individuals, families and communities, and in particular, complaints over inheritance and land disputes are there fore suspended until further notice.”

    It is striking that the formal announcement of Oba Erediauwa’s exit did not say when and how it happened. It is a testimony to the solidity of the traditional culture that during the considerable length of time between the notice of his illness and the declaration of his departure, the structures of traditional power operated without a hitch, guided by time-tested and time-honoured customs.

    Considered against the background of the historically significant Benin Empire of old, which was ruled by the occupant of the Benin throne, Oba Erediauwa indeed inherited a throne of significance.

    It is a point worth pondering that Oba Erediauwa’s almost four-decade reign, from March 1979, ultimately preserved the essence of the ancient practices of his people.  It was a statement about the limits of modernising influences and the resilience of the old order.

    After his coronation as the 38th Oba of Benin, the traditional ruler of the Edo people in Benin City, Edo State, he became His Royal Majesty Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I. Born on June 22, 1923, he was known as Prince Solomon Akenzua before he succeeded his father, Oba Akenzua II.

    On Oba Erediauwa’s trajectory to the throne, he attended Government College, Ibadan (1939-1945), Yaba College, and King’s College, Cambridge, where he studied Law and Administration. After a stint in the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service, he joined the Federal Civil Service where he retired as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, in 1973. He also worked as a regional representative of Gulf Oil. His appointment as Commissioner for Finance in Bendel State, by a military administration, further equipped him for the high-profile royal position of Oba of Benin.

    By the time he celebrated his 30th coronation anniversary in 2009, Oba Erediauwa had a firmly established reputation for decency, integrity, royal wisdom, and social consciousness. At critical junctures in his interaction with the country’s political leaders, he demonstrated a correct understanding of good governance by courageously aligning himself with progressivism.

    Two instances will suffice to illustrate the weight of Oba Erediauwa’s influence in the political sphere: his successful 2012 endorsement of Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole for a second term in office based on demonstrable governmental performance; and his unenthusiastic stance on the 2015 second-term aspiration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which eventually failed.

    His patriotic inclination was also evident during the crisis that triggered the Nigerian civil war. He was then Permanent Under-Secretary, Federal Cabinet Office, and participated in the decisive meeting between the warring groups at Aburi, Ghana, in January 1967.

    There was an unmistakable aura of respectability about Oba Erediauwa. He recognised the social purpose of power, and enjoyed the reverence of his people throughout his reign. At the national level, he was honoured with the award, Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), which spoke volumes about his recognition beyond his local milieu.

    He carried an ancient legacy with a modern consciousness, and was able to pass it on unsullied. He was a grand representative of by-gone imperial times, but had an accommodating understanding of the extant political environment.

    Oba Erediauwa was an eloquent example of self-containment and equipoise. He did not opportunistically mingle with the government of the day, and retained his indisputable moral voice till he left.

     

  • Oba Erediauwa: Bury your dead now, BTC tells residents

    Oba Erediauwa: Bury your dead now, BTC tells residents

    The Benin Traditional Council has called on all residents in Benin kingdom to bury their dead as all funeral rites would be prohibited from the date of the announcement of Emwinekhue (burial ceremonies) of Oba Erediauwa.

    It said the Emwinekhua would soon be announced.

    Speaking at a press briefing Wednesday, Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, urged all residents in the kingdom to respect the custom and tradition of the kingdom and be law abiding.

    Chief Igbe said all markets in the kingdom have been reopened as they were supposed to be closed for three days after the transition of Oba Erediauwa was announced.

    The Iyase said all male citizens of Benin Kingdom were expected to as a rule clean shave the hair on their head in obedience to Benin tradition.

    He stated that friends and well-wishers of the kingdom might wish to join citizens of the kingdom to clean shave their hair.

    “All Chiefs, Enigie, Priests and palace functionaries who are entitled to wear beads would seize to wear beads”

    “Instead they will wear omonorhue or white thread (Ikhian) until further notice.”

    Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin kingdom, said sanctions from the ancestors await anyone that fails to clean shave his hair.

  • Oba’s death: Edo declares five days of mourning

    Oba’s death: Edo declares five days of mourning

    The Edo state Government on Tuesday declared five days mourning period in honour of the late Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa.
    Gov. Adams Oshiomhole announced the declaration during the State Executive Council meeting in Benin.

    Oshiomhole also directed that the nation`s flag should be flown at half mast in the state within the period of mourning.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the death of the late Oba was officially made public on Friday, April 29, by the palace.

    Oshiomhole later paid a condolence visit on the Crown Prince Iheneden, on Monday.

     

  • Cash crunch: Edo Govt vows to complete ongoing projects

    Cash crunch: Edo Govt vows to complete ongoing projects

    The Edo state government has on Thursday assured that all ongoing projects embarked upon would be completed in spite of the cash crunch that has hit most states of the federation.

    This assurance was given by the state commissioner for Works, Mr Osarodion Ogie while inspecting road and flood control projects in Abudu, Oba Erediauwa and 2nd East Circular areas of the state.

    The commissioner said while some states were finding it difficult to pay salaries, Edo had continue to meet with workers salaries obligation as well as continued with projects execution across the state.

    He said this was made possible because the Adams Oshiomhole led government had from inception made conscious effort to cut down on recurrent expenditure to beef up its capital expenditure.

    Ogie said the tax drive and blockage of leakages in the state resources have also assisted the government to meet up with its financial obligation.

    He said as a responsible government, it would continue to ensure that that the people’s money was being spent responsibly until the last day of the government.

    According to him, “The people of the state know they have in place a responsible government and it is the covenant of this government that it would work until the last day.

    “As a responsible government we will ensure that no ongoing project embarked upon will be abandoned.

    “You will notice that we have continue that contractors have not left the site of all ongoing projects in spite of the cash crunch that have hit most states of the federation. Edo is not owing any workers while several states of the federation have been unable to pay salaries for months now.

    “We are not saying we are not being affected by the cash crunch because there are many projects the government would have love to execute. What we are saying that we have ensured that the ongoing ones does not suffer In spite of the financial challenges in the country.

    Speaking on the 10km Oba Erediauwa and 26 adjoining road projects in Upper Sakponba, Ogie said it was carefully initiated to address the menace of flood problem in the areas.

    “The Erediauwu road project comprises of 26 adjoining streets. Several of this streets have not witness any vehicular movement for about 20 years as a result of their states And many houses in the area have been swallowed due to challenges of flooding problem in the area.

    “The same goes to the Abudu township road and three adjoining streets that we are also working on. The abudu road project put together is 4.5km.

    “On the 2nd East Circular, the road which has totally failed have been left abandoned for over 30 years. It is a commercial road hence our decision to reconstruct the road from it original single lane to dual carriage road fitted with work -way and street light, ” he explained.