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Tag: Oba Ewuare

  • Communities seek forgiveness for prince

    Communities seek forgiveness for prince

    The elders and indigenes of the riverine communities of Ologbo Dukedom have appealed to His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II the Oba of Benin to forgive Enogie, Prince Owen Jason Akenzua.

    The communities in a statement signed by Pa Samuel Asokuarami Odiowere (Olara-ja), Abel Iyinboh and Pa Samuel Asokuarami respectively urged the monarch to consider lifting the suspension on Akenzua  that has brought immense suffering to the communities.

    “We acknowledge that the Enogie may have erred, but we beg for your mercy and forgiveness. We are willing to make amends and work towards healing and reconciliation.

    Read Also: Personal Income Tax by wealthy Nigerians to hit 25%, says Edun

    “We pledge our loyalty to your majesty and promise to uphold the traditions and values of our great Benin kingdom.

    “The suspension of Prince Owen Jason Akenzua as Enogie has created a power vacuum that has enabled one other Chief to wreak havoc on our communities, and installation of parallel heads in our communities

    “ We are deeply concerned that if this situation is not addressed, it may lead to further chaos and destruction. We implore you, Your Royal Majesty, to intervene.

    We humbly request that Your Royal Majesty consider the complexities of Ologbo Dukedom and we pledge our unwavering loyalty to Your Royal Majesty and pray that you continue to reign with wisdom and justice, upholding the principles of fairness and integrity that have guided your rule.”

  • Oba Ewuare advocates for more agric investors

    Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare, has said that more investment in the agriculture sector remains the surest way to food sufficiency and economic stability of any country.

    Oba Ewuare said this when he hosted an agro-business investor Capt. Nosa Okunbor, a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Desmond Agbama, and made available on Friday in Benin said.

    Agbama said that Okunbor visited the traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom to his first fruit harvested from his Well Green House Farm Limited.

    Ewuare was quoted as saying that the growth of a country’s revenue largely depended on agriculture.

    He said that more job opportunities would be created in the country through agriculture and agro-businesses.

    “Natural resources such as crude oil can be depleted, but farming continues to thrive through all ages, which explains why governments at all levels are encouraging agriculture.”

    Oba encouraged the people to embrace farming in order to contribute to job creation and food availability in the country.

    Read Also: Oba Ewuare moves to end menace of human trafficking

    The monarch offered prayers for bountiful harvest for all farmers across the state and the nation at large.

    Earlier, Okunbor told the Oba of Benin that he was at the palace to present the first produce of his greenhouse farm located in Benin.

    According to him, the farm is expected to provide over 2,000 jobs as well as solve the problem of hunger.

    The Well Green House Farm occupies 27 hectares of land, with capacity for growing vegetables using the Hydroponics method.

    Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without using soil. This technique instead uses a mineral nutrient solution in a water solvent, allowing the nutrient uptake process to be more efficient than when using soil.

    NAN

  • Obaseki, Indonesian President, tackle barriers to trans-continental trade

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, the President of Indonesia, Mr Joko Widodo, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, in Indonesia, Mr Luhut Pandjaitan, and President & Chief Executive Officer, PT Pertamina ( Persero ), Mr. Elia Massa Manik, on Tuesday at the ongoing Africa Indonesia Forum in Bali, highlighted the barriers to sustainable trade between Africa and the Asian country and proffered home-grown solutions to the challenges.

    With the theme: “Developing sustainable Trade and Investment Cooperation Between Indonesia and Africa,” the panel session, which was moderated by Director, Standard Chartered Bank, Anthonia Okoh, focused on agriculture, technical cooperation, financing, strategic industries, manufacturing and digital economy.

    Sharing the Edo State experience, Obaseki told his co-panellists and participants, the successes being recorded through reforms in critical institutions of government, such as the creation of an Edo Geographic Information Service Agency to create a land data bank, the repositioning of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the synergy between the state government and the Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to remove the encumbrances in land acquisition, a major factor of production.

    “Our land reforms are yielding positive results as more investors have expressed their desire to set up factories in Edo State. We have strengthened the institutional framework for physical development management in the state and a few days ago, I gave a directive to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to ensure a 48-hour turnaround time for approval of building plans in the state, within the next six months.

    “We have also tasked the Edo State Geographic Information Service Agency to ensure that Certificates of Occupancy ( C of O ) and Rights of Occupancy ( R of O ) are issued to applicants within thirty ( 30 ), days of application,” the governor said.

    He assured the Asian investors of his administration’s commitment to an investment-friendly climate that has supported the best oil palm companies in Nigeria and called on investors to leverage on the growing positive socio-economic outlook of Edo State.

    “Both Okomu Oil and Presco Plc. have embarked on very ambitious projects to expand their plantations in the state, and are currently doing well in the Stock Market. These achievements are tied to the friendly investment climate we have created for businesses in our state, and with the Benin Industrial Park, the Gelegele Seaport, the Benin Modular Refinery and our robust bouquet of agricultural programmes, Edo is indeed, the best place to invest,” he added.

    Obaseki further said that “Edo youths are industrious, ready to work and the people are hospitable to investors and tourists.”

    Welcoming participants to the event, the Indonesian President, Mr Joko Widodo, highlighted the gains inherent in extensive relations between his country and Africa.

    With its vast and abundant fertile soil, Indonesia is a major global key producer of a wide variety of tropical agricultural products. Palm oil is particularly important to Indonesia, as the country is the world’s biggest producer of the commodity, providing about half of the world’s supply.

    For Africa, agriculture accounts for up to 60 percent of all jobs on the continent and more than 50 per cent of GDP in many African countries. In this sense, discussion on sustainable and holistic agriculture management is crucial for both sides’ economic and social benefits, the organisers said.

    On financing, the organisers of the event explained that “financing is one of the key components in trade and investment cooperation, Indonesia continuously explores innovative ways to strengthen economic relations with African countries. One example is that since 2015, Indonesia has been implementing the National Interest Account ( NIA ) program to boost Indonesia’s trade and investment, particularly to untapped markets, including Africa.

    “Under the NIA program, the government allocated Rp 1.3 trillion ( approximately USD 96 million ) for trade financing with Africa until 2022 and is planning to enhance the budget in the future. To date, a number of trade activities with Africa have been already funded through NIA.

    Read Also: Obaseki: arrest pastor’s killers

    “The Indonesian government is also considering the possibility of establishing a mechanism that can enhance Indonesian investment in African continent through counter trade financing scheme.

    “The manufacturing sector plays an important role in Indonesia’s economic relations with Africa, therefore, addressing trade and investment barriers such as high tariffs and NTBs are timely for continued cooperation. The discussions to open up both markets through trade agreements in addition to other mechanisms should be further explored, and it is imperative to seek creative ways in order to address the issues.

    “There are currently 25 companies doing business with Africa and we would like to see this number grow in the future, including through Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs ) cooperation. The inclusion of digital economy as a topic of discussion reflects the fact that both Indonesia and Africa are well positioned to benefit from rapidly accelerating technological change that can unlock growth and leapfrog the limitations of physical infrastructure.

    In that context, Indonesia has become one of the hottest start-up hubs in the world, pocketing around $160.7 million in investment. The Indonesian economy is moving steadily to further digitalization, as Indonesian internet users are expected to jump from a current 92 million to 215 million in 2020. In Africa, at the same time, penetration of internet is expected to hit at least the 50 per cent mark in 2020 from only 2 per cent in 2010

    On technical cooperation, the panels will highlight the principle that Indonesia’s engagement with Africa does not merely focus on the economic benefit, but also intends to establish a true partnership for mutual progress.

    Other speakers at the forum are the Chief Executive Officer PT TIMAH, Mr Mochtar Riza Tabrani, and President Director PT Wika, Mr Bintang Perbowo.

    NAN

  • Native doctors forced to revoke curses on trafficked victims

    Native doctors forced to revoke curses on trafficked victims

     

    Reprieve appeared to have come the way of victim’s of human trafficking in Edo State as native doctors in the state were on Friday forced to revoke oaths and curses placed on them.

    Many victims of human trafficking are usually made to swear to oaths and some of their body parts collected as collateral to make them pay back the money used to sponsor them.

    But the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, forced the native doctors to revoke the curses and oaths placed on the trafficked victims.

    The Benin Monarch declared that the trafficked victims were now free from their traffickers and whatever oaths they were placed on.

    Oba Ewuare II also placed a curse in human traffickers and those aiding and abetting human trafficking in the state.

    He cursed the native doctors who subject victims to oath of secrecies, violators of the order banning Community Development Associations and others whose business is to initiate the sons and daughters of the land into various cult groups.

    Those who took part in the swearing exercise were priests from various shrines in the state such as the Ohen Okhuae, Ohen Ovia, Ohen noriyekeogba, Ohen Ake, Ohen Niwuo, Native Doctors, Ohen Sango,  Odionwere, Iwueki and the  Enigies.

    Oba Ewuare II warned those aiding and abetting human trafficking through the use of black magic and subjecting them to the oath of secrecies to desist from the act or face the wrath of the gods.

    He declared that those under oath of secrecies have been set free and at liberty to air their views as well as reveal their sponsors without fear of any harm from their sponsors.

    The Benin Monarch stated the interest of the palace was to work for the development and progress of the state and urged all his subjects to work towards that direction by doing what is right.

    His words, “You native doctors whose business are to subject people to the oath of secrecies and encouraging this evil act on the land, you have to repent, stop doing it. This is not a joking matter and if you do not repent, you have to wait for the repercussion”, he said.

    “The palace is not against those practicing the act of native doctors but those who use it to perpetrate evil in the land through aiding and abetting human trafficking in the state.

    “We want to use this medium to tell those who are under any oaths of secrecies that they are now free. We revoke the oath today.

    “What the Palace stands for is peace and the development of the state. I want to use this medium to tell you that the act of using charms to aid trafficking, the palace seriously frowns at it.

    “We want us to join hands together to fight against human trafficking in the land”, he said.

    He said there have been positive reports about Edo State and that such positive report must be sustained.

    The Oba said the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has pleaded with him to help reduce the spate of human trafficking in the state adding that before now, he has been in the vanguard against human trafficking in the state.

  • Herdsmen: Oba Ewuare II holds Special Security meeting

    Herdsmen: Oba Ewuare II holds Special Security meeting

    The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has convened a special security meeting to help tackle herdsmen menace, kidnapping, human trafficking and illegal migration.

    Part of the decision reached at the meeting was the need to set up a task force at each of the three senatorial districts as well as forming monitoring units at both the local and state levels to check the activities of herdsmen and other criminal activities.

    It was also agreed at the meeting that a committee headed by the Commissioner of Police should be set up to help develop a template that would be used by the State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in achieving the desired peace and tranquillity in the state.

    Various security agents present at the meeting agreed to implement the decisions reached it it would bring peace and tranquillity to the state.

    The security agents however requested for adequate logistics to enable them tackle security challenges in the state.

    They also demanded for the provision of enough vehicles and communication equipment to enable them respond to emergency or distress calls.

    Village heads were requested to provide security agents with useful information that would enable them track down these criminal elements in the society.

    The Benin Monarch told the gathering that the purpose of the meeting was to hear from the security agencies on the way out of the security challenges in the state.

    Oba Ewuare II who expressed worries over crimes rates disclosed that he started putting plans together since 2015 on how to tackle the problems.‎

    He assured security chiefs present at the meeting that required logistic requested to ensure effective security of the state would be communicated to the State Government for immediate action.

    Leaders of the Hausa, Fulani and Nupe communities in Edo State who spoke separately blamed cattle dealers for security problem and stressed the need for concerted efforts to ensure that herdsmen who destroy farms were made to pay for them.

    They promised to hold meetings with village heads in the various local governments to sensitize them on how to handle the issue of cattle herdsmen.

    The meeting was attended by the various heads of security agencies in the state including the Police, the Army, the Directorate of State Security, the immigration, Prisons and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp.

     

  • Oba donates N500,000, cow, rice to journalists

    Oba donates N500,000, cow, rice to journalists

    Oba Ewuare II of Benin has donated N500,000, cow, and two bags of rice to Edo chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to celebrate the New year.

    The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Oba Ewuare, Mr Desmond Agbama, said the money was to buy other items to celebrate new year party for all the journalists in the state.

    According to him, “The kind gesture has always be the tradition of Oba of Benin and it symbolised the relationship between father and children.

    “Oba of Benin wishes you all a happy new year and also prayed for God blessings for all.”

    Agbama, however, commended the journalists for their reportage, adding that the Oba urged them to maintain peace at all times in their dealings.

    Responding, the state Chairman of NUJ, Mr Roland Osakwe, thanked the Oba of Benin for his fatherly role.

    Osakwe said: “Oba is our patron and our father. He has not relented in his fatherly love.

    “I appreciate Oba of Benin, our father; on behalf of all journalists in the state, we love you.”

  • University education a tool for promoting nation’s image- Oba Ewuare

    University education a tool for promoting nation’s image- Oba Ewuare

    The Paramount ruler of the Benin Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba N’Edo Ewuare II has described University education as a veritable ‎tool through which knowledge is acquired to promote the image of the country through research.

    ‎According to the Benin Monarch” University education is an avenue to prepare the future generations for knowledge and information as source of power”, noting that all can only be achieved through the university system.

    Oba Ewuare made the remark Wednesday in Sokoto while on a visit to the Sokoto state University shortly before he departed the seat of the caliphate.

    He noted that ‎establishing the state University would go a long way to redefine efforts at bridging the wide gap that existed in the past in the state.

    ‎Besides, the paramount ruler added” it avails students of opportunities to make scholarly research to explore many areas of interests of benefit to humanity.”

    Accordingly, the Oba who expressed excitement with the structures and facilities in the university, assured of his ‎readiness to encourage students from Edo state to take advantage of Sokoto state University to drive and achieve their quest for knolwdege.

    ” I will encourage cultural and other exchange programmes through the University to further forge a more cordial tie to promote unity and peace between the two states.”

    Ewuare had earlier visited the famous Sokoto History Bureau where he was conducted round by the Director General to have first hand information on the cultural heritage and artifacts ‎as a tourist a attraction.

    He described the Bureau as a wonderful initiative with monuments for research.

    Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar who led the Oba to the University requested him to sponsor Benin students to study in the institution.

    ” It further strengthen the bond of heritage and peaceful co-existence”, he pointed out.

    Earlier, ‎Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Sani Muhammad Dangoggo told the visitor that the university was licensed in 2009 by the NUC and began academic activities in 2013/2014 to graduate it’s first of students.

    ” We have 3 faculties, 17 departments and 23 programmes with 16 already accredited.

    ” It has a modern‎ library, labs and 3 research centres with students from across 29 states.”

  • 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.

  • Obaseki’s, Oba Ewuare’s grand plans for agriculture

    The face agriculture in Edo State seems about to change for good, with the grand plans of Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, writes OSAGIE OTABOR

    Since he was crowned the 40th Oba of Benin last year, the Bini monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has not hidden his desire to engage youths in his kingdom and Edo State in productive ventures, such as agriculture. The dreams of Oba Ewaure II appeared to be in tandem with the vision of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Both came to power in the state three weeks apart. Oba Ewuare II was crowned on October 20, last year while Obaseki was sworn into office on November 12, last year. Obaseki’s great-grand father, Chief Agho Obaseki, was in charge of commerce and trade with the white men during the reign of Oba Ovoranmwen.

    In his inaugural address, Oba Ewuare II said he would partner with government to attract domestic and international resources for the establishment of clusters of Agro-based industries in seven local government areas to ensure youth empowerment and economic development.

    To affirm that he was serious about his vision for agricultural revolution, Oba Ewuare II began move to revive all ‘Ugbo-Oba’ (Oba’s farm) in all communities in the seven local government areas in this year’s planting season.

    Speaking during his first official meeting with his people, the monarch expressed disappointment at the way Edo people have lost interest in farming. His angst was also directed at some traditional rulers and community youth leaders who opted to engage in sales of land and other unwholesome activities instead of farming.

    Oba Ewuare II informed the people that produce from the farms would be sold to low income earners at prices lower than prevailing market prices and that his ascension to the throne was a sign of good things to come to the kingdom.

    He said: “Why is it that we no longer do farming activities. Farming used to be our main occupation but nobody wants to go to the farm again. The Oba has land in all the villages and we plan to reintroduce Ugbo Oba (Oba Farms). People will work there and the produce from the farms will be sold at special markets at reduce prices to the poor.

    “A Committee to be set up will ensure that only the poor have access to buy things from the special markets.”

    A visit to some communities revealed that Oba’s parcels of land were being cleared in preparation for cultivation of crops.

    During a visit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to his palace, Oba Ewuare II said agricultural development is the only way for Nigeria to move out of economy recession. The monarch told the ex-president that he was interest in farming.

    Last week, Obaseki inaugurated an ad-hoc committee under the Agriculture Empowerment Initiative to revamp agriculture. The committee headed by Chief Osaro Idah is a product of the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

    The state government is in partnership with Saro AgroSciences, a leading company in the agribusiness space with expertise in crop production and protection and Afrinvest W.A. Ltd, a leading financial advisory service provider in Nigeria and West Africa. The plan is to create between 50,000 and 80,000 agricultural jobs in five local government areas.

    The key areas the committee is expected to focus on include cultivation of 5,000 hectares of maize, 10 000 hectares of green house for vegetables and tomatoes, 4000 hectares of piggery as well as provide support to 3000 cocoa farmers to improve their yields for this season

    Obaseki said: “We want to ensure that we begin some agricultural activities before the next cropping season. We want to cultivate 5,000 hectares of maize located in five local government areas of the state producing at least 25,000 metric tons of maize in the first year.”

    There will be another 1,000 Greenhouse Farm producing 4,000 metric tons of tomatoes yearly, piggery producing 30,000 animals annually and the Golden Cocoa Programme primed to turn the state into a major cocoa producing state by improving yield by more than 50 per cent in the first year of implementation.

    Obaseki explained that the partnership would generate employment for the teeming youth population, create wealth through agricultural activities that will lead to the creation of 2000 millionaire Agripreneurs and ensure food security for the over four million people in the state.

    Other members of the eight-man committee include Oluwole Adeyegbe as Deputy Chairman, Mr. B. S. Kadiri as Secretary, and Dr. Tunde Faturoti, Mr Olumide Ogunedojutimi, Mr Walter Obaseki, Surveyor Godwin Osayande and Mr Victor Ndakauba as members.

    This success of these drives to revamp agriculture in Edo State by the Oba of Benin and the state government will be determined by how many people were employed and reduction of food prices in the state.