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Tag: Oba of Benin

  • I did not authorise manhandling of Obaseki, says Oba of Benin

    I did not authorise manhandling of Obaseki, says Oba of Benin

    The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has said that he never authorised the manhandling of a former Managing Director of Daar Communication, Dr. Pedro Obaseki.

    Oba Ewuare II said he remained a father of all.

    The former Daar Communication boss was, last Sunday, abducted where he was playing football by suspected thugs.

    He was beaten, stripped naked and paraded through the streets of Benin City on allegation of being an ‘Oghionba’ (enemy of the Oba).

    Obaseki was taken to the Oba’s Palace from where he was taken to the police station.

    But the Benin monarch, who spoke in a statement signed by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, advised youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation.  

    According to the statement, “The Benin Traditional Council use this medium to inform the general public that the unfortunate incidence in which Pedro Obaseki was manhandled was not authorized by the Oba of Benin. And it cannot be authorized because it is not in the character of our revered monarch to do so. The Oba of Benin is a peace-loving father to all.

    “The Benin Traditional Council also wish to advice our youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation. They should always respect the laws of the land in all actions and utterances and allow appropriate Security Agencies handle all matters.

    “Social media users should equally endeavour to cross-check information appropriately before posting.”

  • Oba of Benin suspends Ovia Shrine Chief Priest

    Oba of Benin suspends Ovia Shrine Chief Priest

    The Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku-Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II M, has suspended Chief Priest of Uviamen village, Chief Sunday Sidney Enoma, in Ovia North East local government Area.

    Chief Enoma was the Ohen-Ovia (Chief Priest) of Unuamen.

    He was suspended for violating the custom and traditional of Benin Kingdom.

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    The suspension of Chief Enoma was contained in press statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to Oba Ewuare II, Osaigbovo Iguobaro.

    The statement said the Oba of Benin reaffirmed Chief Kingsley Igbinosa at the Okao (traditional head) of Unuamen Village.

    It said the suspended Chief Priest lacked the powers to install the Okao of the village.

    The statement said all Chieftaincy titles in Benin kingdom were conferred by the Oba of Benin.

  • Oba of Benin bars funeral rites during Igue festival

    Oba of Benin bars funeral rites during Igue festival

    The Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has barred funeral rites in the kingdom during the celebration of Ugie festival.

    Ugie festival, according to Secretary, Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, will commence on December 14, with the Ugierhoba rite.

    The statement said the barring of funeral rites was in line with the ancient tradition.

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    It said the Otue Igue Oba ceremony would hold on December 16, followed by the Ugie-Emobo traditional rite.

    The statement said the festival would climax with a worship by the Oba of Benin at the Holy Aruosa Cathedral.

  • We’re not fighting Oba of Benin, says MOWAA

    We’re not fighting Oba of Benin, says MOWAA

    The Musuem of West African Art (MOWAA) has said it was not in any form of contestation with the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.

    It said it never encroached on the jurisdiction of the Benin monarch.

    Counsel for MOWAA, Olayiwola Afolabi, spoke in Benin City after hearing of the suit filed by Chief Osaro Idah (the Obazelu of Benin Kingdom), the Ogbakha-Edo and the Aiguobasimwin Movement.

    The suit is asking the court to halt what the claimants described as an unlawful, provocative and destabilising attempt to undermine the Oba of Benin’s sacred authority.

    He said the defendants filed a preliminary objection wherein it was argued that Chief Idah lacked the locus standi to institute the case.

    Afolabi said a counter affidavit was filed by MOWAA that ‘’it is not fighting the Oba of Benin.’’

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    According to him, “nobody is fighting the Oba. We have our jurisdiction. We are not encroaching on the jurisdiction of the Oba.

    “In view of the nature of the matter and the thinking that it will affect the interest of the Benin and everybody, the lawyers agree that we meet and see possibilities of ironing out some of the issues and resolve them if need be. We agree to come back in February.’’

    On the refusal of MOWAA to appear before Edo Assembly Investigative Committee, Afolabi said the court’s decision superceded any recommendations by the Assembly.

    “The law is clear. MOWAA has been sued by one of the parties also in the Assembly. There is no need to go to the Assembly Committee. There are separations of powers. Whatever they do, it is the court that will still sanction. If a case is in court, the Assembly cannot sit over it.

    We attach the processes and serve them. House of Assembly is not a court of law. Having been aware that the Federal High Court is hearing the case, can the same Assembly that have lawyers to advise them still say they want to continue with the hearing?

    “My client cannot appear before the Assembly.

    “They can give their verdict. Whatever they give is still subject to the court. They can only give recommendations at best.

    “It is better the matter is resolved amicably. There is no need for war in Edo over MOWAA. It is for the benefit of everybody. It is a multi-dollar project. This is why we should meet and resolve grey areas.”

  • I did not scam Oba of Benin on MOWAA project, says Obaseki

    I did not scam Oba of Benin on MOWAA project, says Obaseki

    The immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has dismissed allegations that he defrauded the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, in relation to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.

    Obaseki clarified that he was neither a trustee of MOWAA nor involved in any fundraising activities on its behalf.

    According to him, he never intended to build a museum personally but sought to create an enabling environment for Edo State to generate revenue through culture and creative arts.

    Speaking in an interview monitored by our correspondent, the former governor said the Benin Royal Museum was conceived as part of a broader plan to develop a cultural district, which would also include the MOWAA Institute.

    He added that he had proposed the establishment of a Trust comprising the Benin Palace, the federal government, and the state government to ensure a unified voice and coordinated effort for the cultural district project.

    According to him, “You mean the donors will not read about who they want to give money to, or they will not understand the purpose. I cannot speak for MOWAA because I didn’t go with them to raise money. When they asked for our support, we gave them.

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    “There is a plan for a cultural district for the Benin Master plan. There was supposed to be a plan that would redefine the city centre. You had the MOWAA Institute, the Rain Forest Gallery, the 1897 memorial, the National Museum, and the Royal Museum. All these things have been planned for. The Oba told me has acquired land for the purpose, and we said we will support the project and any activity that promotes Edo as a cultural hub.

    “As far as I am concerned, I am not a trustee of MOWAA. My role as Governor is to support institutions. Whether it is EMOWAA or MOWAA, what is Mr Business about that? Is it my own? That is their decision. The important thing is the objective, and we gave support as a government.

    Narrating what transpired with the Benin Monarch, Obaseki said, “The roles of the Edo State government under my watch are clear. We did things in the way we do in a certain way. Building museums was not a priority of the state government. I cannot take the money I want to use to build schools to go and build museums. What I will do is to use that money to create an enabling environment and allow people who know how to build museums. I will collaborate with them to build museums.

    “MOWAA has raised over €80m. Does Edo State have that kind of money? I will not use that money for the museum. I will support the initiative. Give them land, an enabling environment, and funds.

    “We carried the palace along. We told the palace that we will have more say if we have something that represents the federal government, the state government, and the Palace. I said we should set up a trust of the National Museum, the Palace, the foreign museum, and the state government. That was what we started with. I nominated the Crown Prince, gave him a letter, he took it to his father, and the father gave him his blessings. We set up a non-charitable trust. The foreigners need someone they can see through. Let the Crown Prince represent the Trustee from the Palace, and there was no objection. At a certain point, there was misinformation. We went to Germany, and that was where the whole thing went south. I don’t know what happened internally, and the Monarch was not happy. The Palace then withdrew from the Trust. I said ok. He said he wants to have his own Royal Museum, and we said we will support. I understand the Oba acquired land opposite the palace.

    “MOWAA is not my own, just like many of the things we invested in are not mine, but as long as it brings investment to Edo State and grows the economy of the state, it is incumbent to support MOWAA. Government money cannot develop a state.

    “How many states can attract that kind of investment in MOWAA today? With that investment being there, see how much that would have come to Edo over that weekend. We can have another economy that is not dependent on oil revenue. The money to be received will be local revenue. This is one thing that could lead to tourism revenue. Look at the injection into the economy, and the original capital is not Edo money. We should have advanced beyond where we are now. It is unreasonable for any Edo man to justify what happened that weekend.”

  • President greets Oba of Benin on ninth coronation anniversary

    President greets Oba of Benin on ninth coronation anniversary

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, on the ninth anniversary of his ascension to the ancient throne of his forebears.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President joined the government and people of Edo State, the Benin Traditional Council, and the royal family in celebrating the revered monarch, whose reign, he said, has been marked by “unrelenting service to his domain and the nation”.

    President Tinubu hailed Oba Ewuare II for his steadfast commitment to promoting peace, unity, and social harmony in Edo and beyond.

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    He particularly lauded the monarch’s role in confronting social vices, such as human trafficking and illegal migration, describing his advocacy as vital in safeguarding the nation’s youth.

    The President also praised the royal father’s enduring campaign for a cultural renaissance and the preservation of traditional values, noting his leadership in efforts to secure the repatriation of stolen Benin artefacts from Western institutions as a symbol of African dignity and heritage restoration.

    “As the Oba of Benin marks nine years on the ancient throne of his ancestors, I salute his unwavering leadership in preserving Benin’s cultural legacy and passing it on to future generations,” President Tinubu stated.

    He prayed God to continue to bless the monarch with long life, good health, and more historic accomplishments in his reign.

  • Edo traditional rulers drop ‘HRH’ appellation

    Edo traditional rulers drop ‘HRH’ appellation

    Traditional rulers in Edo State, especially those in Edo Central senatorial district, have dropped the ‘His Royal Highness’ appellation and adopted ‘His Royal Majesty’.

    Before now, only the Oba of Benin was referred to as ‘His Royal Majesty’ in Edo State.

    There was an outcry when Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, in a statement, referred to the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella as HRM instead of HRH.

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    The adoption of HRM by other traditional rulers is being viewed as an affront to the Oba of Benin.

    Traditional rulers in Edo Central were referred to as HRM when they were introduced to candidates who visited them for a royal blessing.

  • Oba of Benin appoints new community heads under Ologbo Dukedom

    Oba of Benin appoints new community heads under Ologbo Dukedom

    The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has approved the appointment of Pa. John Obasuyi and Pa. Ikpomwonsa Omorodion as Odionwere (village heads) in both Imasabor and Oghobaye communities.

    Both communities are under the Ologbo Dukedom in the Ikpoba-Okha local government area.

    Oba Ewuare II’s decision was passed through Chief Uyi Okungbowa, the Ogua of Benin, to the elders of the two communities at an enlarged meeting at the Oba’s palace.

    Two youth leaders of the communities, Mr. Uhunoma Igbinigie and Mr Omoregie Omoruyi, were affirmed as the Okaigheles.

    The installation ritual of both men as Edionwere was performed at the Ogue’Odion (elders’ chamber) in Ologbo.

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    The Okao Eguae of Ologbo and Ehor Dukedoms, Chief Emmanuel Iyase, who witnessed both installation ceremonies, thanked the Oba of Benin for his disposition to justice and for the restoration of the ancestral rights of the Odionwere of Oghobaye Community, Pa. Ikpomwonsa Omorodion, who was deprived of the privilege to be installed by the suspended Duke of Ologbo Dukedom.

    Speaking in separate interviews, the new Edionwere solicited for the support of elders and prayers to enable them to succeed in the task ahead of them.

  • Oba of Benin restores Oke-Oroma statutory rights

    Oba of Benin restores Oke-Oroma statutory rights

    The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II has restored the statutory rights and independence status of Oke-Oroma community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

    Oba Ewuare II ruled that Amagba Adolor and Oke-Oroma villages were separate entities.

    Several buildings in Oke-Oroma have been destroyed and many persons killed in many years of conflict with neighbouring Amagba Adolor village.

    Following the continued crisis despite intervention by the Benin Monarch, Elders of Oke-Oroma vowed to pursue peace even as they commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for for upholding the decision of the Benin monarch.

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    They said they would not toe the path of those they termed aggressors.

    An elder in Oke-Oroma, Mr Osahon Eghaghe Emokpae, said they would ensure that the decision of Oba Ewuare II is obeyed despite insistence of of certain individuals from neighbouring villages to flout the decision.

    He wondered why their aggressors would move from Oredo Local Government and encroached on their land in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, in a bid to grab their ancestral land, having understood that nature (Oroma river).

    “This river (Oroma) stretches across to Oghoghobi Community in Sapele road from this point since creation. This river separated Amagba and Obazagbon Communities both in Oredo LGA from Oke-Oroma and Obagie N’ Evbuosa Communities in Ikpoba-Okha LGA,” he stated. 

    Pa. Edosomwan Ekenomaighele said the conflict in Oke-Oroma was fueled by merchants of violence and land grabbers in their neighborhood.

    He said their children and loved ones who fled their homes during the period of hostility were settling down in peace and redefining their lives.

    Pa. Omozuhiomwen Aiguobatile, the Odionwere of Obagie N’evbuosa, warned against forceful attempts by certain actors in the conflict to scuttle the existing peace move by the Oba of Benin and the Governor in the interest of peace and justice.

  • Oba of Benin proclaims five chieftaincy titles

    Oba of Benin proclaims five chieftaincy titles

    The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has proclaimed five chieftaincy titles, marking the beginning of a new dawn in Benin.

    Oba Ewuare II also appointed Pa Billi Ehigiator to handle traditional functions in Abudu Community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area on behalf of the Benin Palace.

    Pa Ehigiator is to serve pending final resolution of the dispute over the Odionwere (community head) by the Oba.

    The Ogua of Benin, Chief Uyi Okungbowa, passed the decision of the Benin monarch’s decision when elders of Abudu protested to the Oba palace over alleged misconduct by one of the elders of the community simply identified as Mr Izekor.

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    The protesting elders were cautioned to live in peace.

    In proclaiming the five Chieftaincy, Oba Ewuare II named Chief Aiyagbonrule Ugheneze as the Osamagiedode of Benin title, while Chief Friday Obaze, was bestowed the Enoha of Benin.

    Chief Igie Omoragbon was awarded the title of Chief Obasenaga of Benin. Chief Ebose Osayomwanbor, was honoured with the Osogua of Benin title, while Chief Efosa Igbinomwanhia was blessed with the Obamedo of Benin Kingdom, Benin title,

    During the Ekpomwanbor traditional rite held at the Oba Palace in Benin, Oba Ewuare II, blessed his newly enlisted disciples who took turn to pay homage to the royal parsonage in excitement during the traditional rite.