The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oba’s Palace.

  • Man stripped for impersonation at Oba’s palace

    Member of the Ibiwe Society, identified as Chief Okoro Iduserem, has been stripped for parading himself as an Enogie (Duke) and using insignia of palace royalty in his car.

    Chief Idusere also wore beads only worn by Enigies and top palace functionaries, which must have been presented to them by the Oba of Benin.

    In a viral video, the palace Ewaise (diviners) and Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, were seen interrogating Chief Idusere. He agreed he was not an Enogie and was not given coral beads by the Oba.

    Idusere was also accused of using the insignia to sell land, settle traditional dispute illegally and pass sensitive information around to people like Murphy Face, who is reputed to using the social media to denigrate the Benin Kingdom and its royalty.

    Read Also: African American tourists visit Oba of Benin

    Chief Idusere, who denied conniving with others to denigrate the palace using various social media platforms, agreed to swear any oath on any altar in the palace. He was heard explaining how he wanted to form the Benin Royal Army since the sect he belonged to is the last line of defence.

    The imposter was later seen on his pants and swearing an oath after a cock was slaughtered.

    It was gathered that Idusere would be arraigned today for violating the Edo State Chieftaincy and Traditional Rulers Laws.

  • Stolen artefacts: Oba of Benin, Obaseki to build world-class Museum

    Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government is working with the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, to build a world-class Royal Museum, to hold stolen artefacts being recovered by the Benin Kingdom.

    Obaseki disclosed this when he hosted Prof. Nicholas Thomas of Cambridge University and Prof. Mrs. Annie Coombes of the University of London, both experts in Benin History, to a dinner, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

    The governor said the state government plans to work with the monarch to build the museum in the Oba’s Palace in Benin City, and counter the arguments of art collectors, who are still in possession of stolen artefacts from the Benin Kingdom and have maintained that the safety of the artifacts is not guaranteed if they are returned to the ancient Kingdom.

    According to Obaseki, “The decision to establish a world-class museum at the Oba’s Palace, one of the safest places in the world, will encourage curators across Europe and in other parts of the world, to be confident and support the advocacy for the safe return of stolen artefacts of Benin Kingdom.”

    He expressed appreciation to Prof. Nicholas Thomas and Prof. Annie Coombes, for their advocacy for the safe return of artefacts of the Benin Kingdom looted during the 1897 invasion.

    He said, “We hope your experience in Benin City will encourage you to sustain the advocacy for the return of our stolen artefacts. When the artefacts are returned, they will assist generations yet unborn to understand who they are, as a people and how they have dominated this environment in the past.”

    In his remarks, Prof. Nicholas Thomas, said his experience in Benin City was exciting as the visit gave him the opportunity to see first-hand, the place where the historic stolen artefacts are fashioned in Igun Street.

    Prof Thomas said, “True knowledge about artworks is not in University museums but lies in the makers, creators, communities where these works are created.” He noted that the advocacy for the safe return of the stolen artefacts of the Benin Kingdom will be sustained until the artworks are safely returned.

    Read Also: We want stolen Benin artefacts returned – Obaseki

     

  • Native Court begins sitting at Oba’s Palace 

    Native Court begins sitting at Oba’s Palace 

    The Benin native Court set up by Oba Ewuare II to ensure quick dispensation of justice over matters affecting individuals, groups and villages has begun sitting at the Ugha-Ozolua inside the Oba’s Palace.

    At yesterday’s sitting presided over by Oba Ewuare II, the petition brought by some women  of Idumenhigie community in Uhuwmonde local government area over unlawful arrest and continued detention of their husbands was read out.

    In the petition, the women alleged that their husbands were arrested and remanded to prison custody following a petition by chairman of community.

    They alleged that their husbands were arrested for opposing against the CDA chairman reign.

    According to the complainants, armed youths invaded the community, shot sporadically and destroyed many properties.

    The women said the  arrested men were fighting against continuous unauthorized sales of land despite the pronouncement by the Oba  prohibiting  of all CDAs activities.

    Village head of the community, Timothy Ahimien confirmed to the Oba that activities of the CDA were still going on despite his effort to stop them.

    Oba Ewuare II in his ruling called for the release of the detained men and ordered all warring factions to appear on today.

  • Oba coronation: More families in trouble for conducting burial ceremonies

    Oba coronation: More families in trouble for conducting burial ceremonies

    Several families who conducted burial ceremonies during the period of the coronation events of Oba Ewuare II have ran into trouble as they have been summoned to the Oba’s Palace.

     

    Last Saturday, some family members of Uhunoma in Uhunmwode local government were arrested at the burial ceremony of their father.

     

    A sacred leave ‘Umehen’ was tied to the canopies, food and drinks while the ceremony ended abruptly.

     

    Palace sources told our reporter that other families who conducted burial ceremonies have reported at the Palace to perform the necessary sacrifice.

     

    The ongoing performance of Ekassa Dance was said to have made the defaulters report at the Oba’s palace to avert any calamity.

     

    However, a press statement signed by the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, said the prohibition of funeral activities was still in place especially during the period of Ekassa performance.

     

    The statement said the post coronation ceremonies of Oba Ewuare II were still going on till December 31st 2016 with Ekassa Dance except the Oba directs it ends earlier.