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| The new Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Eheneden Erediauwa at his coronation ceremony in Benin on Thursday |
*Buhari, Oshiomhole hails new King
*Benin agog after announcement of a new King
HISTORY was made Thursday October 20,
2016 in Benin Kingdom, as the 40th Oba in the Oronminya dynasty was
crowned.
He is Oba Ewuare 11. An announcement
which elicited a thunderous ovation in the entire Benin Kingdom after
it was announced by the Oliha of Benin Kingdom, Chief Edionwe Oliha
at about 5:10pm.
President Muhammadu Buhari who was
represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo described late
Omo N’Oba, Erediauwa who had worked with him as Permanent Secretary
when he was Minister of Petroleum as one of the finest and refined
Nigerians.
The entire city was brought to a
standstill as governors, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional
rulers across the country, National and state Assembly members,
Ministers, Ambassadors, representatives from Foreign and African
countries and so many others.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole led his
colleagues such as Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe),Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo),
Rauf Arigbesola (Osun), Deputy governor of Imo state and that of Edo
state, Dr Pius Odubu.
Some of the traditional rulers at the
epoch making ceremony includes Alhaji Saad Abubakar 11, Sultan of
Sokoto, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Ooni of Ife, Obi of Onitsha, Olu
of Warri, Orodje of Okpe, Otaru of Auchi, Alafin of Oyo, Obong of
Calabar, King Jaja of Opobo, Etsu Nupe, Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom among
others.
National chairman of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Governor elect
of Edo state, Mr Godwin Obaseki and his wife, two time former
governor of old Bendel state, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, former governor of
Edo state, Prof.Osarhiemien Osunbor, Minister of state for Heath, Dr
Osagie Ehanire, Minister of state for Agriculture, Heineken
Lokpobiri, Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, Gen.Godwin
Abbe.
African richest man, Alhaji Aliko
Dangote, Captain Hosa Okunbor led other captains of industries to the
event. The Queen of England and Queen of Sweden were represented by
their Ambassadors in Nigeria. Representative of Italian government,
Norway, Angola, Denmark, Zulu King, and several other kings in Africa
were represented.
At Usama palace where the Oba spent
seven days performing several rituals and ceremonies, different
traditional troops, king makers in the kingdom were there as early as
6am. People waited patiently to see the new king who was actually
crowned Wednesday midnight by the Oliha of Benin Kingdom, Chief
Edionwe Oliha.
Oba Ewuare 11, left Usama palace which
was built by Oba Eweka 1, before it was moved to its present site by
Oba Ewedo in the 13th century, on foot at exactly 12:50pm accompanied
by Benin warriors called Isemienro, palace chiefs and thousands of
Benin citizens and visitors.
The Oba crossed the Omi River bridge in
reminiscent of Oba Ewedo’s vow not to step into Isekhere territory
on bare foot. Shortly after crossing the bridge, there was a ceremony
and rituals performed in the bridge. He thereafter passed through
Ulague street through Ebo street, from where he arrived at Urhokpota
hall venue of the coronation ceremony at exactly 3:25pm.
Before his arrival at Urkpota hall, his
three Queens were already seated along with other dignitaries
including Vice-President Osinbajo and the host governor, Comrade
Oshiomhole to receive him. The entire environment around the
Kingsquare, and Urhokpota hall and adjoining streets were electrified
as people surged forward to cast a glim of the new Oba.
Several dancing troupes including the
famous Ekassa dance which is performed when an Oba is being
coroneted, were there to add glamour to the momentous occasion with
their spiritual dance.
An hour before the arrival of the new
Oba, an advance team of palace chiefs and warriors arrived the
Urhokpota hall to set the stage ready for the Oba.
The adjacent Benin museum Ground, Oba
market road, Mission road and Airport road were filled to its
capacity by people who came for the ceremony. It took security
personnel on ground hectic moments to control the surging crowd.
President Buhari in his speech,
congratulated Oshiomhole for having the opportunity to hand over the
staff of office to the new Oba whom he described as a foremost
diplomat and an epitome of tradition.
“we are gratified that your
meritorious service as Nigerian Ambassador to various nations and
your work in the oil and gas sector stand you in a good stead to
fulfil this obligation which your ancestors have given to you. most
of those who know you have express optimism that you will discharge
this responsibility with great wisdom.
“On behalf of the President of this
great nation. I congratulate you on this momentous and historic event
and assure you of our full support, especially for your programmes,
for youth employment which your Royal Majesty has set out to
achieve”. He further showered prayers on the new Oba and prayed God
Almighty to give him a successful reign in the throne.
Speaking, Governor Oshiomhole who
presented the staff of office to the new Oba, recalled his
relationship with late Oba Erediauwa whom he described as a father
who will be missed by all. According to him, “ Oba Erediauwa will
be remembered as a King who intervened in the state government’s
effort to develop the state particularly the six lane Airport road
where he directed the state House of Assembly to give their support
so that the project will be a reality.
Adding that “ that intervention by
the late Oba made a difference. And we are lucky that the new Oba was
mentored by his father this quality he has displayed as Edaiken
N’Uselu. He served as Ambassador to several nations and we pray to
God and our ancestors the wisdom to govern your people.
“I have benefited enormously from
your wisdom even before I became governor and I I join millions of
Nigerians and others who came from far and near to congratulate you
and we pray to God and our ancestors to grant you the wisdom you need
to succeed as Oba of this great Kingdom.
“I want to reassure you that even
when I leave office in few days time, I will give my all and I know
the in-coming governor, Godwin Obaseki will do better than me both in
respect for the tradition and development of the state” he stated.
On his way to Urhokpota, the Oba will
pass through Isekhere, performed some ceremony at Iwehen street under
the watch of Ewaise N' Iwehen and proceeded to cross the bridge.
Addressing the crowd, Oba Ewuare 11,
who urged the crowd to observe a minute silence in honour of his late
parents, admitted that as heir apparent to the throne, he benefited
immensely from his father’s wisdom. He also announced that the
mother should henceforth be addressed as Queen mother which he said
the ceremony will be announced later.
“During my father’s reign, the
palace was a home for all despite your religions or ethnic
background, for all who needed guidance and assistance. Traditional
rulers from far and near consulted him on several issues and he
ensured that he advised them accordingly. He was a good father to all
of us all. As the custodian of our culture and tradition, he was open
to new ideas and respects new innovations”.
Oba Ewuare 11 who explained why he
should be regarded as the 40th Oba of Benin contrary to the believe
that he is the 39th Oba, said “there may be some different views
about the origin of some of our ancestors but there is unanimity in
the shared heritage between the people of Benin and Ile Ife in
identifying Oduduwa as a fore bear of kingship in parts of Africa and
Nigeria of today.
“Historians all agreed that Oduduwa
sent his son Oranmiyan as requested by elders of Benin to return with
them as ruler of their realm. Oranmiyan stayed in Benin, but his stay
was short. But by the time he left he had a son known today as Eweka
1st. Oranmiyan’s time in Benin however shortlived, he was an Oba.
So he was the first Oba after the Ogiso dynasty, he established
Obaship in Benin therefore the listing of past Oab should therefore
start from Oranmiyan as it is listed.
“This actually made my late father
the 39th Oba of Benin while I am the 40th Oba of Benin”. The new
Oba said he will pay due attention as well as security and well being
of the people. “we shall strive to ensure equity and justice, use
cultural diplomacy as a vehicle to maintain relationship with our
neighbours. We will ensure our people use Benin language as a
vehicle of communication and also teach our children the language.
He further appealed to Benin people to
uphold the tradition and culture at all times just as he appealed to
the state government to include the teaching of Benin language and
history to the school curriculum.
He however expressed concern over the
poverty of the people at the grass roots which he traced to lack of
unemployment for the youths and appealed to government at all levels
to change the trend. The Oba who unveiled his royal crest also
established Oba Erediauwa annual lecture series worth N10million as
price for well researched material in Benin history and language.
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