OMON N’OBA Ne Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Erediauwa has joined
his ancestors. He was the 38th Oba of Benin Kingdom. A terse
announcement yesterday in Benin by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom
(the Traditional Prime Minister), Chief Sam Igbe who spoke in Bini
dialect said, “OSORHUE BUNRUN; Oba Erediauwa of Benin
Kingdom, the Prince of Peace, Ebo, Ayemwirhe, Emimi Mini Mini,
has re-united with his ancestors. May he find perfect peace with
God.”
Shortly after the traditional breaking of the symbolic white chalk
(Osorhue) by the Iyase at the Urho Ozolua Shrine within the Palace
in the presence of other Palace chiefs, journalists and the Bini
people, the chiefs and those present wept openly in mourning the
passing on of one of the foremost traditional rulers in Nigeria.
The Iyase also announced that all Bini males were expected to
shave their heads, all markets closed and all Palace chiefs to wear
only one bead around their necks.
Traditional rulers from the seven local government areas that make
up the present Benin Kingdom, Palace chiefs of different grades
and societies, indigenes of Benin Kingdom, women, members of the
Benin Royal Family as well journalists had gathered at the Palace
as early as 10am when it was learnt that an important meeting
would take place at the Palace.
Before the announcement, there were concerns among the people
about the motive of the convergence which had virtually every class
of the Benin Kingdom in attendance and the atmosphere at the
Palace ground was tense
It was learnt that at the meeting earlier in the day, the news of the
passing on to glory of the Oba was first broken to the Crown Prince,
HRH (Ambassador) Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N’Uselu and
members of the Benin Royal Family before the Iyase of Benin, Chief
Sam Igbe formally announced it to the people of Benin Kingdom
and the world as demanded by Bini custom.
A Palace chief, Omon Osagie Utetenegiabi, the Obadolagbonyi of
Benin Kingdom, while reacting to the passage of Oba Erediauwa
said, “It is customary that when a sitting Oba becomes an ancestor
by translating to a greater glory, the news is first broken to his
eldest son and the immediate family which was done earlier
today. “And the Iyase of Benin, as the highest ranking chief, then
breaks the news to the people of Benin Kingdom and the world.
“Iyase is the traditional Prime Minister and the bridge between the
people and the royalty and that is what he has done today. From
today until the expiration of ‘Emwinekhua’, all Benin chiefs that
have been entitled by the Oba to wear the two round beads round
their necks, will now wear one. It is customary because when you
see a chief wears one bead, it shows that we are a state of
mourning.
“After today, we are awaiting further instructions on what to do. But
the Oba of Benin does not die because he is an institution; he
mainly translates to a high glory as an ancestor”, he said.
He described Oba Erediauwa as an Oba of Peace, the Oba who
brought prosperity to his people, who understood his people, adding
that the late Oba made sure that no one was offended just as he
was an Oba who could sit in judgment and give judgment against
his own son for a commoner. “It is rare. Oba Erediauwa is the best
that has happened to Benin Kingdom in the last 1,600 years”, he
said.
Life and times of Oba Erediauwa
The Leopard left for the forest at the heat of the campaigns for the
2015 general elections. Born in 1923 to Oba Akenzua 11, he was
crowned the 38th Oba of Benin on March 23, 1979. Prior to his
ascension to the throne, he was Prince Solomon Igbinoghodua
Aisiokuoba Akenzua. As tradition requires, he relinquished his name
Solomon immediately he became Oba. He attended Government
College Ibadan (939–1945), then Yaba College before he proceeded
to King’s College, Cambridge to study law and administration.
He joined the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service in 1957 as a District
Officer, later moved to the Federal Civil Service where he retired as
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in 1973. For a short period
he was the regional representative of Gulf Oil. In 1975 he was
appointed Commissioner for Finance in the then Bendel State during
the military administration of Major-General George Agbazika
Innih. Ascending the throne on 23 March 1979, he celebrated his
30th anniversary in 2009.
How he ruled the Kingdom
During his reign, Oba Erediauwa was known to be a peacemaker, a
great diplomat who rarely spoke, dogged and uncompromising when
it came to issues that affects the lives of Nigerians. For instance,
when late General Sanni Abacha coerced most of the first class
traditional rulers in the country to back his attempted transition to
a civilian president, Oba Erediauwa was one of the few traditional
rulers who remained resolute in their belief that the military should
go so that the nation could enthrone democracy.
He received pressures from Abuja, he was even threatened as
Saturday Vanguard learnt, but the monarch declared he would not
support such satanic move. When he spoke, his words were law. As
a result, he commanded the respect of any political leader.
In March 2004, there was serious crisis between the then Governor
of Abia State, Dr Orji Ozor Kalu and former Chairman Board of
Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih. After the crisis which drew
the attention of many Nigerians, the former Governor explained to
journalists when he visited his counterpart in Edo State, Chief Lucky
Igbinedion, that he decided to sheath the sword when His Royal
Majesty told him to stop. According to him, “the Oba is our father;
he told me to stop the war of words and resolve the matter. Who
am I when our Royal Father has spoken? I had to stop my war with
Chief Anenih, who is a respected party leader.”
In order to administer justice and ensure effectiveness in the
administration of the Kingdom, he created dukedom in the seven
Local Government Councils in the Edo South Senatorial District
which is made up of the Binis. He decided to install his younger
ones as Enogie of each dukedom to help administer the kingdom
effectively. It was the first of its kind. He equally achieved peace in
the kingdom through the revival of most Benin cultures and
traditions which were fast eroding before his ascension as Oba.
One of such festivals is the Ugie-Ewere Festival which is celebrated
annually to herald the beginning of every New Year in the Kingdom.
The Benin traditional worship center known as the Holy Aruosa was
strengthened during his reign. Traditional courts were set up in the
Kingdom to settle rifts such as chieftaincy and land disputes in
communities. Once judgment was pronounced by the palace, it
became final. Anyone who decided to head to the normal courts,
would be fighting the Oba’s authority.
His reign as Oba witnessed drastic reduction if not total eradication
of ritual killings in the Kingdom. And he was able to achieve this
through spiritual curses invoked upon such perpetrators. These
curses were administered by the Esogban of Benin, Chief David
Edebiri, who is the Odionwere of Benin Kingdom, in collaboration
with some other powerful palace chiefs in the Kingdom.
It will be recalled that in the late 90s, there were incessant
accidents at the Ikpoba Hill River in Benin City, and the Binis were
asked to pray against wicked spirits while the Oba deployed some
of his powerful chiefs to consult the gods and find solution to the
problem. Ever since then, the bridge has been peaceful and that
ended the losing of innocent souls on that bridge.
Some artefacts that were stolen during the invasion of Benin
Kingdom in 1897 were recovered during his reign. Tourism was
also boosted following the influx of foreigners who comes to
witness the annual Igue Festival. He was Chairman of Benin
Traditional Council throughout his reign and it was used to foster
unity among traditional rulers in Nigeria and Edo State in
particular.
His influence in politics cannot be underestimated because his
words were laws as far as the Bini Kingdom were concerned. In
1991 it was said that a message from the palace gave victory to
the SDP governorship candidate, Chief John Odigie Oyegun who ran
the governorship against Lucky Igbinedion, son of the Esama of
Benin.
Following the controversy that trailed that election and the seeming
support the monarch gave to Chief Oyegun, the Oba was subpoena
at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal to the chagrin of the
Binis. Hell was let lose when the Binis saw the Royal Father
trekking to the tribunal. They stormed the streets in protest to
condemn the tribunal and the Esama of Benin who is one of the
powerful chiefs of the Oba.
The Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and his son Lucky,
were declared enemies of the Oba. This was where his problem
with Esama started. It took the intervention of prominent Edo sons
in the Christendom like Rev. Father Theophilus Uwaifo, Okhiaya-
Inneh (SAN) to plead on behalf of the Esama. The matter was
finally settled when Esama had his 70th birthday. The guest were
all at the Baptist Church waiting when Esama was taken to the
palace to beg the Oba.
In 2007, the Oba of Benin who heard the cries of his people for
change in the governance of the state, backed the entrance of
Governor Adams Oshiomhole into the politics of the state. As a
matter of fact, his tacit support enabled Oshiomhole to carry out
his urban renewal programme in Benin City.
For instance, before the re-construction of the Airport Road to six
lanes, the design required the demolition of part of the palace walls.
And when the Oba was informed, he told the governor that “I will
not be a hindrance to your urban renewal programme in Benin City,
if it means destroying part of my palace to construct the road. Go
on and destroy it; we want development in Benin Kingdom.”
Unknown to the Oba, Oshiomhole betrayed his emotions when he
left the palace that same day. He was overwhelmed with the
humility and the progressive nature of the Oba, particularly when
the opposition PDP created the impression that Oshiomhole who is
from Edo North Senatorial District, wanted to destroy the Benin
cultural heritage. Oba’s humility and support overwhelmed
Oshiomhole who became so emotional as he wept and echoed “God
bless the Oba”.
And in 2012, during the campaigns for the re-election of Governor
Oshiomhole, the Oba did not hide his preference for the former
labour leader. And in Benin Kingdom, the Enigies (Dukes) watch the
body movement of the Oba and they flowed with it. It will be
recalled that when Governor Oshiomhole visited the Oba in 2012 to
inform him of his plans to run for a second term in office, the Oba
directed the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe to pray for the
Governor.
From the prayers which were being said in native Benin language,
the Iyase was not hitting the point as the Oba had wanted. And the
Oba did not hide his feelings, as he interrupted the prayers and
urged the Iyase to say prayers a father would give to his son,
adding that he should give Oshiomhole a special prayer. And after
Iyase’s prayers, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri
took over and prayed to the admiration of the Oba. Esogban
declared after his prayers that the Oracle had spoken and whoever
wanted to doubt the oracle should wait for the consequence.
The support of the Palace and the people of Edo State gave
Oshiomhole victory in the entire 18 Local Government Areas of the
state, a feat no governor had achieved in the country. Because of
the love the Oba has for Oshiomhole, he openly shunned the PDP
delegation led by the then President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011,
when Jonathan visited the state for his presidential campaign. On
that occasion, after waiting for half an hour, only Jonathan was
later ushered into the inner chambers of the Oba where he met with
the Royal Father for about 10minutes. Chief Anenih and other PDP
leaders were locked out.
Benin-Lagos Expressway
Many Nigerians may be enjoying the manageable state of the Benin
Lagos Road today but they don’t know the pressure the Oba of
Benin piled on the Federal Government to fix the road. If there was
one reason for the Oba not to stick out his neck for the PDP-led
Federal Government since 1999, it was due to the state of that
road. The Oba monitored reports both in the print and electronic
media and he never failed to express his disgust for the number of
lives being lost on that road on a daily basis.
He had had cause to summon ministers of works such as the
former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih
and Engr. Chris Ogiemnwonyi who are indigenes of the state over
the state of the Benin-Lagos Road. Saturday Vanguard recalled
when the Oba seriously expressed his feelings to the then Minister
of Works, Mrs. Deziani Allison-Madueke, when he queried why it
was difficult for the Federal Government to fix the Benin-Lagos
Road which is one of the busiest roads in Nigeria. The pressure
continued when Ogiemwonyi, a son of soil, became Minister of
State for Works. And it is that doggedness that Nigerians are
reaping today.
Media parley
Unlike many traditional rulers in the country, the Oba saw the media
as one of his constituencies, therefore he carried them along
throughout his reign. Every quarter, he organized media parley with
journalists in the state where he feted with pounded yam and
drinks. This was one occasion every journalist in Edo looked
forward to because it afforded you the opportunity to mingle with
the monarch who rarely appeared in public.
This forum afforded journalists the opportunity to ask questions
both on state and national issues. And his Majesty’s sense of
humour was unprecedented as he engaged each journalist with
jokes over reports written by that particular journalist. As a matter
of fact, he would recall several reports in the media and jokingly
tell the journalists around that “even if I don’t go out I monitor all
of you through the newspapers, radio and television.”
Any quarter that the media parley did not hold, perhaps due to his
busy schedule and health challenges, the Oba would send his
apologies through the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of
Journalists (NUJ) in the state just as he would back up his
apologies with a cow and some money which he would direct the
NUJ leadership to use to cook for members.
Recovery of stolen artefacts
Sunday, June 22, 2014 was a very remarkable day in Benin
Kingdom. That day the agitation by Oba Erediauwa for the return of
the stolen Benin artefacts by the British in 1897 paid off. Oba
Erediauwa received two precious bronze artefacts looted by the
British during the invasion of Benin Kingdom, from Dr. Andre
Walker. Dr Walker is the great grandson of Captain Philip Walker,
one of the soldiers who invaded Benin Kingdom in 1897 and carted
away their precious artefacts. The Briton said he decided to return
the artefacts because he felt the Benis were unfairly treated by the
British.
Oba Erediauwa while playing host to Dr. Walker at his palace, in a
well attended ceremony, commended what he described as his
courage and tenacious desire to return the artworks that were
looted by his grandfather, Captain Philips. Governor Adams
Oshiomhole who, on that occasion described Dr. Walker as an
honest man, called on the British Government and individuals to
emulate Dr. Walker by returning such artworks which were stolen
from the Kingdom.
In his speech, Dr. Walker said he returned the artefacts voluntarily,
and assured that he would encourage others who may have some
of the stolen artefacts in their homes in Britain to return them to
Nigeria. This is one of the greatest achievements of the Leopard
before he embarked on a trip to the savanna forest.
Prominent Nigerians react
Some prominent Nigerians have reacted to the passing on of the
Benin Monarch. The reactions have been expectedly expressive of
the deep loss of one of the most respected traditional rulers in the
history of Nigeria.
Oba Erediawa was a rare gem – Dogara
In condoling with the people of the Bini Kingdom over the transition,
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in a
statement signed by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan, noted that the
late Oba’s legacy of peace would continue to make impact in the
Edo nation and the entire country for generations to come.
“The Edo nation will always remember the late revered monarch as
a royal father who loved peace and mediated disputes with
fairness. Nigeria has indeed lost a dependable royalty and jewel of
peace”, the Speaker lamented.
Our hearts are heavy – Oshiomhole
In his reaction, the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole mourned the royal passage with the following words:
“Our hearts are heavy, laden with pains and grief, at the
announcement of the passing on to glory of Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku
Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa of Benin, our highly revered Oba, a
distinguished Edo numero uno, an accomplished Nigerian, a
seasoned bureaucrat, quintessential unifier, unique personage and
exemplary Omo N’Oba, whose reign brought distinction, immense
class, finesse and integrity to traditional institutions in Edo State
and the country at large.”
He concluded: “Edo people will miss our iconoclastic Royal Father
of the great Benin Kingdom. Nigerians and Nigeria will miss this
great exemplar of a Royal Father, an Oba of distinction and
integrity. Adieu until we meet to part no more.
“Oba gha to kpere, ise.”
He was a man of history – Uduaghan
In his response, the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr.
Emmanuel Uduaghan expressed deep sadness, and described the
Monarch as “a man of history who helped to promote the Benin
culture and commanded tremendous respect.”
source Vañgu
by ROTMANLUV 2023-07-08, 17:34
