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Tag: Oba of Benin

  • Oba of Benin speaks on relationship with Buhari, Oshiomhole

    Oba of Benin speaks on relationship with Buhari, Oshiomhole

    The Secretary, Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor, has described as cordial, the relationship of Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, with President Muhammadu Buhari, and former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    Irabor said Oba of Benin was shocked over the viral fake video, in which he was alleged to have insulted President Buhari and Comrade Oshiomhole.

    He condemned the trending video on the social media, anchored by one Eranomigho Edegbe, which also cast aspersions on Oshiomhole and a philanthropist, Capt Hosa Okunbo, an indigene of Edo State.

    The BTC secretary noted that the relationship between the Oba of Benin and President Buhari dated back to his days as the head of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), and is still being maintained.

    He said: “The Oba of Benin will not only continue to pray for the well- being of President Buhari, but will also continue to pray for the success of his administration.

    “His Royal Majesty wishes to make it clear that the said video and the contents therein were neither commissioned nor encouraged by the Oba of Benin.”

  • Obaseki congratulates Oba of Benin on birth of new Prince

    Obaseki congratulates Oba of Benin on birth of new Prince

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, and the Royal Palace of the Benin Kingdom on the birth of a new prince.
    The governor, in a statement, welcomed the addition to the Benin Royalty, noting that Edo people rejoice with the Oba and the palace.

    According to him, “It is with a delighted heart that I congratulate His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, and the Royal Palace of the Benin Kingdom on the new addition to the Benin Royal family.

    “His arrival has expanded the splendor of the Royal Palace of the Benin Kingdom, and we pray that the greatness of the Kingdom of His Royal Majesty would continue to grow without bounds in the fruitful years ahead.

    “I extend the greetings of the government and the good people of Edo State to the Oba and prayed for more blessings, long life and prosperity in the Royal family.

    “Oba Gha To Kpere, Ise!!!”

  • BREAKING: Oba Of Benin welcomes first Prince as monarch

    BREAKING: Oba Of Benin welcomes first Prince as monarch

    The Benin Traditional Council has announced the birth of a new prince of the kingdom to Oba Ewuare ll, the Oba of Benin.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Iyase of Benin Kingdom (Prime Minister), Chief Sam Igbe made the announcement on Monday.

    “By the grace of the Almighty God and the benevolence of our ancestors, the Benin Traditional Council on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare ll, Oba of Benin and the royal palace of Benin Kingdom, joyfully wish to announce that Her Royal Highness, Queen Iyayota of Benin Kingdom been has delivered of a bouncing baby boy.

    “The infant Prince and his mother are in excellent health and good spirits,” the Prime Minister of the Benin Kingdom told newsmen.

    TNG learnt the new prince was delivered by one of the Oba’s Queens, Her Royal Highness, Queen Iyayota of Benin Kingdom.

    The Benin Traditional Council congratulated the Monarch and the amicable Queen for the arrival of the Prince.

    “It is our prayers that the Prince will grow in good health, excellent and grace and that he shall be blessed immeasurably by the Almighty God and, the great Royal ancestors with the wisdom, kindness and generosity, knowledge and courage of his illustrious father,” Igbe said.

  • Obaseki, Oshiomhole feud: Oba of Benin calls for fasting, prayers

    The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has urged traditional rulers in the state to fast and pray for peace ahead of the Edo governorship election in 2020.

    The Oba gave the charge at the quarterly meeting of Edo Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in Benin on Saturday.

    The monarch said the prayers and fasting should go along with offering of sacrifice to God and the ancestors.

    Ewuare, who is the chairman of the council, said that the call for prayers became necessary in view of the current political crisis in the state, a situation, which he stressed had “become a serious concern to everyone”.

    The Oba said that he was sure that the state would be peaceful in spite of the current face-off among the political gladiators.

    He reiterated the need for traditional rulers to continually maintain absolute neutrality as fathers to all.

    “And as royal fathers we must act within the ambit of the law,” he said.

    Oba Ewuare further urged the traditional rulers and chiefs not to allow labours of the founding fathers of their traditional heritage to be in vain.

  • Oba of Benin raises alarm over 'escalating' feud between Obaseki, Oshiomhole

    Oba of Benin raises alarm over 'escalating' feud between Obaseki, Oshiomhole

    Oba of Benin Ewuare II says the disagreement between Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has escalated.
    Oba Ewuare II who spoke when he received members of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee set up to look into the Edo Assembly crisis, said he intervened in the feud between both men but the crisis escalated.
    The Benin monarch said he was about to meet both men again when he heard about the committee.
    “Like I told President Buhari that I have been talking to the two parties involved, Oshiomhole and the incumbent governor on different occasions. I have invited both of them to discuss with them but things are escalating too fast.
    “I was still planning to meet both of them when I heard the House of Representatives has set up an adhoc committee to look into the issue and I pray that you are successful in this task ahead,” Oba Ewuare stated.
    Chairman of the committee, Abdulrazak Namdas (APC ADAMAWA) said the committee was set up to investigate the crisis in the Edo state House of Assembly and to bring lasting solution to the problem.
    Speaking to newsmen at the Benin Airport, he said, “I am the chairman of the committee and we are here to do the factfinding, to meet with the honourable members, stakeholders, clerk of the house and all the people that are expected to be seen; we are ready to see them today. And then get back to Abuja.
    “We have started the process already; this committee has been given just a week, we have met the governor of the state, we have met with other members of the house of assembly, Edo state that are in Abuja. And we are going to meet with the other ones that are here in Edo and the clerk.
    “We are men of integrity, we are able politicians in our own right, we have track records to prove and men you can never question their character.”

  • Oba of Benin and Obaseki-Oshiomhole 'MAD' project, By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Oba of Benin and Obaseki-Oshiomhole 'MAD' project, By Ehichioya Ezomon

    By Ehichioya Ezomon
    For the second time in a fortnight, I’m treating this issue not for its festering, but because Governor Godwin Obaseki and former Governor Adams Oshiomhole have spurned the pleas of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, to bury their political differences.
    Rather, they’ve chosen the path of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) that doesn’t bode well for their platform – the All Progressives Congress (APC), and least of all the interest and wellbeing of the people and development of Edo State.
    So, on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, the Omo N’Oba Nedo, at the head of a delegation of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, reported his “frustration” to President Muhammadu Buhari, for his intervention in the impasse.
    He told the president: “We, as traditional rulers in Edo State, are concerned about the crisis between Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman and his Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, and Edo State House of Assembly.
    “If this crisis is not resolved now, with immediate effect, it may jeopardize the progress of the state. On behalf of the good people of Edo State, we kindly appeal to Mr. President to use your good offices to intervene and stop this crisis.”
    Even as he intimated the president that he doesn’t like to interfere in inter-party or intra-party matters, as “the Benin Crown is non-partisan,” he said it’s difficult to turn a blind eye “because, if this crisis is not brought under control, it is likely to jeopardize the welfare of the masses.”
    “This is why I, in my capacity as Chairman of Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, supported by members of the Council, will endeavour to broker peace between the warring parties,” he said.
    The watching public isn’t in the know if the Obaseki-Oshiomhole spat was principally the reason Oba Ewuare led a delegation to the president, as he (Oba) raised additional issues concerning the state and the Buhari administration.
    However, that the Oba took the matter to President Buhari indicates his disappointment, and ostensibly annoyance at the refusal of two of the most prominent personalities in Edo State to heed his appeals and mend fences.
    For the duo to ignore the revered Royal Majesty is a travesty of the age-long submission of Edo people to the traditional intercessory authority of the Oba (and the Enigies) of the kingdom.
    If, Oshiomhole, now at the federal level, no longer has use for the “cover” given by the Oba to those that govern Edo State, Governor Obaseki, who’s barely two and half years in the saddle, and craves for a second term, needs the palace blessings and backing.
    Recall Oba Ewuare’s prayer, three months to his crowning on October 20, 2016, when outgoing Governor Oshiomhole and members of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), along with candidate Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Phillip Shuaibu, visited his palace.
    Oshiomhole’s strategy was to present Obaseki, as the “next governor,” to the then Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa (Oba Ewuare II), who eulogized his “miraculous” achievements, “almost along the same line as the Governor of Lagos State at the time, (Babatunde) Fashola,” and “his (Oshiomhole’s) respect for the traditional institution.”
    A photograph of that parley shows that as Oshiomhole stood speaking, and former Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, as Chairman of the PGF, sat on the right, both Obaseki and Shuaibu stood in the foreground, facing the Oba.
    Responding, Oba Ewuare wished “Mr. Godwin Obaseki well to be the next governor of Edo State,” adding: “So, we can only pray that may the Lord, God almighty, and our ancestors protect the gubernatorial candidates, and give them the wisdom to put food on the table of the masses. “Because for us, our first concern is the people, the masses.
    “And, of course, he (Obaseki) will be a great respecter, like our Comrade Governor (Oshiomhole). I said he should do better than him, to be a great respecter of the traditional institution.”
    It’s normal for Oba Ewuare to wish for another governor that would respect the traditional institution, as did Oshiomhole, whose veneration for the late Omo N’Oba Nedo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Erediauwa, made him to be “adopted as a son,” and the palace became “his second home.”
    Correspondingly, Oba Erediauwa endorsed the policies and programmes of Oshiomhole’s administration, including the infrastructural upgrade of Benin City, and particularly the expansion of the Airport Road that affected the palace wall.
    It’s a taboo to touch such a monument, but Oba Erediauwa reportedly said that, “If the wall is going to prevent the expansion of the road, you (Oshiomhole) should remove it.”
    That unprecedented gesture silenced the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had used, as a campaign tool, the alleged “provocative” plan by Oshiomhole’s government to pull down the fence, for the road expansion.
    Certainly, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa would have “handed over” Oshiomhole to his successor, Oba Ewuare II, to “take care of him.” Perhaps, to enjoy a similar protective shield, Oshiomhole went to the palace, to introduce candidate Obaseki to the Oba.
    Against this background, why would both men, but particularly Governor Obaseki, defy the Oba’s advice and pleas to settle the political rift between them, to the extent that he had to externalize his frustration to President Buhari?
    Where’s the “respect for the traditional institution” that the Oba desired from candidate Obaseki, if the governor couldn’t defer to the Royal Majesty as an arbiter in his quarrel with Oshiomhole? And did Oshiomhole’s respect for the Benin Throne end with the demise of Omo N’Oba Erediauwa?
    The Obaseki camp may have won rounds one and two: Installation of (minority) presiding officers of the Edo House of Assembly, and the reported purging of Oshiomhole’s surrogates in the State Executive Council.
    But how long can they sustain this “clapping with one hand” in the face of a very potent and formidable opposition PDP that stung like the bee the last time on February 23, 2019?
    It’s time to reconcile, especially as Oba Ewuare II, who Obaseki and Oshiomhole couldn’t respect his mediatory role, has placed the case before the APC leader, President Buhari, to settle.
    * Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
  • Traditional rulers discuss insecurity in Nigeria with Prince Charles

    Traditional rulers discuss insecurity in Nigeria with Prince Charles

    The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles met with some traditional leaders to discuss, among other issues, peace and security, and educating the girl-child.

    Prince Charles received the traditional rulers in Abuja on Monday during a visit to Nigeria, the final leg of an eight-day tour to three West African countries.

    The prince and his wife, Princess Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who are visiting together, were in The Gambia and Ghana earlier.

    Speaking with newsmen, following closed-door meeting, the Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi II said the prince gave a brief summary of discussions held with President Muhammadu Buhari on a range of issues from climate change to demographic explosion.

    Sanusi said that the proper education of the girl-child would address the issue of demographics in the country.

    “We talked about town planning. Now take the north for example We have had a huge demographic explosion in the last 40 to 50 years but we have not yet changed the way we build our houses.

    “So every time there is pressure for housing, the government takes over farmlands. Very soon we will not have enough farmland to feed Kano and we are not going to have grazing routes.

    “We have got to start thinking how we could build vertically so that more families live on one plot, we free up the land, improve the yield on agriculture and begin to confront some of these challenges of demographics.

    “Educating the girl child basically kills so many birds with one stone; we had a conversation around and the whole idea is how to work with the British Government in dealing with these issues and see how we can learn from each other’s experience,” the Emir said.

    The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Ewuare II also told newsmen that the issues of human trafficking and youth empowerment were discussed adding that “I made my commitments”.

    The seven traditional leaders received by Prince Charles are the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe; Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

    Others are the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Ewuare II; Shehu of Borno, Gabai El-Kanemi; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III.

    Prince Charles and Princess Camilla would visit Lagos on Wednesday, where they will engage the business community on a wide range of businesses, trade and investment.

     

  • Royal visit: What Oba of Benin discussed with Prince Charles

    Royal visit: What Oba of Benin discussed with Prince Charles

    The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has urged the Prince of Wales and heir apparent to the British Monarch, Prince Charles to assist in facilitating the return of Benin artefacts to the country.

    The monarch made the call, on Tuesday in Abuja, when Prince Charles received some traditional rulers during a visit to Nigeria, the final leg of an eight-day tour to three West African countries.

    The prince and his wife, Princess Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who are visiting together, were in The Gambia and Ghana earlier.

    The artefacts were said to have been carried away from the Royal Court of Benin in 1897.

    “Nigerians in general and Benin people in particular will be most delighted to have Your Royal Highness throw his weight behind our efforts to have some of our ancient artefacts that were taken in 1897 from the royal Court of Benin returned to establish Oba Palace Museum for the promotion of tourism in Benin city.”

    The monarch further commended the relations between the United Kingdom and Nigeria and appreciated the Queen of England, Elizabeth II for sending representatives during his coronation as the 40th Oba of Benin.

    He also appreciated the support of the UK in Nigeria’s fight against human trafficking, adding that fight against human trafficking is still a work in progress.

    As part of his scheduled, Prince Charles, who is seeking greater role for traditional rulers in nation building, held discussions on issues bordering on insecurity, climate change demographic explosion amongst others.

    Prince Charles and Princess Camilla would visit Lagos on Wednesday, where they will engage the business community on a wide range of businesses, trade and investment.

     

  • Buhari, Gowon, Jonathan charge traditional rulers on Nigeria’s unity

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Benin called on traditional rulers across the country to continue to build bridges of unity and oneness to promote national development.
    Buhari made the call at the official launch of the Book Entitled “The Benin Monarchy, an Anthology of Benin History” held in Benin City on Saturday in commemoration of the 2nd coronation anniversary of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II.
    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.) also commended the Benin monarchy for the remarkable effort to tell the history of the Benin Kingdom to avoid distortion that may arise from allowing others to seize the narrative.
    In his remark, Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki assured on plans to build the Benin Royal Museum to preserve Benin heritage and retrieve stolen artefacts.
    President Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha commended the good relationship that exists between the Sultanate and the Benin Kingdom, saying it should cut across the country.
    He said that traditional institutions must continue to stay abreast with the digital changes in the world and should not allow the changes affect the preservation of customs, languages and traditions of the people.
    Buhari congratulated the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and the council of chiefs for preserving the Benin culture, saying that the Benin kingdom is a role model to others.
    He further called on traditional rulers across the country to join the federal government in preaching against hate speech and resist money politics as the 2019 elections draw near.
    The Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, commended the outstanding features of the Benin Monarchy, and described the book as a masterpiece that “tells African history by Africans”
    “One of the tragedies of Africa is that our story has always been told by others from their own perspectives and with their own purpose.
    “The result is that much of the narratives of our continent have been a distortion. Against this background, we appreciate the impact of this singular effort of telling the history of Benin Kingdom,” he said.
    Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan said the Benin Kingdom has always made the country proud via its rich history and well-structured governance system.
    Jonathan commended the Oba of Benin for his resourcefulness and protection of the Benin people.
    In his remark, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, assured that the Benin Royal Museum would be built and completed before the end of 2021.
    He said he made the decision recently at a meeting of The Benin Dialogue Group which is made up of all prominent museums in Europe.
    “We also got the commitment of the group to return many of the works that were taken from the palace during the expedition in 1897,” the governor said.
    In his address, His Royal Majesty Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolo kpolo, Oba Ewuare II, commended all who have supported him since his ascension to the throne, saying his mandate is to prioritise the welfare of Edo people.
    He said the 7-kg book being launched was a compendium of the great history of a great people and would also be showcased in London, the United States of America, amongst other countries.
    He said the Oba Ewuare II satellite Town which is also being built in commemoration of his 2nd coronation anniversary was modelled to booster youth employment, create jobs in the agro-allied industry as well as cater for the general welfare of Edo people.
    Dignitaries at the event included the Sultan of Sokoto, former governors of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole, as well as the Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, Prof Faraday Orumwense amongst others.
     

  • Edo Govt finalizes plans for Oba of Benin 2nd coronation anniversary

    Edo Govt finalizes plans for Oba of Benin 2nd coronation anniversary

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said preparations, especially those pertaining to security, are being finalized for the 2nd coronation anniversary of Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolo kpolo, Oba Ewuare II.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Governor Obaseki made this known after meeting with heads of security agencies in the state, including the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, and Head of the Department of State Security (DSS) in the state.
    He assured that adequate security measures have been set up in preparation for the 2nd coronation anniversary of the Benin Monarch, while noting that a combined team of security operatives will be deployed to ensure adequate security for the ceremony.
    TNG gathers that the security meeting followed the receipt of intelligence on plans by those who do not mean well for the state to disrupt the peace and scale up nefarious activities with the ceremony, and as the year comes to an end.
    The Governor said the state government will not relent in its effort to flush out criminal elements from the state, assuring that security has been beefed up with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of life and property in the state.
    “I have met with the Commissioner of Police and the DSS boss over the increased spate of cult activities in the state and we are deploying resources to ensure that those fuelling the crimes are brought to book.
    “We are committed to a safe Edo State and will not tolerate any criminality. I am very much committed to stemming the increased criminality perpetuated by cult groups and gangs in the state.
    “As a state that is forward-looking and desirous to attract foreign investment, I want to reiterate that we have exited the days when cult activities held sway in society. We have beefed up measures to check the reported cases. The new security architecture is taking shape to ensure that the people are safe,” Obaseki said.
    Oba Ewuare II, born October 20, 1953, was crowned the Oba of Benin on 20 October 2016. He is the 40th, and not the 39th Oba, a title created for the Head of State (Emperor) of the Benin Empire at some time between 1180 and 1300.
    Meanwhile, the Benin Traditional Council has announced the launch of a book on the history of Benin kingdom for October 20, 2018.