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The Great Oba Of Benin Is Dead by feranmmie(m): 7:59pm On Apr 29, 2016 |
– Omo n’Oba Erediauwa Akpolokpolo I is
said to have been battling illness since last
year
– His death was announced by Chief Sam
Igbe, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom
The Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa
Akpolokpolo I, has been reported dead. His
death was announced few minutes ago by
the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe.
The Great Oba of Benin
Sources report that the late monarch has
been battling an unknown illness since last
year.
The Benin Traditional Council formally
announced the translation of the Oba of
Benin, Omo N’Oba n’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo,
Oba Erediauwa, to his ancestors on Friday,
April 29.
His translation was announced by the Prime
Minister and Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief
Sam Igbe, in the presence of other traditional
Chiefs and Enigie (Dukes), with the traditional
braking of native chalk at the entrance of the
palace.
While announcing the translation, the Iyase
said: “Osorhue Bunrun. Oba Erediauwa of
Benin Kingdom, the Prince if Peace, Ebo,
Ayemwirhe, emini mini mini, has returned with
his ancestors. May he find perfect peace with
God.”
A Naij correspondent in Benin reports that
following the breaking of the native chalk at
the main entrance of the palace, all the
chiefs broke down in tears and wailed for the
translated Monarch.
In accordance with the Benin traditional
mourning rites for a translated Monarch,
every male in the kingdom is expected to
shave his head throughout the mourning
period that may last for up to three months,
while all markets in the kingdom are to
remain closed for about seven days.
The Benin Crown Prince and Edaiken of
Benin, Eheneden Erediauwa, who arrived at
the palace at about 1:10 pm from his
temporary resistance in Uselu, was formally
informed of the translation of his father,
before it was publicly announced.
Reacting to the announcement of the
translation of the Monarch, the
Obadolagbonyi of Benin Kingdom, Chief
Omon-Osagie Utetenegiabi, said: “Yes, it is
traditional. It is customary that when a
sitting Oba becomes an ancestor, translates
to a greater glory. The Oba of Benin does not
die because he is an institution; he mainly
translates to a high glory as an ancestor.
“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 now 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, all chiefs that
have been entitled by the Oba to wear the
round bead round their necks, which is two,
will now wear one. It is customary because
when you see a Chief wears one bead, it
shows that we are in a state of mourning.
After today, we are awaiting further
instructions on what to do.
“Oba Eredia uwa is the Oba of Peace, the
Oba who brought prosperity to his people,
the Oba who understands his people. He
makes sure that no one was offended, the
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.”
In reaction to the announcement of the Oba’s
death, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo
state has eulogised the departed Benin
Monarch, Oba Erediauwa. The Governor
expressed his profound reverence for the
departed Monarch in a press statement he
issued and personally signed.
He described the late Monarch as “an
accomplished Nigerian, a seasoned
bureaucrat, quintessential unifier, unique
personage”.
Oshiomhole said : “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 institution
in Edo state and the country at large.
“His carriage comes with an élan that was
peculiar with the reverence of royalty. His
uncommon courage was symbolic of the can-
do spirit of the Edo mind. His unity of
purpose was not in doubt even as he used
his revered position to promote constructive
engagement amongst all shades of opinion
and culture in Edo state. As a thorough-bred
bureaucrat, rising to the pinnacle of his
career as a Federal Permanent Secretary, he
understood the dynamics and intricacies of
governance. He was the alternative voice to
the many voiceless in our society, calling
government attention to issues of
development and transparent governance,
without minding whose ox is gored. He was
brave, fearless, punchy and instructive in his
verbal and written messages.
“To us at the Edo state Government, he was
our strongest supporter; both in his
uncommon faith in our ability and his
readiness to offer uncommon advice to
sharpen public discourse in our shared
commitment to transform Edo state. It
gladdens our heart, therefore, that our
revered Oba was alive to witness the positive
transformation of Edo state under his reign,
and for standing with us through thick and
thin in the course of making the Edo economy
a treasure to behold. Being part of that
eloquent history of transformation before his
reunion with his ancestors gives us further
reassurance that he will occupy a special
pride of place in the hereafter.
“We are enveloped with a deep sense of
nostalgia that our great Oba, a great-
grandfather, grandfather, father, uncle and
iconoclastic royal father of exemplary
carriage and conduct, who sustained the
dignity of the average Edo mind, has joined
his ancestors. We are, however, encouraged
by the fact that another great son of the
Great Benin Kingdom, His Royal Highness,
Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden
Erediauwa, who is already showing manifest
quintessential attributes of his great father,
will step into his father’s big shoes.
“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,” the governor
concluded.
Oba Erediauwa was born in 1923, when in
1979 he ascended the throne of his fathers,
he became the 38th Oba of Benin, traditional
ruler of the Edo people in Benin City, in
Nigeria.
He was formerly addressed as the Prince
Solomon Akenzua, and took on the title Omo
n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I
after taking over from his father Oba Akenzua
II, in a ceremony held in Benin city, on March
23, 1979.
|
Re: The Great Oba Of Benin Is Dead by glitteraty(f): 8:02pm On Apr 29, 2016 |
RIP |
Re: The Great Oba Of Benin Is Dead by nigeriancritic1(m): 8:03pm On Apr 29, 2016 |
feranmmie:Rather the Oba of the once touted-to-great Benin throne |
Re: The Great Oba Of Benin Is Dead by Beanhead(m): 8:03pm On Apr 29, 2016 |
RIP Buddy |
(1) (Reply)
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