EDAIKEN IN CORONATION MOOD: Benin agog as Oba-designate picks new name

Benin Kingdom has been the center of attraction in the past two weeks after the Crown Prince, Prince (Amb) Ehenede Erediauwa, commenced his journey to the throne. The Crown Prince will become the 39th Oba of Benin Kingdom after the grand finale of the events scheduled to hold on Thursday at the traditional Urho-Okpota ground. Since the commencement of the events lined up for the coronation, the ancient city of Benin has taken a new look, with colourful pictures of the Oba-designate erected at the popular King Square, Airport Road among other parts of the city.

Meanwhile, contrary to the belief that the Crown Prince, who is well travelled and educated, may shelve some of the rituals slated for his ascension to the throne, he chose to fulfil all the rituals as they were done by his fore fathers, removing nothing. Infact, that has attracted thousands of Edo sons and daughters, from home and abroad, to witness the epoch making ceremonies. As the Crown Prince moved from one place to the other, you could see the uniqueness of the Benin Kingdom, as no fewer than 10,000 persons, including Benin chiefs, cultural groups, foreigners, youths, residents of the kingdom followed him with excitement.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the governor-elect of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, led other leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, last week, including the state Chairman of the party, Anslem Ojezua, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Patrick Obahiagbon (Igodomigodo) and Rasaq Bello Osagie to pay homage to the Oba in the making.

Journey

The Edaiken began the journey to the throne, penultimate Saturday, with a foot procession, escorted by Uselu people, after he left Eguae Edaiken (Uselu) for Oredo.

He trekked a distance of about 10 kilometers from his temporary palace at Uselu to Eko-Ohae (bachelors camp) to Oredo Local Government Area. But while on his way to Oredo where Oredo chiefs took charge of his movement, the Edaiken stopped at the sacred Eguae Palm Tree which is called Udin Amamieson-Aimiuwa and aged about 500 years. The tree was first climbed by Oba Ewuare in the 15th century and some offerings were offered before the Crown Prince proceeded on his coronation journey. Commercial activities were paralysed along the routes he trekked through, mainly Benin-Lagos Road and Lagos Street.

That same day, he arrived at Iya-akpan, the present day Five-Junction where Uselu chiefs took leave of him and Oredo chiefs took over.
It was chiefs from Benin that escorted the Crown Prince to Benin-City. That same day at about 6:30pm, the Crown Prince arrived Eko-Ohae in Oredo, where he spent three days while private ceremonies were conducted.

Various cultural troupes, like the Iten Edo Theatre Group, Benin Royal Dynasty Trust Dance moved with the crowd to entertain them. On Tuesday, the Edaiken leaves Eko-Ohae for Usama palace where the coronation rituals continue. The coronation rituals will take place at the Uzama palace which was first built and lived in by Prince Oranmiyan. It was Oba Ewedo that moved the Oba palace to its present location. A makeshift building was erected at the Uzama palace ground and workers were seen maintaining the road leading to the Uzama palace.

The ancient road, known as ‘Odeoba’ (Oba’s Road), which the Crown Prince walked through was fixed also. The Crown Prince also walked through Oba Market Road, Ebo Street and Odeoba to Usama palace. Motorists and pedestrians have been barred from driving or walking on Ebo Street. Some chiefs, in red attires, were seen on the road preventing people from passing through.

The coronation ceremonies also climax on Tuesday when the Crown Prince, who will remain in Usama palace until the Thursday coronation date, will head to Use village where he will choose a name he wants to be addressed as king. The moment he picks his name for the throne, he stops answering Ehenede Erediauwa. After picking the name, Edaiken returns to Usama to prepare for the D-Day which is Thursday. He is expected to take a good rest on Wednesday and, on Thursday, he passes through Isekherhe to Urho-Okpota, where the coronation will take place.

Urho-Okpota ground, located at Ring Road, the heart of the ancient Benin City, has been condoned off following on-going work ahead of the grand finale of the coronation. The ground is wearing a new look. Traders have vacated the area. The hall which is known for hosting great traditional and political events is located adjacent the Oba Market. The ground has been venue for the crowning of every Oba of Benin, and that is the reason most politicians in the state who are either aspiring to be governor or running for any political position scramble for space in the hall for the declaration of their political intentions.

It is generally believed in the kingdom that the gods of Benin will always grant success to any politician who declares his intention at the traditional Urho-Okpota hall. It is a ground for the making of kings. That ground, even as small as it is, will play host to President Muhammadu Buhari and other world leaders who will witness the coronation on Thursday.

Throughout the coronation period, burial rites in Benin have been prohibited. And since the commencement of the rituals, all commercial activities around the Eko-Ohae and Urho-Okpota have been banned. When you enter Benin, you don’t need to be told that a new king will soon emerge because you can feel it.

The Aiyobahan of Benin Kingdom, Chief Osamede Adun, who has been following the events so far, said he was 25 years old when the late Oba Erediauwa was crowned in 1979 and that he stood among the crowd to watch the procession and coronation.

“I was about 29 years old then when Erediauwa was crowned. I was not a palace chief at that time. It was how they did it then, that is what is taking place now. Today, I am the happiest person. Back then, I was watching from among the crowd but today I am a top palace chief.

Where I can get to now, you cannot reach there. I am very happy to near my Oba,”Adun stated.
He described the Crown Prince as a man who abhors lies and derives pleasure in the truth. “Edaiken himself, as king, does not like lies. If you want to be closer or be his friend, tell him the truth. And once he finds out that you are not truthful, he will not be happy with you. I am advising my fellow chiefs, if you are talking with our king, give him the true picture of things and when he later finds out that you are telling him lies, he will never be happy with you”.

Chief Ada Igbinovia, the Edosomwan of Benin Kingdom, said those who are witnessing the coronation ceremonies should count themselves very lucky as it was a rare experience in one’s life time.

A chief, who claimed to have witnessed the coronation of Oba Akenzua, Chief Osarobo Orue, the Oba Iyekeagbon of Benin Kingdom, said the reign of the new Oba of Benin would consolidate the peace being enjoyed in the kingdom. “This is the third time I am witnessing the coronation of Oba of Benin. I witnessed the coronation of Oba Akenzua, Oba Erediauwa and that of Edaiken N’Usele.

I will join in the trekking. I am 100 years old now”, he said. Chief Egharevba Igbinehi, the Ohanwan of Benin, said his forefather was among the chiefs that came with Prince Oranmiyan when the Benin prince was summoned back from Uhe (Ife). He said his function is to pray for the Oba before he begins any ceremony.

Onijagidijagan:
When will the crown prince of benin pay is respect to the king of all Obas I.e the Great Ooni of Ife?

KingOvoramwen1:
Your mumu Ogiso of benin is a domestic Appendage of the Oni of ife...The one and only Supreme Oba..... Infact i think its hard time yoruba chiefs revoke your south south outcast from using our Oba title Copycats I laff in swahillli

Onijagidijagan:

is that what you people are taught? so you believe that cheap crap dat Oduduwa is a benin man? believe that at ur own peril.

Prince oranmiyan d progenitor of Oba in benin..that extinguished and banished Ogiso frm benin was a yoruba man.
his son Owomika..dat u people called Eweka was also a yoruba man.

Uselu is a yoruba word...and many uselu are distributed accross yoruba towns.

Ur oba sud do d necessity and pay is due to the first Oba's throne in the world like his ancestors I.e past Obas has done before him.

We are waiting for d Skull of d past one too for rituals purpose in Ife.

sexybaby22:
Now am writing to see if this oba too will travel up and down like the ooni

KingOvoramwen1:


Ohh no Oduduwa fell from sky with a chain, two fowl and two tribal mark faced women and started borning u ppl and planting cassava hahaha abeg dude be sensible Oduduwa was prince Ekelerehan dat was barnished from benin and wandered onto Uhe wich u ppl call Ife and he told u ppl he was an Ogiso wich means Sky King wich was the title benin kings bore at that time so he successfully convinced u ppl that u ppl made him king lool i swear even up till now yoruba OT never still change...

YOU WANNA TIFF WORD NA USELU WICH IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON BENIN WORDS YOU WAN TIFF HAHAHA ABEG I NORFIT LAFF
Oboy Laho dnt digrace urself here

Onijagidijagan:

Get ur senses right frm wia u left them cuz I knw u've left them somewhere. never u compare my Afonja's brain with ur Edo brain lalai it beats urz.

Ur so called Ekelerhan was bannished and wondered to "Uhe" that is not Ife..it cud be other towns but you people should not take as ife...(Mistake number one)

In regard to oduduwa falling frm d sky, there is different between Oduduwa as a religion and Oduduwa as king... I know benin people always observe Oduduwa festivals as a religion and not Ekelerhan. . so dat sudn't be new to you.
Oduduwa was a yoruba man that came frm Ugbo of now Ondo-State.

You people sud stop d rebellion against ur source

Yoruba people will never thief any benin word lailai...u stole our words..some of which are:

Olohungbo cat
Elede pig
Oba
Omo
Benin/Ile ibinu land of vexation
Aga chair
Pele sorry
Iye Mother
Patapata everything
Gbogbo e Everything
Abi
jor
Ashewo
Oga mi
Olokun
Ogun
Aiyelala
Amen water
amongst many others

KingOvoramwen1:



Hahahahaha i told you idiot not to disgrace yourself here but your yoruba dunce brain could not process it....

Benin words stolen by yoruba
Oba - king

Ologbo cat
Elede pig
Oba
Omo
Aga chair
Ko! sorry
Iye Mother
Patapata Everything
Olokun
Ogun - a benin king Nobiasisis worshiped as a diety
Aiyelala - A Benin/Ijaw Diety or cult
Amen - water
Egbe - Family meeting

All yoruba king - all Grandchildren from from the Benin Royal stool


HAHAHA JESUS SO NOW ODUPOOPWA FELL FROM ONDO I TOT U PPL SAID MECCA BEFORE BUNCH OF CONFUSED ILLETERATES

Onijagidijagan:


That's d mistake u've made...if I ask u what is Ologbo? I'm sure u will reply me is cat if u say cat, u r 50% right.

Ologbo is a word dat describe d animal characteristics O/lo/gbo is like a small sentence which you cannot break into it's component part bcuz is not ur word

O Owner/voice/tiny which means the owner of a tiny sound.
E/lede :the owner of the mud
Pepeye :A bird that that has that ....BLAH BLAH TRASH

KingOvoramwen1:


A yoruba thief trying shamelessly to make sense of words that are foriegn to him hahahaha Foock Boy.


ALL YORUBA KINGS ARE BASTARD GRAND KIDS OF THE BENIN ROYAL STOOL.......EVERYONE KNOWS THIS FACT!!!

Onijagidijagan:

Shio go and find d history of most of d Akoko edos..they will tell u where they migrated frm e.g Ibilo, Sobe etc. Many of them bears yoruba names, looks like yorubas and they always remain loyal to there yorubas despite d fake histories u people want to force on them

Isoko/etsako/esan/Akoko edos/Yorubas/itsekiris/olukunmi all in d south south does not speak benin but speak more yorubas..that sud tell u many things alone.

The first four kings of d Olukunmi in d South south are yoruba namea..likewise d itsekiris.

Many of ur great grand fathers frm benin bear yoruba names..dat sud tell u their source too.

Yorubaland four times bigger than the South South yet have never seen a single yoruba man bearing benin name but is d other way round...why?

KingOvoramwen1:



If dem born you well enter Benin or Warri with this your mentality you will learn why those yoruba immigrants in benin are very docile and meek hahaha.......... infact we call them Bingos

Onijagidijagan:

Shio go and find d history of most of d Akoko edos..they will tell u where they migrated frm e.g Ibilo, Sobe etc. Many of them bears yoruba names, looks like yorubas and they always remain loyal to there yorubas despite d fake histories u people want to force on them

Isoko/etsako/esan/Akoko edos/Yorubas/itsekiris/olukunmi all in d south south does not speak benin but speak more yorubas..that sud tell u many things alone.

The first four kings of d Olukunmi in d South south are yoruba namea..likewise d itsekiris.

Many of ur great grand fathers frm benin bear yoruba names..dat sud tell u their source too.

Yorubaland four times bigger than the South South yet have never seen a single yoruba man bearing benin name but is d other way round...why?

Onijagidijagan:

Shio go and find d history of most of d Akoko edos..they will tell u where they migrated frm e.g Ibilo, Sobe etc. Many of them bears yoruba names, looks like yorubas and they always remain loyal to there yorubas despite d fake histories u people want to force on them

Isoko/etsako/esan/Akoko edos/Yorubas/itsekiris/olukunmi all in d south south does not speak benin but speak more yorubas..that sud tell u many things alone.

The first four kings of d Olukunmi in d South south are yoruba namea..likewise d itsekiris.

Many of ur great grand fathers frm benin bear yoruba names..dat sud tell u their source too.

Yorubaland four times bigger than the South South yet have never seen a single yoruba man bearing benin name but is d other way round...why?

BornStunner1:


Benin, once known as Igodomigodo, was the kingdom of rulers who regarded themselves as sky-kings, those whose divine rule is derived from the sky – Ogiso. At the eclipse of this dynasty, there was still no authentic heir to the throne, Owodo; the last of the Ogisos was desperate for a successor. His only heir, Ekaladerhan, being the son of an unfavoured queen (Arukho), had little or no prospect of succeeding his father as he was entrapped in a web of palace intrigues with the sole aim of depriving him succeed his father.
A plot purported to be the wish of the gods was eventually hatched to eliminate him.
The executioners, sensing intrigue and betrayal, spared his life. He secretly sojourned westward into a community the Binis called Uhe (Ife). At Uhe (Ife), he assumed the title of Oduduwa (I have sought my path of prosperity).
Back home, the last of the Ogisos died without producing a heir to his throne. During the period of interregnum, a republican called Evian as administrator of the kingdom was succeeded by Ogiamien who became overzealous and ambitious. He wanted to perpetuate Evians hegemony in
Benin. In order to sustain the age old tradition of primogeniture, the elders resolved to set up a search party to trace the whereabouts of Ekaladerhan, the only surviving heir of Ogiso Owodo.
The elders, headed by Oliha, who were opposed to the overbearing nature of Ogiamien, were resolute to invite Ekaladerhan home to take over his rightful position as heir apparent. It became evident that the system of succession (father to son) had been the culture of the Binis since inception. It is therefore obvious there was an existing kingdom under the rule of the Ogisos before the establishment of Eweka I dynasty.
It is also beyond doubt that this practice had been with the Binis before the establishment of the present dynasty of which Erediauwa is the 38th Oba in an unbroken succession since Eweka I in 900AD.
A delegation of nobilities, under the leadership of Oliha, eventually arrived at Ile-Ife and implored Ekaladerhan to return to Benin. At the time the emissaries reached him, he yelled in excitement, ‘Ewore ka,’ meaning the nucleus or the source, heart or soul of the flow will never go dry. He was assured of his safety and the hope of making him the ruler of the kingdom. The aged prince refused the invitation and promised that he would rather delegate power to one of his sons.
*Oba of Benin
Ekaladerhan’s refusal to honour the elders’ invitation could be subject to many interpretations. Firstly, he must have become so old that he felt it unreasonable to move to Benin. Secondly, he had adapted himself to the culture of his new environment that he would prefer to remain.
He was, in fact, the leader of the community as a result of his ingenuity and prowess in all aspects of community enterprise.
Thirdly, he probably wanted to abide by the pledge he made that he would not set his foot on the Benin soil again.
However, Ekaladerhan entrusted his son, Oranmiyan, into the care of Oliha who had promised to ensure his protection. Oranmiyan’s reign in Benin was short-lived. His departure from Benin was dictated by two factors. One, he was greatly embarrassed by the opposition of Ogiamien and his adherents.
Two, Oranmiyan’s cultural background was in conflict with the custom and tradition of Binis.
On his way back to Ile-Ife, Oranmiyan had a short stay at Ego where he impregnated Erhinmwinde, the daughter of the Enogie. This affair resulted in the birth of Eweka 1.
Femi Fani Kayode’s write up in Sunday Vanguard of May 26, 2013 at pages 20-21 entitled, ‘Who are the Yoruba People?,’ was quite interesting.

BornStunner1:



Shurrup there those names you are reffering to are confam Edo names stolen by the yorubas


Akoko edo ppl are yoruba migrants to benin but didnt want to have anytin to do with thier yoruba kin they accepted slavery in a foriengn land

even up till today the never claim to be yoruba hahaha but claim to be Edo even if thier names says otherrwise which is quite funny and pitiful

Onijagidijagan:

Thanks for these pieces. have said it before dat Uhe is not ife.
how can a banished king be called a king?
Oranmiyan had no opposition was not dethroned as a king but preferred Alafin of Oyo's title to dat of oba of benin..dats y he let his son to take his throne.
Oranmiyan lived in Benin long enough to establish a palace at uselu, to renamed d town to Ile-ibinu and to mandate many rules.

Onijagidijagan:

Thanks for these pieces. have said it before dat Uhe is not ife.
how can a banished king be called a king?
Oranmiyan had no opposition was not dethroned as a king but preferred Alafin of Oyo's title to dat of oba of benin..dats y he let his son to take his throne.
Oranmiyan lived in Benin long enough to establish a palace at uselu, to renamed d town to Ile-ibinu and to mandate many rules.

BornStunner1:


Akoko-Edo is one of the six (6) Local Government Areas in the Afenmai/Afemai Region in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State of Nigeria with Its Headquarters at Igarra. The distance from Igarra to Benin City the Capital of Edo –State is approximately 160 km.(WIKIPEDIA)


AKOKO EDO IS AFEMAI OOOO JESUS THE Yorubas THERE ARE HOUSE MAIDS AND COOKS TO AFEMAI
AFEMAI SPEAK EDO AS A FIRST LANGUAGE BLENDED WITH A VERY LILTLE urhobo

KingOvoramwen1:


.Read properperly that write up cleary states two things.

1) UHE IS IFE
2) ODUDUWA CAME FROM BENIN AND ESTABLISED THE YORUBA RACE THUS YORUBA KINGS A CLEARY BADTARDS FROM THE BENIN ROYAL STOOL..


CASE CLOSED!!!!

Onijagidijagan:


Edo is a combination of tribes okay..d Afenmai people doesn't speak and understand the benin language.
Esan and benin language is different amongst many others.

Do you wanna compare d population of d edos in the southwest compare to the yorubas in Edo-state? yorubas are indeed very accomodating we will never refer to them as slaves..cus they love us and we love them too.

Onijagidijagan:

you just dey vex irrationally. .quoting things that aint true.

Obas has bn existing bf d Ogiso dynasty in igodomigodo.

Oranmiyan brought Oba frm ife to banish Ogiso's reign

Fact

Onijagidijagan:

you just dey vex irrationally. .quoting things that aint true.

Obas has bn existing bf d Ogiso dynasty in igodomigodo.

Oranmiyan brought Oba frm ife to banish Ogiso's reign

Fact

KingOvoramwen1:



Stop disgracing uself and your tribe EVERYONE KNOWS "OBA" IS A BENIN TITLE AND WORD

GOSH GET SOME CLASS

AND THE SAME OROMIYAN U REFFERING TO IS A BASTARD CHILD FROM THE BENIN PRINCE EKALERDAN aka Oduduwa

KingOvoramwen1:


Esan Afemia and Bini language is the same but with the same varaints you find in yoruba spoken in oyo and ijebu thats why all itshekiri afemia esan akoko languages are classified as Ediod under the Benin canopy...

why wont yoruba immigrants be plenty in benin when Benin is a City and Ife is a village.