₦airaland Forum

The Isekhure presumed too much. The crown made his ancestors Chief priest and can unmake him. As chief priest he should know that the Oba himself is a deity. Oba gha to'kpere!!

See pics of Isekhure below;

Nice one. Oba gha to kpere. Ise!

The correct honorific is HIS ROYAL MAJESTY (HRM). Only the Oba bears this in Edo state. Every other traditional ruler or duke (Enogie) is HRH. The Oba was hitherto HRH Edaiken of Uselu (Crown prince), now he's HRM Oba Ewuare II N'Ogidigan.

Don't be a fool.
Of course the Oba can leave his palace whenever he likes. He is a King not a prisoner. The talk about him not leaving his palace is misunderstood. The fact that he doesn't perambulate like the Yoruba Obas is what is worthy of note. Imagine how the Alafin of Oyo will carry all his wives and travel to the UK to snap pictures or how the Ooni of Ife will pose with YBNL crew and take selfies. Such travesty cannot take place where the Oba of Benin is concerned. If you reside in Benin, you will know for a fact that the Oba hardly leaves his palace unless on festivals and such, even then, he only moves around the King square and other palaces and Shrines in Benin. The reason for this is that the Oba is much too mighty to be seen moving about and that's why people throng out to catch a glimpse of the Omo n'Oba whenever he's out. Infact, the number of palace chiefs, chief priests, cultural troops and paraphernalia that move with the Oba will tell you the work involved. Of course he can visit the UK, Ife or wherever if he's invited officially but if he attends, he goes with all his Majesty. Oba gha tor kpe re.

watch and learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0W2GCP-8Lo

On Akpakpava Road in the heart of Benin City, the Edo State capital, is a church founded over 500 years ago. The architectural design of the building tells its story. It does not advertise itself; yet has a large following. The Oba of Benin is its spiritual head, reports Osagie Otabor. The Holy Aruosa Cathedral is to the Bini people what the Church of England is to the English people; no wonder it is referred to as the Church of Benin. Welcome to the Holy Aruosa (the eye of God) Cathedral. Members of the Holy Arousa are different from flocks of other religious bodies: they are seldom seen sharing pamphlets to convert members or inviting people to the church. The church leaders do not hold crusades or revival services to convert ‘souls’, neither do they invite people to experience miracles. Legend has it that the church was located at the place because it was the spot the Bini had direct contact with Osanobua (God) long before the coming of the European explorers and missionaries. According to the folklore, a powerful spiritual leader known as Okhuaihe was said to have offered to personally take the peoples’ plea to God as a result of drought and pestilence that had infected the land. He gave up his life during one of the prayer sessions. He was expected to return and bring succour to the people. As the story goes, the people continued their prayers waiting for Okhuaihe’s return but rather than his return, they got a huge fireball that descended from the sky. At the point where the ball of fire dropped, a huge black stone was found and a place of worship was built there. During the British invasion of Benin Kingdom, the church was destroyed and the black stone was carted away along with other artifacts from the ancient city at about 1897. The invaders came with their own God, mode of worship and forbade the people from worshipping Osanobua at Holy Arousa. It was Oba Akenzua II (father of the present monarch) who rebuilt the current cathedral, not only in Benin City, but in Onitsha, Umuahia and other areas. The Oba of Benin is the spiritual head (general overseer) of the Church. His deputy is the Benin Crown Prince. The presiding head of the church is known as ‘Ohen Osa’ (God’s servant). A special seat is reserved for the Oba at the church. The priests dress like the Roman Catholic priests and usually wear red caps. Service at the church is conducted in Bini language. The Holy Bible is not used in the church; much of the preaching revolves around reminding the congregation that the Oba is God’s representative on earth and on the need to be good while on earth. Baptism of new converts is done with the white chalk (Orhue) in what is regarded as ‘Igborhe’. Does miracle happen in the church? Ohen Osa Harrison Okao said people received miracles and God’s blessings directly from God without any intermediary. He said: “Those who seek God come here. We don’t beg people to come. If you attend and discover that your contact with God is cordial, you will remain. If you beg God for promotion and you come here and got it, you will remain here.” Harrison said the church was founded during the reign of Oba Esigie and to worship God without praying through any intermediary. He said: “We use our local language to communicate with our God. We are aware of other diverse ways of reaching God. If you are a good Muslim, God will accept you. If you are a good Christian, God will accept you. “We don’t use the Bible here. We have our own book. We use the book of Holy Arousa according to the sayings of the ancient belief written by the wise men. The church is still in existence till today, it is an entity that will last forever. Nothing can stop it.” “A professional doctor does not need sign board. Oba is a special human being. He is God’s representative on earth. The seat that concerns Omon N’ Oba, nobody can sit on it. That seat is exclusively preserved for him.”
http://thenationonlineng.net/church-where-oba-of- benin-is-general-overseer/

anonimi:
I thought that the Benin Kingdom was so rooted in its own tradition and had plenty of MAGICAL powers.
Why would the King need a car from oyinbo people who captured his ancestor and sent him on exile
Is he and Benin people so shameless with absolutely no dignity whatsoever for themselves?


[img]http://revealinghistories.org.uk/inc/img.php/tpl/uploads/images/galleries/403/kingofbenin1.jpg/371/1/fill[/img]

Don't be a fool na. It's not cool. So because the british fought and defeated Benin kingdom over 120 years ago, the Oba should not buy a car? Na wa ooo. And please o, why do people suddenly feel like posting negative albeit dumb comments when they see a post about Benin and the Oba of Benin. Is that not hatred garnished with jealousy that I see?? YES, IT IS.

Oba of Benin isn't appointed. He is born a king. The throne cannot even be lobbied for. Saying he was appointed is like saying that Gov Oshiomole could have appointed someone else. That's impossible, in Benin at least. Benin was conquered and came under the British empire in 1897, When Oba Eweka II was crowned in 1914, the British law had to recognize him as under the British empire. When Nigeria became a republic in 1963, the Nigerian constitution had to recognize traditional rulers. Because how else will we claim to be operating a republic rather than a monarchical government if an Oba is not incorporated into the new Nigerian system. So after an Oba has been crowned as per traditions and custom, he is then presented a staff of office by the government to show that he is recognized by the government. But basically he is given the staff of office because he has been crowned Oba. Oba Ewuare II N'Ogidigan gha tor kpe re.

musicwriter:
I tend to have similar questions when I see the the new Ooni of Ife. You see them all they're interested is the glitz and glamour the throne have to offer. None of them is doing anything to reconstruct their various native languages that was destroyed by Britain. For instance; you still see "oba of Benin" boldly written on the king's official car. Doesn't "oba of Benin" have an interpretation in Bini language?

Oba Ewuare 11, did your ancestors use "oba of Benin" in English to describe your throne?

Do you know Rolls Royce is a product of descendants of the people that kidnapped and exiled your father, Oba Ovonramwen?

Do you know there're cache of Benin and Oyo (ancient kingdom) artifacts that you don't have knowledge of, but which are hidden somewhere in a British museum or other undisclosed places in Europe?

Do you and Ooni Ogunwusi even know anything about your histories?

www.nairaland.com/attachments/4393140_20161023183142_jpeg777269dddeddc4961ff8e830733f8741

My guy, Shut up your mouth abeg. And try not to make a habit of putting your Stupidity in writing. Must you comment

GROWTH OF BENIN LODGE: At its second regular meeting on 5th May, 1962 seven brethren including W.Bro. H.R.H. Akenzua II, C.M.G., OBA OF BENIN where admitted as joining members. Bro. Prince S. I Akenzua (Now Omo N'Oba N'Edo Erediauwa, OBA OF BENIN) and W.Bro. L. O. Ogbeide P.D.S.G.W. were initiated and became the first initiates of the Lodge. In 1964 barely two years after the consecration of Benin Lodge W.Bro. H.R.H. Akenzua II, C.M.G. (Omo N'Oba N'Edo Oba of Benin) was installed in the chair of King Solomon thereby becoming the 1st Benin Monarch to attain that exalted position, on that unique occasion, the R.W Bro. Hon. Justices Lionel Brett Kt. P.D.G.M. graced the installation with his presence and a large number of prominent masons from different parts of the country were present to witness the ceremony. He was honoured with the rank of Past District Junior Grand Deacon the following year. The first secretary became Master in 1966 while his son, W.Bro. A.A.I. Eweka D.G. Supt. Wks. was installed Master in 1986. It is a remarkable achievement that under the mastership of W.Bro. L.O. Ogbeide the present Masonic Hall was designed and constructed by W.Bro. A.I. Eweka and dedicated on Feb. 1973 on which occasion Bro. A.A. Guobadia was installed Worshipful Master. The year 1981 was significant in that W.Bro. W.E. Pemu P.S.G.D., P.D.D.G.M. was in the chair and the Master single handedly provided the former chain link fence round the Hall and planted the flowers which continue to beautify the premises and give Benin Lodge Hall the appearance of the most beautiful Masonic Hall in Nigeria today. At the Annual Communication held in December, 1987 W.Bro. W.E. Pemu, P.S.G.D., was appointed Deputy District Grand Master of the newly created Western Division. On the 29th February,1988, the new division was inaugurated in the hall by theMost Worshipful Pro Grand Master, the Rt. Hon. Lord Cornwallis, OBE, D.L. assisted by a powerful delegation of the Grand Lodge. Right Worshipful Bro. McEwen was installed the District Grand Master. On that occasion W.Bro. W.E.Pemu and W.Bro. Prince A.I. Eweka were handed their letters of offers as Past Junior Grand Deacon and Past Grand Standard bearer respectively. W.Bro E.O.Obianwu was the Worshipful Master on the occasion. Since the consecration, Benin lodge has hosted the District Grand Lodge as follows: A. Half Yearly Communication in June 1974 B. Half Yearly Communication in June 1986 C. Quaterly Communication in December 1989 and D. Half Yearly Communication on 13th June, 1998. The 1974 communication was presided over by Rt. W.Bro Trevor Elmore, the 1986 one by late W.Bro. Dr Chief G.C. Mbanugo while W.Bro.W.E. Pemu presided At the 1989 quarterly communication. The 1998 Half Yearly communications was presided over by W.Bro. M.O. Taiga, ADGM. The attendance at each of these communications was impressive. W.Bro. F.A. Morah was installed Worshipful Master for the year 1989/90 during which as many as six members including Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa were initiated. W.Bro. P.E Agbajoh P.D.G.Chap. who had been Master in 1967 and again in 1980 passed to the Grand Lodge above on 23rd August, 1989. At the funeral service which was attended by several distinguished masons on 30th September at St Andrews Anglican Cathedral , Warri, the Officiating Minister paid tribute to the benevolence of Chief Agbajoh's heart, the sweetness of his temper, and the extra-ordinary endowment of his mind. By his death Benin Lodge lost one of its great masters. A real brother and a true friend. May his soul rest in perfect peace. At the regular meeting held on 6th Octber, 1990, W.Bro. Chief Dr. P.M.O. Oyolu initiated his son, Bro. David Anthony Oyolu. That was the first time in the history of the Lodge that Worshipful Master, in his year of office, had the privilege of initialing his own son. In 1992, the Lodge was again honoured a second time by the appointment of W.Bro. Prince A.I. Eweka as the Deputy District Grand Master for Western Division. In 1992, a crown Prince of Benin, Prince Eheneden Erediauawa,( Edaiken N'Uselu) was elected and installed Master of Benin Lodge. Unfortunately, the lodge suffered the loss of a prominent and energetic member, who was the second initiate of the Lodge in the person of Late W.Bro. L.O. Ogbeide, P.G.Std, B., P.D.G.S.W., P.3RD D.G.P., P.Z., P.M and Secretary of the Lodge. May his soul rest in peace. As at October 1995 all the past Masters of the Lodge with the exception of W.Bro. Fadaka, Hon. Justices Aluyi, W.Bro. Deacon M.O. Omoruyi and W.Bro. B. O. Modebe were honoured with the District Grand Ranks while W.Bro. W.E. Pemu P.D.D.G.M., was promoted P.S.G.D. and W.Bro. A.I. Eweka P.D.D.G.M., P.A.G.D.C. (RA) was also promoted as P.S.G.D. and W.Bro. L.O. Ogbeide P.G. Std. B. As at 4th Jan. 1997 the financial members of the Lodge stood at 34. On 4th September, 1998, the Lodge suffered a great setback due to the demise of W.Bro. J.O. Edosomwan, P.D.J.D. 1999 witnessed a decline in membership which hopefully will improve. On 6th December 2003, The District Grand Lodge of Nigeria made history by the presentation of a plaque by the Rt. W.Bro Adedeji Adedoyin D.G.M. on behalf of the distrct to W.Bro. A.I. Eweka P.S.G.D. P.D.D.G.M. (W) on the occasion of his 80th Birthday - 8th October 2003, and was supported by W.Bro. Chike Offodile P.A.D.G.M., W.Bro. Olorogun M.O. Taiga A.D.G.M., W.Bro. E. O. Obianwu A.D.G.M. and other eminent masons. This is deemed an honour conferred on both Benin Lodge and the recipient. Copyright © 2006. Web
http://beninlodge.com/history.htm

saintdennis:
Nah your tribe is very relevant because it gives me an idea of your heritage.
Personally here in lagos i've seen many royal fathers embarrass themselves so I'm not surprised when they're not venerated.

Imagine olamide seating in-btw ooni n elegushi oba in a pic(laughs)

Anyway we the bini tribes (edo-ondo-delta-lagos) the japs, brits,Spanish, Thai n co...know the significance of its monarchy.

The brits themselves were once paying customs & duties to Rome b4 being colonised(under the roman empire) did It make them abandon their monarchy?

Today you pay money to watch thor, hercules, archilles, spartacus all of whom are mythical tales of the Greeks, norsemen (vikings) etc who they routinely sacrificed human n animals to...but good narratives have given them a more palatable meaning.
Pocahontas story was tweaked into love-story when in truth it WASNT!

That's how good the whites r good @ propaganda.
What u don't get as an African is that we weren't 'that bad' @ all @all...it's just the narrative of the white man.

We lost a war so u wanna abandon ur heritage? Ask the israelites (jews) how far!

I don't know about ur tribe or region but if not for poor maintenance culture the benin moat would be a top tourist site...in the old nigeria ONLY benin city was destroyed by the brits during the punitive expedition. Why?

Our flag/royal banner is still there(in england)

Summary: who funds them ain't our concern, we know their importance...you're an outsider so ergo you won't and SHOULD not understand.

You will live long my brother. To tell the truth, Benin kingdom would have developed to be an advanced country. The structure was already there before the invasion. Most of European structure were not so different from those of Benin kingdom. As at 1914 and 1939, when the first world war and second world war took place, Europeans were nothing other than squabbling, land grabbing countries where a country who found itself stronger than its neighbors would suddenly invade them for no good reason even though they were all cousins. Over 120 years have passed since Benin kingdom was invaded and destroyed, now imagine that we were left alone to prosper. But that is the way of the world, kingdoms rise and fall and rise again. War quickens this process.

Michael1812:
Highly respected for WHAT? If the people of Britain didn't think there was something "magical" about their rancid queen, they would surely have overthrown her.

That's right. What do YOU think you are without your Oba? NOTHING? That would be despicable.

An ACCIDENTAL birth to Edo parents in Edo state is what makes YOU Edo. That's a fact. And that's less important to your humanity. What really counts is that you're a member of the human race. Your Edo identity was artificially constructed, and has no intrinsic value whatsoever.

I know you think that you have made an intelligent reply/analysis, but you only succeeded in showing how far you are willing to go argue for arguement's sake. But the truth is that you fall into the group of people who hate what they dont have. If I am to hazard a guess, I would say you belong to an ethnic group that has no arcane history, beautiful traditional beliefs, respected monarch etc. So you are jealous of what you don't have and hate those who do have them. So my friend, please don't quote me to spew such again. ALL I SAID IS THAT EDO PEOPLE ARE PROUD OF WHO WE ARE INCLUDING OUR TRADITIONS AND CULTURE OF WHICH THE OBA IS THE FULCRUM. YES, WE TRULY ARE PROUD. SAME WAY AN AMERICAN IS PROUD TO BE AMERICAN AND ALWAYS CLING TO WHAT MAKES THEM AMERICANS. Part of the argument against stricter gun laws in the US is that many Americans believe it's part of what makes them Americans, the right to own firearms even though it claims hundreds of lives yearly. Part of the sentiments that made Scotish people to vote "NO" to leaving the UK was because they were not sure if they would retain the royal family in the new Scotland. Against better and professional judgement, the British people voted to leave the EU simply because most Britons wanted to be British, period. It's almost the same way Warri people love their pidgin and their reputation for ruggedness. The list is endless. So don't be a hater. PEOPLE WITH RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE ARE PROUD OF WHAT MAKES THEM WHO THEY ARE AND THE EDOS ARE PROUD. SAME COULD BE SAID FOR YORUBAS, IBOS, IJAWS, FULANI etc.

summerflame:
The Oba of Benin do cover his nose cos benin people don't normally bath and they are stinking, he doesn't want them to polite the needed oxygen.. if it's a lie, the poster above me knows and the poster below me is From Benin, over to the poster below me

Think about what you have typed and ask yourself if those are the words of an intelligent young man. It's not even funny. SMH.

Olufemiolaolu:
What a Backward tradition. His decision isnt supreme any longer. His so called decision shd be supreme on eradication or reduction of prostitution in Edo

His decision is no longer supreme? Well, same with the queen of England but that doesn't stop her and her family from being highly respected. The Oba of Benin is the oldest institution in the Edo state and is highly revered and respected. Tell me, what is the Edo people without our Oba? Edo tradition and culture is what we makes us Edo people. Oba gha to kpe re. ise

joey150:
Africa should get rid of all these things..where was our so called tradition when the white man took us all as slaves.. These things help set us back many thousand years..that is why most of our big strides in development came when we where under our colonial masters.

We keep dwelling on tradition that adds no tangible meaning or advancement to our society at large.

Binis were never taken as slaves. It was prohibited by royal decree. And mind you, being a slave is by choice. There was never a slave who didn't choose to be a slave. The choice may be Slavery or death, but the choice exists. Oba gha to kpere

patriotic9jaboy:
He will forever remain inferior to ooni of ife. He is the only descent of oduduwa

Stupidity becomes you my guy.

Oba agha t'okpe e!.....ise!

macof:
similar tradition with Benin? there's no traditional similarly worth mentioning. you can talk of dressing and songs, maybe accents but Tradition taking it too far bro


also, Yorubas have been where Bini is right now. .we practiced that father to son ascension and it carries a lot of problems
opening ascension to all genuine princes and royal families is what makes yoruba stand out.

My guy, you know not what you say. How can you compare a crown prince that has being prepared for rule since his birth, trained in tradition and culture and given a palace of his own to rule with his own chiefs to a person who comes frrm nowhere to lobby for the throne. A typical example is the gallivanting Ooni of Ife who obviously doesn't know anything about being Ooni.

Oba gha to kpe e

Ok, Atheists don't bliv in the existence if God. I get that. I even respect that because I shows that they control what to believe in. Bt my problem is why the do they hav to create a community of atheists on whatsapp and social media and everywhere to try to trample on d beliefs of others. I mean, u don't believe in God, good 4 u bro. Others bliv in God and many oda stuff. Jst leave them be and be feel Smug because u are wiser, right? I mean, tryin to disprove oda people's belief is almost like tryin to convince yourselves of ur unbelief.
PS: I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH; AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON OUR LORD.....
Believe what you will, jst dnt tell me I'm the fool bro.

aipheee:
I have the materials...payed 1500 to get it but I'll xfer it for free to anyone that needs it. Drop ur emails... You can send me some "ThankYou note" later.

anthonyagboju@gmail.com. thanks

Adaure4ever:
I asked a simple question, why the insult?

Sorry about that. I was just pissed at the naivety of d question. D British empire covered over half of planet earth but in reality England is a small island country. How many states does Ife, people occupy? D old Oyo town dat was d home of d Alafin at d peak of Oyo empire is practically non-existent presently. D current seat of d Alafin is a mere imitation of d old Oyo town. You yorubas hav succeeded in deluding yourselves dat all Yoruba states were always one pple because of d language u all speak (which by the way was made widespread by colonial masters) when infact, Benin controlled a substantial amount of d so called Yorubaland, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos etc. No part of Benin was ever conquered until d British did us and no Benin person was sold to slavery during d slave trade era. Sorry Again, tho.

Adaure4ever:
Why these argument in this thread?
I want to ask a question, if The ancient benin were so powerful, why are they now found in only one state Edo? What exactly happened? They should atleast occupy 4 states.

Dat is because Benin was an Empire. It conquered other lands and people and made dem pay homage and accept d Oba of Benin as Overlord. Same as British Empire. dnt b stupid, pls.

God bless Benin Kingdom.

RE-YORUBA ORIGIN CONTROVERSY :PROF
ADE-AJAYI'S VIEW IS
POLITICISED,ETHNICISED AND
AHSTISTORICAL
By Ewaen Edoghimioya

The interview granted your paper by the
Emeritus Prof J.F.Ade-Ajayi of the University
of Ibadan on the Yoruba origin controversy
and his views are most disappointing and
most unbecoming of an emeritus professor of
his calibre. To say the least, it lacked the
objectivity, professionalism and decorum
which you expected him to bring to the issue.
He allowed his ethnic bias and accompanying
anger to take the better part of him and it
could be seen that he only just managed to
restrain himself from resorting to insults and
abuse. But the harsh tone of his language
were suggestive enough of his disrespect for
the Omo n' Oba n'Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba
Erediauwa who is his elder and a royal father.
As a leading light of African history and
culture, i started to wonder what kind of
African history he was teaching his students
and the kind of example he giving to us
younger historians who are expected to look
up to him.
A reading of the interview shows that Prof
Ajayi have either not read the portion of the
book dealing with the origin of the Oduduwa
published in Nigerian dailies or he was too
disoriented by the content as to be able to
articulate his comments or replies to the
questions posed by the interviewer .
Otherwise, he would not have resorted to
falsifying the Omo n' Obas statements as
contained in the book. The first and major
falsehood he fabricated is his claim that Omo
n' Oba wrote that Egharevba "..has Akoko Edo
blood in him". There is no where in the book
where Omo n'Oba made such a statement.
What Omo n'Oba wrote was ".Apart from the
fact that Edo n Ekue( Edo-Akure partly Benin
and partly Yoruba by birth) blood in the man
"(Egharevba) manifested itself.".So one does
not know how Prof Ade Ajayi got his Akoko
Edo which he used to replace Edo-Akure. He
went further to ask "Akoko Edo people are no
longer under Edo state"? This latter question
based on his fabrications was obviously
aimed at ridiculing the Omo n'Oba as one
who does not know the ethnic belonging or
categorization of the Akoko Edo.
Another outright falsehood is Ade-Ajayi's
statement that ".there is no doubt that
Oranmiyan founded Oyo and he also founded
Benin".To state that Oranmiyan founded
Benin is a mistake which I am sure an
elementary school pupil who studied social
studies in Nigeria will not make. For an
emeritus professor of African history to make
such public gaffe, without retracting it after it
was printed is to say the least disappointing.
Prof Ade-Ajayi's statement is the big lie of
Nigerian history of the twenty first century.
The most terrible blunder of Prof Ade-Ajayi
was the statement that "The Oba of Benin has
no locus standi , as it were to tell the story of
Oranmiyan." If the Omo n'Oba , who is a
direct descendant of Oranmiyan have no locus
standi to tell the story of his forebear, I
wonder who has the local standi? Is it Prof
Ade Ajayi,(though a historian) whom I am
sure cannot even trace the relationship
between his native sub-Ekiti groups relations
with oduduwa.? If anybody have the locus
standi anywhere in the world, it is the direct
descendants of 0ranmiyan of which the Omo
n' Oba is the foremost.
On the professional level, Prof Ade -Ajayi only
exposed his ethnic bias and politiking rather
than engage in historical analysis. The major
areas of his comments in which he abused
professionalism are his use and source of
historical evidence, and definition of a
professional historian. The major plank of
Ade-Ajayi's comments is the claim that "His
(Omo n'Oba's) father used to attend and meet
at the conference of yoruba Obas regularly
during the colonial rule.His own father did
not object to this." This evidence of Oba
Akenzua II attendance of such meetings is one
issue which many a Yoruba historian have
struggled over the years to force down as
"fact" or evidence of history) and they cite the
seating arrangement in the meetings of
Yoruba Obas (attended by Omo n' Oba n'Edo,
Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Akenzua II 1933-1978)
in which the Ooni sat at the head of the table
. This development has been falsified and
projected as evidence of Obas of Benin
subordination to the Ooni of Ife. Though Ade-
Ajayi stated that these meetings were taking
place under colonial rule, he deliberately
refused to state the context and circumstances
in which these meetings took place. This
silence on the context and circumstance
misleads the public into thinking that the
meetings were traditional and customary, and
creates the impression that a relationship of
superiority and /or affinity have always
existed between the Oba of Benin and the
Yoruba Obas and even within the ranks of
Yoruba Obas. Professionally, Ade Ajayi should
have told us why and how these meetings
came into being, the purpose and interest
which they served.
Until Oba Akenzua II, no Oba of Benin
attended any conference or meeting of Yoruba
Obas. Such kind of pan Yoruba Obas meeting
never existed in history as a pan Yoruba
consciousness and state never existed. These
meetings were not started until the late
1930s.Attempts by some Yoruba Obas in
present day Ondo and Ekiti states to pay
customary tributes to Omo n'Oba ,Uku
Akpolokpolo,Oba Eweka II after restoration in
1914 were stopped by the British and
prohibited. This shows that the British were
not interested in such interactions. But in the
late 1930's certain administrative changes
were implemented by the British which
divided Southern Nigeria into Western and
Eastern provinces. The British colonial
administration initiated and instituted these
meetings of Sole Native Authorities (wrongly
called conference of Yoruba Obas) in the
western provinces to discuss and solve
common problems of the provinces. Oba
Akenzua II as the only Sole Native Authority
in Benin Province under the directive of the
colonial government was always "invited" by
the government and was bound to attend. The
meetings were held under the auspices of the
British and it was the administrative
mechanism for foisting regionalism and
formed the basis of the latter western region
house of chiefs which Oba Akenzua II also
attended by virtue of his status as a first class
ruler. While the house of chiefs lasted, the
Egbe Omo Oduduwa and Action group
government foisted Yoruba leadership on the
house. Late Obafemi Awolowo went as far as
trying to control the traditional rulers and
forcing them to toe his party line.He did not
hesitate to subtly threaten or "advise" Oba
Akenzua II on 8th March 1955 to desist from
party politics, and Oba Akenzua reminded
him of the partisanship role of the Ooni and
the Alake. What happened to traditional
rulers in western region who did not toe
Awolowo's party line is well documented.
When Midwest was created , the Omo n' Oba
stopped attending the meetings. That Oba
Akenzua II attended these meetings had
nothing to do with any history or traditional
affinity as Ade Ajayi will want to mislead the
public to believe. It was sheer colonial
administrative politics and later day Action
Group influenced ethnic politics.
Another major and faulty plank of Ade-Ajayi's
comment had to do with evidence.He
haraunge that "He (Omo n' Oba) did nor cite
any evidence". But did not ask a similar
question in the case of Egharevba and went
ahead to uphold Egharevbas work as some
gospel. If I may ask what is difference
between the sources of Omo n'Oba and
Egharevba and are both not based on Oral
traditions? Egharevba selected the oral
traditions which he presented as history and
Omo n'Oba did same. Why the double
standard and what makes Egharevba
traditions acceptable? Is it because his
"traditions" he cite are supportive of Oyo
Yoruba biased history of Samuel Johnson.
Omo n'Oba even went as far as showing the
Akure-Yoruba influence on Egharevba in
order to prove the bias and context of
Egharevba history and this is application of
historical method. Permit me to further
buttress the context and sources of Yoruba
biases and influences on Egharevbas work.
Apart from the Akure ancestry, Egharevba
had part of his early education in Yorubaland,
was a benefactor of Bishop James Johnson(a
Yoruba),he was Anglican (CMS) and worked
with Revd Payne who introduced him to the
CMS Press controlled by the Yoruba
intellingentsia,his first editor was C.J. Smart,
a Yoruba letter writer resident in Benin City,
and was also influenced by Ajisafe another
Yoruba author with whom he consulted for is
publications.
To claim that Egharevba was right to
continuously revise his books was another
gaffe .Ade-Ajayi did not explain the kind of
revision and their basis expected of a
professional. The revisions were not based on
credible evidence and were largely
introduction of materials that suited his
fancy, pet theories and his mentors. All these
are evident in his works. He was continuously
challenged for his biases. Even in his later
life, Egharevba stated that and I quote that
"..Oduduwa was not a Yoruba man. Oduduwa
found the yorubas already living in Ife when
he arrived"(Text of interview 3rd May 1975).
I am sure that if Ade-Ajayi (and the yorubas
whose cause he is championing) were aware
of this , he(they) will start having a second
thought on calling him for evidence to support
their case.
Permit me to ask what qualifies, Egharevba as
a better historian on Benin Kingship history
than the Omo n' Oba? Is it because Egharevba
was the first to write or less educated or less
interested politics than Omo n'Oba?
Egharevba selected the tradition that suited
his fancy and published it to the exclusion of
other traditions.That he was the first to write
neither makes his work nor the traditions he
selected gospel. Egharevba was no less a
politician too and his political leaning was the
(CMS/Yoruba initiated Reformed Ogboni
Fraternity influenced) Benin Tax Payers
Association which was allied to the Action
Group.Other traditions have always existed
and Egharevba attention was drawn to them
and were used to challenge him too.If these
traditions were not published then, it does not
mean that they must be silenced for the sake
of the yorubas. Let all the traditions be
published for critical examination and
enrichment of our history. Ade-Ajayi cannot
just wake up and dismiss one tradition and
try to force his favoured version down our
throat. What he has done is no history , but
politics and an ethnicised one.
EWAEN EDOGHIMIOYA
B.A(Hons) & M.A.History
http://www.edo-nation.net/edoghimioya1.htm

Shymm3x:
There's no point insulting a small kingdom who's claim to fame was based on outright and despicable lies. The knowledge of ya art works, which adore as one of the best civilisations from medieval Africa, came from Ife and Owo. Hence it was more about finesse. Your knowledge of building moat and ya clothes came from Ijebu. Ya crown came from Ife. Almost ya important gods are Yoruba gods. Apart from ya language - what else is quintessentially edoid in the legend of Bini kingdom?

You lot have been telling porkies since the 17th century. You lied to European explorers that you conquered Ijebu kingdom and you never did. Even the European explorers had doubts about the despicable lies and they did write extensively about it cos strangers still weren't allowed into Ijebu kingdom and there were more Ijebu influence on Bini, than the other way around. You lied that you conquered Owo, but it was a stalemate - with no winners. Ditto ya lies about Igala. You were scared of Dahomey, hence you had to get the Ilajes to assist in getting you to Awori farmland in Eko, to build a military post. You didn't even conquer the Aworis and never went further than Eko.

Bini kingdom was a kingdom of edoid groups and apart from artisans who got their knowledge from Ife and Owo - there was nothing special about Bini kingdom. Unlike an Oyo empire that conquered far and wide, and reigned supreme in both the savanna and rain forest. Just bow down and shut it!

What a blabbering FOOL you are.

janellemonae:
Truth is NOBODY cares about ur OBA except u. Same thing goes for every individual tribe. They only rule in their kingdom and among their pple. Nowhere else. DTS just the truth u need to understand.

Tell that to the Yorubas who seem to be obsessed wit Benin.

The whole mystery of the throne of the Oba of Benin is centered on the Divine belief that the Oba is Second to no man, a demigod. We Edos accept and cherish that belief and hereby implore the Yorubas to stop linking our Glorious King to Yoruba Obas who are Oh so Ordinary. We don't want to be associated with anything Yoruba especially their Obas who are little more than TAWDRY (showy but Cheap) ORDINARY men with titles.

Wyttcat:
Benin was NEVER an empire, and there's nothing to show it was ever more than a tiny self-proclaimed kingdom looking for weak hamlets to claim.

These modern day Benin probably came from ibos and ijaws, sacked the natives, the real Bini(now Olukunmi) and claimed the land. The land itself is an extension of Yorubaland. No other story adds up.

What a FOOL.

So very true. Long live the Oba of Benin.

howardriddle:
what experience does he have?

Well since you asked, he kinda is d Founder of Pyrate Confraternity not to mention that he won a Nobel Prize in Literature. Not that that answers your question.

MadCow1:
I guess UNILORIN just tied with UNIBEN for the position of Nigeria's most Useless University award.


It's one thing for a Lecturer to give a foolish instruction, it's another thing for a grown Man to obey a foolish instruction.




And tomorrow you will find these students in the workplace and you would be wondering why a professional has no self confidence in themselves and are so timid.

My guy, Why will you call Uniben?