By Eben Enasco Kingsley, Benin City
The customs and values of the Bini Nation will be sluiced and reformed according to the pledges made by the new Oba of Bini Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo
The Oba made the assurance in his acceptance speech shortly after his installation as the 40th Oba by Seven (Kingmakers) the Uzama chiefs, led by Chief Edionwe Oliha, the Oliha of Benin Kingdom at Urhokpota recently in the state capital.
Recall that Oba Ewuare succeeded his father, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa whose transition was officially announced on April 29, 2016, by Benin Traditional Council.
The monarch, who reiterated the Obaship in Benin kingdom when it started during the era of Eweka 1, said it may not be too correct, and that the beginning of Obaship in the ancient kingdom actually started from OROMIYAN, the father of Eweka 1, who though left the kingdom due to circumstances, he however laid the foundation which his son, Eweka, built upon.
Consequently, he said, “I deemed it necessary at this point to accord Orominyan his due place in the scheme of things, stressing that; with the action, he is the 40th king of the kingdom and not the 39th Oba as expected.
The new Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, who disclosed that his reign would bring about cultural reawakening and promotion of customs and values of the Benin people, noted that it was imperative to give premium attention as its values gradually fades away.
“I accept in humility the destiny of expression of our culture and history of our people.
“Some of the eroding ideas and cultural heritage that have us proud will be reawakened and sustained with time.’’
Ewuare further pointed out that, customs and traditions gave people identity for ages despite religious and ethnic differences while adding, “We shall strive to ensure that conflicts are resolved between individuals, families and communities using the principles of social justice, while promoting harmony with our neighbors with cultural diplomacy. ”
“We will also address the real issue of security, welfare and reform palace administration for dispensation of justice, equity and stability of the Kingdom.
Ewuare maintained that the culture, especially the Bini language, should be incorporated into school curriculum as that would serve our wards to grab it from the onset.
“I insist that we speak the language in our homes because it is imperative to maintain our culture as it is and remains the only unifying factor in Benin. I also want to appeal to relevant government agencies to include Edo language in school curriculum as it remains the only link among the people. ‘’he emphasized.
While paying glowing tribute to his father (Oba Erediauwa) for his exemplary qualities as oba in the comity of traditional rulers in Nigeria and in Africa and promised to sustain his legacies saying, an annual lecture series will henceforth hold in his memory.
He said “since the Oba remains the only channel of communication between the ancestors and the people, we shall truthfully discharge these duties.
The Monarch pledged that the palace would remain non-partisan; adding, “we will always offer prayers to the ancestors to provide us with the right kind of leaders who will provide good leadership to the people and accord respect to the traditional institution.’
Similarly, he said effort will be made to ensure the proposed Gelegele Sea port sees the light of day and turned into a processing zone.
The coronation of the Monarch coincided with his birthday, as he was born October 20, 1953.
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, who represented the President, Muhammadu Buhari, appreciated the role played by the immediate past Oba of Benin and expressed the hope that Oba Ewuare 11 will build on the legacies of his father, and take the Benin kingdom to greater heights.
The president assured the monarch of the continued support of government.
Earlier, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who presented Staff of Office to the royal father said the kingdom is fortunate to have the new king who is well groomed.
He said he has no doubt that Ewuare 11 has what it takes to pilot the affairs of the Benin kingdom, stressing that he is confident that the kingdom will grow under his reign.
