Oba Erediauwa
the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo,
Oba Erediauwa, has died.
The monarch’s
demise was officially announced by Adams Oshiomhole, the Governor of Edo State,
on Friday.
“Our hearts
are heavy, laden with pains and grief, at the announcement of the passing to
glory… of our highly revered Oba…,” Mr. Oshiomhole said in a 431-word statement
announcing the king’s death.
Almost one
year ago, the monarch, who ascended the throne in 1979, was rumoured to have
passed on after an undisclosed illness.
The rumour
became widespread after the campaign trail of then president, Goodluck
Jonathan, landed in Benin in February 2015, and the Oba was conspicuously
absent.
Frank Irabor,
Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, quickly moved to dispel the
rumours.
“They have
been peddling that rumour for more than a year now, because the Oba has not
been coming out,” Mr. Irabor said in a statement.
One month
later, a delegation of princes and chiefs in the Benin Kingdom, led by Ada
Erediauwa, visited Abuja to convey the King’s assurance of his victory at the
polls.
However, a
few days later, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom, Eheneden Erediauwa; the Iyase
(Prime Minister), Sam Igbe; and some traditional chiefs declared that the
monarch had not endorsed any candidate for the election.
Eheneden had
been formally installed as the Edaiken of Uselu, the heir apparent to the
throne on March 7, 2015.
One of the
last public appearances of Oba Erediauwa was his handing of Red Egbeigben, the
highest Benin traditional attire, to Mr. Jonathan.
Prince
Solomon Aiseokhuoba Igbinoghodua Akenzua (later known as Oba n’Oba Erediauwa)
was 56 when he succeeded his father, Oba Akenzua 11, on March 23, 1979.
Born on June
22, 1923, the young prince attended Government College, Ibadan, in 1939, from
where he gained admission into Yaba College six years later.
Afterwards,
he was admitted into King’s College, Cambridge, to study Law and
Administration.
In 1957, he
returned to Nigeria to join the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service as a District
Officer.
He retired
from the civil service in 1973 and became the regional representative for Gulf
Oil Company. Two years later, he was appointed the Commissioner for Finance by
the military administration of Major-General George Innih.
Omo n’Oba
n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, the 38th Oba of Benin, was an author,
peace advocate, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
In his
statement, Mr. Oshiomhole described him as a thoroughbred bureaucrat who was
“brave, fearless and punchy”.
Highly Respected UKU Opolopolo RIP. BABA.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace
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