Edo declares holiday as Benin crown prince picks name

The crown prince of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Eheneden Erediauwa, on Tuesday visited Use community in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, where he picked a name he would bear as the new Oba.

The ceremony was part of the traditional rites ahead of Eheneden’s coronation on Thursday.

 When our correspondent visited Use at about 2.30pm, many residents were seen rushing towards the palace, while those that arrived earlier were seen around the perimeter fence of the building.

Various traditional groups, including Benin chiefs, were also present.

Eheneden arrived at about 4pm in company with his royal entourage and received a rousing welcome from a large crowd, who showered praises on him.

He proceeded to the palace with the Edigin N’Use, Ekpen Kelvin Edigin.

The heir apparent later played the traditional game of pebbles (Akhue) while a large crowd of residents watched with admiration.

Although, the name chosen by the prince was not announced after the game, it was learnt that it would be made public on Thursday.

Eheneden later proceeded to Ugbo shrine where he prayed for God’s guidance and protection.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has declared Thursday as a public holiday.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the public holiday was declared in honour of the crown prince.

Ihonvbere added that the holiday would give residents of the state the opportunity to witness the coronation and ensure a hitch-free exercise.

Also, in preparation for the coronation of the new Oba, an adjustment has been made in traffic flow within the state capital and alternative routes provided for motorists.

The coronation planning committee said the adjustment  would take effect from midnight of October 18.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of Media and Publicity Sub-committee, Josef Omorotionmwan, the committee listed some of the affected roads as Airport Road, Sapele Road, Sakponba and Akpakpava.

…5,000 policemen to be deployed for coronation

The Edo State Police Command has said that no fewer than 5,000 policemen would be deployed on Thursday in Benin for Prince Eheneden Erediauwa’s coronation.

The Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, said the deployment became necessary due to the large number of personalities expected to attend the event and the need to provide adequate security.

Gwandu spoke on Tuesday while parading 44 suspects arrested for various offences including kidnappings, pipeline vandalism, cultism and communal land tussles.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Joshak Habila, had prior to the September 28 governorship election promised that the police would provide adequate security during the coronation.

 Gwandu said that the police had decided to remain proactive to make sure that the peace in the state was not disturbed by unwanted individuals.

He said, “We have  information that the occasion is attractive to the international community, ambassadors from the USA, ambassadors from the UK, our neighbouring countries, our paramount rulers, and of course, the crème de la crème of the society.

“So, we have to ensure that the society is safe (and) our people are protected. We will do everything humanly possible to protect the citizens, prevent the influx of misguided elements because of these important dignitaries that are coming.”

Oba of Benin’s Coronation Fixed for Oct 20

The Benin Traditional Council has announced October 20, 2016 as new date for the coronation of His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Ehenede Erediauwa, Edaiken N’Uselu as the new Oba of Benin.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Coronation Planning Committee, HRH, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, Enogie of Evbobanosa, who addressed journalists at the palace ground Benin City.

He said the earlier date for the coronation, Monday 26th September, 2016, was changed due to the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the date for the governorship election in Edo state which was originally scheduled for Saturday 10 September, 2016, was now moved to Wednesday 28th September, 2016.

Following the announcement of the new coronation date, HRH Akenzua said: “ The Edaiken N’Uselu will now depart finally from Uselu to Eko-Ohae on the 8th of October, 2016. His Royal Highness will normally perform some important ceremonies connected with the coronation everyday for 7-10 days prior to the day of his final departure from Uselu.

“We like to inform the general public that from the day the Edaiken N’Uselu leaves Uselu for Eko-Ohae, the use of coral beads by those who are normally entitled will be restored and the current use of “omo n’orhue” (white beads) will be discontinued. Furthermore, burial ceremonies are prohibited throughout the period of the coronation process”.

Endorsement of Ize-Iyamu tears Benin palace chiefs apart

Some chiefs in the palace of the Oba of Benin have disagreed over the endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, for the September 28 governorship election.

A group of the chiefs belonging to the Egha Evbo’ Nore (town chiefs) had last week adopted the PDP candidate at the residence of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

The Eson of Benin Kingdom, Chief Amos Osunbor, who prayed for Ize-Iyamu on behalf of others, had recalled the contributions of the governorship candidate’s father, the late Chief R. O.Ize-Iyamu, as a former Esogban of Benin.

Other chiefs present were the Odeobawu of Benin, Chief Douglas Usoh; the Uwayoba of Benin, Chief Solomon Ogbewe; and the Osagiobariase, Chief Jackson Amure.

But another group of palace chiefs, led by the Obazelu of Benin, Chief Osaro Idah, condemned the action, which he described as laughable and warned those involved not to drag the palace into partisan politics.

The Obazelu, who is also the state Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, explained that if the palace must speak on any issue, it would do so through the Iyase of Benin or the Esogban of Benin, alleging that the said endorsement came from card-carrying members of the PDP.

He, therefore, noted that the said chiefs spoke for themselves, rather than the entire chiefs in the palace of the Oba of Benin Kingdom.

Idah also disclosed that the palace was in search of one Arase, whom he said peddled false information in several villages that the palace had requested residents to vote for the PDP.

He, however, noted that the impostor had been suspended from the palace, not as a chief but as a palace attendant.

Idah explained, “Arase has since been suspended from participating in palace activities; he wore palace dress and some beads in order to be seen as a chief. He started going from village to village to meet the elders to vote for the PDP.

“We have been looking for him to face the full wrath of the law because he is not a chief. I am the Obazelu of Benin Kingdom. I am qualified to know who is the Igiehon of Benin. I deal more with Igiehons.”

While reiterating the neutrality of the palace, Obazelu said that the palace would not hesitate to hand over impostors to the police.

He added, “Once they are caught, the palace will mete out necessary sanctions. They are not chiefs. They have been hiding since we heard about their activities. Once we catch them, we will hand them over to the police.

“The palace will never call for support for any candidate. We always pray for the best to emerge. We are going to report to appropriate sections of the palace to look into such defaults.”