Benin City, the Edo State capital, literarily agog on Saturday, October 08, 2016 as the Benin Crown Prince, His Royal Highness (Amb.) Eheneden
Erediauwa, the Edaiken N’ Uselu, left Uselu, his temporary abode for the past
three months, for Udin Amamieson Amiuwa, as part of the activities signaling
his coronation ceremony as the new Oba of Benin Kingdom.
Erediauwa, the Edaiken N’ Uselu, left Uselu, his temporary abode for the past
three months, for Udin Amamieson Amiuwa, as part of the activities signaling
his coronation ceremony as the new Oba of Benin Kingdom.
As early as 9am, various cultural troupes, like the Iten Edo
Theatre Group, Benin Royal Dynasty Trust Dance, had already converged on Uselu,
rendering melodious songs and entertaining guests, even as thousands of
residents and onlookers trooped to Uselu to catch a glimpse of the historic
event.
Theatre Group, Benin Royal Dynasty Trust Dance, had already converged on Uselu,
rendering melodious songs and entertaining guests, even as thousands of
residents and onlookers trooped to Uselu to catch a glimpse of the historic
event.
The Crown Prince came out at about three minutes past 1pm to
acknowledge his guests before returning to his abode.
acknowledge his guests before returning to his abode.
Dressed in a red cap, royal white top and a golden wrapper,
the Edaiken stopped briefly at the sacred palm tree at about 4:30pm for a short
ceremony.
the Edaiken stopped briefly at the sacred palm tree at about 4:30pm for a short
ceremony.
He also had brief stopovers at Ekoha where the Uselu chiefs
took leave of him for the Benin chiefs to take over, and at Iyaro for some
traditional rites.
took leave of him for the Benin chiefs to take over, and at Iyaro for some
traditional rites.
He was accompanied by Benin chiefs as well as different
traditional groups and societies as the
prince moved on foot.
traditional groups and societies as the
prince moved on foot.
There was also a heavy presence of security operatives from
the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence
Corps.
the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence
Corps.
The crown prince arrived at Eko-Ohae at about 6:35, where he
is expected to spend three days before leaving for the Usama palace for the
coronation rituals to continue on Monday, October 10, 2016
is expected to spend three days before leaving for the Usama palace for the
coronation rituals to continue on Monday, October 10, 2016
Commenting on the ceremony, the Esogban of Benin, Chief
David Edebiri, said, “This is the first step of the threshold to the throne of
Benin. It is very historic, very important.”
David Edebiri, said, “This is the first step of the threshold to the throne of
Benin. It is very historic, very important.”
On his part, a commissioner in the Edo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission
(EDSOPADEC), Mr. Victor Ekhator, said it marks a dawn of a new era in Benin history, as the people get a new king.
Mrs. Omouwa Omoregie said the three months spent by the Crown Prince in Uselu,
ushered in peace and tranquility to the people of the community. She said this
is her first time of witnessing a coronation of a new king of Benin and that
she was in a better position to relate the story to her children.
(EDSOPADEC), Mr. Victor Ekhator, said it marks a dawn of a new era in Benin history, as the people get a new king.
Mrs. Omouwa Omoregie said the three months spent by the Crown Prince in Uselu,
ushered in peace and tranquility to the people of the community. She said this
is her first time of witnessing a coronation of a new king of Benin and that
she was in a better position to relate the story to her children.
Chief Osamede Adun (alias Bob Izua), the Ayobahan of Benin
Kingdom, said he was 25 years old when the late Oba Erediauwa was crowned king
but that today, he is a chief in the palace and that he was happy to join in
the trek to Benin.
Kingdom, said he was 25 years old when the late Oba Erediauwa was crowned king
but that today, he is a chief in the palace and that he was happy to join in
the trek to Benin.
“Today, it is a special day to all the chiefs in the palace
that our father, the Crown Prince, is
leaving Uselu for Benin.
that our father, the Crown Prince, is
leaving Uselu for Benin.
We are very happy for it.
That is the reason
you can see all the chiefs here dressed in white, to follow him down to Benin.
you can see all the chiefs here dressed in white, to follow him down to Benin.
“When the late king of Benin was crowned, I was 25 years. I
was not made a chief of the palace then. I know the history.
was not made a chief of the palace then. I know the history.
Today, I am the
happiest person on earth because as a chief, I have easy access to the king.
happiest person on earth because as a chief, I have easy access to the king.
Where I am with the king, can you get there? As a press man, you will be some where in front while I
will be sitting right with the king.
will be sitting right with the king.
He is now for everybody.
He is my king and
he is also your king”, he said. He described the Crown Prince as a man who abhors lies and derives
pleasure in the truth.
he is also your king”, he said. 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.
be closer or be his friend, tell him the truth.
And ones he finds out that you
are not truthful, he will not be happy with you.
are not truthful, he will not be happy with you.
I am advising all 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 f you”, he said.
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 f you”, he said.
Chief Ada Igbinovia, the Edosomwan of Benin Kingdom, said
those who are witnessing the coronation ceremony should count themselves very
lucky as it is not what one experience often, adding that he is very happy to
be part of the ceremony.
those who are witnessing the coronation ceremony should count themselves very
lucky as it is not what one experience often, adding that he is very happy to
be part of the ceremony.
He said he very strong to trek to Benin as he had done
it before.
it before.
A centenarian, Chief Osarobo Orue, the Oba Iyekeagbon of
Benin Kingdom, who is witnessing the coronation of the third Oba of Benin, said
the reign of the new Oba of Benin will be more peaceful than his predecessors,
stressing that since he came to Uselu, there has been a lot of peace in the
land.
Benin Kingdom, who is witnessing the coronation of the third Oba of Benin, said
the reign of the new Oba of Benin will be more peaceful than his predecessors,
stressing that since he came to Uselu, there has been a lot of peace in the
land.
“This is my 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.
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
