Oshiomhole, Messiah of Edo — Edo Crown Prince

THE Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, yesterday, described Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State as the Messiah that God gave the people of the state, saying that those angry that the governor enjoys close relationship with the Benin royal family should have a rethink.

Governor Oshiomhole

The Ediaken, who said that the Benin traditional institution “shall not fall, cannot fall, we can only go further,” told the governor when he paid him a thank you visit at Government House, Benin City, that his close affinity and respect for Benin traditional institution led to the unity and progress being witnessed in the state and prayed that the ancestors will continue to protect him as he looks towards his exit from office.

The Crown Prince also expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for receiving him recently when he went to inform the president of his movement to Uselu as Ediaken, just as he thanked Oshiomhole for facilitating the visit which he described as very successful.

Addressing members of the State Executive Council and top palace chiefs in the kingdom, the Crown Prince said, “Oshiomhole started very well and my prayer is that God and our ancestors will bring his tenure to an unblemished end in Edo State. He is the messiah of everything in Edo State. I have not seen anything to change my mind up till now. I asked anybody with a contrary opinion to contradict what I said but I have not seen anybody to contradict me up till now.

“I just want to say that this visit here today is basically a thank you visit for many reasons. I want to thank our governor for the many things he has done in the state. He has laid a very strong foundation for democratic process, democratic development, he brought the one-man one-vote to the fore.”

Oshiomhole, Messiah of Edo — Edo Crown Prince

Benin Crown Prince Eheneden formally becomes Edaiken N’Uselu

The heir-apparent to the Benin throne, His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa was on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 formally initiated into the Royal Palace Chamber of Iwebo in conformity with the Benin custom.

Prince Eheneden

The colourful event which lasted for seven days took place in the Royal Chambers of the Iwebo group. The event was officiated by the Iwebo chiefs led by their functioning Head, Chief Eribo in the absence of Chief Uwangue, Head of the Iwebo group.

At the end of the seven-day event, the Crown Prince in company of many chiefs, prominent Edos and other well-wishers moved from the Palace of the Oba to the Royal Palace of Edaiken N’Uselu to formally assume his position as the Edaiken of Uselu. This is a precursor to assuming the title of the Oba of Benin

It was indeed a moment of historical reality and royal grandeur with sonorous traditional songs, and a complimentary outpouring of affections and solidarity from the people for His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Ehenede, Edaiken N’Uselu.

There are three main societies in the Oba’s Palace namely Iwebo, Iweguae and Ibiwe. Each society occupies its own section of the Palace and entry into it is by special initiation usually lasting seven days. They were established during the reign of Oba Ewuare the Great in the 15th Century. In the 16th Century, two Obas, namely Esigie (1504 A.D.) and Ehengbuda (1550 A.D.) carried out reforms in Iwebo and Iweguae societies respectively.

Iwebo, the most senior society takes charge of the royal ward-robe and regalia, making and repairing the coral bead garments and ornaments used by the Oba on ceremonial occasions. In the past, this society used to oversee financial matters, trade and commerce. With the exception of Oloton, all the other six members of the Uzama have to be initiated into lwebo society as nominal members before they can assume their titles. The Oba’s eldest son on being initiated into it, has to attain the rank of Uko N’Iwebo (like every other member aspiring to a Chieftaincy title) before he is formally conferred with the title of Edaiken of Uselu.

Iweguae is the centre of all the Palace activities and is next to Iwebo in seniority. Occupying the central position, this section of the Palace is the residence of the Oba and, therefore, its members provide him with his personal and domestic services. It is only after his coronation that the Oba can enter into lweguae and stay. Chief Oloton is the only other Uzama who is a nominal member of this society.

Ibiwe is the third society in the Palace and its duty is to look after the Oba’s harem; the welfare of his wives and children. In this regard, As in the case of lweguae, the Oba can only enter this section after his coronation when he has to inherit all the assets and liabilities.

Benin Crown Prince Eheneden formally becomes Edaiken N’Uselu

Breaking: Oba of Benin indisposed, says Traditional Council

The Benin Traditional Council on Monday announced that the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, is indisposed, after weeks of speculation over his health.

The council, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Mr. Frank Irabor, also suspended ‎public engagements in the palace, including settlement of disputes, “until further notice.”

It, however, urged all palace chiefs and functionaries ‎to perform their “routine traditional duties as usual.”

‎The statement read, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that, in the Palace parlance, ‘Uhunmwun ve Ekpen vb‎’ Ato,’ meaning the Leopard is ill in the Savannah bush. The explanation is that Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolopkolo, Erediauwa, CFR, Oba of Benin is indisposed.

“‎Public engagements, including courtesy visits, hearing of complaints from individuals, families and communities, and in particular, complaints over inheritance and land disputes, are therefore suspended until further notice. All palace chiefs and functionaries are to note that their routine traditional duties continue as usual.”

Breaking: Oba of Benin indisposed, says Traditional Council