CROWN Prince of Benin Kingdom, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa has described the passing of Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Oba Erediauwa as emotional.
Speaking in his Uselu palace during a condolence visit by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Eheneden Erediauwa said he is probably the first Crown Prince in the history of Benin Kingdom that has been so close to father.”
Earlier, Oshiomhole told the Crown Prince how the kingdom was “shattered by this very sad news. In my formal tribute, I have already made a statement that represents my evaluation of the life and times of our royal majesty. But, in all of that, we know that kings will come, kings will transit, but our joy even in the midst of this grief is that we are fortunate, indeed very fortunate that in spite of the vacuum left by the departure of His Royal Majesty, we have in your Royal Highness a true royal Crown Prince that has already gone through all the rigours of life, and sufficiently travelled and held sensitive diplomatic positions in most strategic countries.
“So, your Royal Highness, I commiserate with you, I commiserate with the royal family, and indeed the great people of Benin Kingdom and the great people of Edo State.”
The Crown Prince thanked the governor for the visit but reiterated the Oba’s transition was and is still “really an emotional moment for everybody and me knowing how close I was to my father. The elders here know how close I was to my father, and I am probably known as the first Crown Prince in the history of Benin Kingdom that has been so close to his father.
“It’s been said far and wide that the Oba’s eldest son doesn’t see his father; they don’t meet each other, that they are far apart. So, he knew my ways and I knew his ways. So, I can beat my chest and say I understand certain inner workings of the mind of my dear father.
“So, your Excellency, I want to thank you even though I have expressed this gratitude to you before. I want to thank you for the support you have been giving to Benin people, Edo State in general and especially the royal family..
“So, if we have God on our side, we will always be on top. We always pray to God and our ancestors to be on our side, and we don’t say to the contrary. So, your Excellency, I want to thank you again, and I pray that you end your tenure peacefully without tarnish. I also want to thank you for the support you are giving the investors in the state. I saw the investment meeting you had with Wells Carlos Farms investment drive. I think that also speaks volume that Edo State now has more investors. I will do my best to justify the confidence you reposed in me by your remarks. I think I have good people to guide me, good people to advise me.
“We will keep you informed about the next event. I still want to thank President Muhammadu Buhari through you, again.”
Meanwhile, Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan has described the death of Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa as a great loss to the people of Benin and Nigerians in general.
Akinruntan, who described the late monarch as a traditional and cultural hero, said he was one of the monarchs that truly projected the tradition and culture of his people undiluted.
Oba Erediauwa, he said, will be remembered as one of the finest and brilliant traditional rulers in the country whose opinions always carried weight.
Oba Akinruntan, who is the chairman of Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee, said: “Erediauwa is not only brilliant and intelligent, I always admire him as a culture hero. He represented the essence of Bini tradition, which has survived adulteration of modern day civilisation.”
Also, Afenmai Patriots has condoled with the people of Bini Kingdom and the Edo State Government on the passing of Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.
Coordinator of the group, Dr Kennedy Izuagbe and the interim spokesman, Mr Lucky Anyia, in a statement in Benin City described the death of the revered monarch as a huge loss to the people of Edo State particularly at this period when his wealth of experience was greatly needed.
The group noted with nostalgia his sterling leadership qualities which helped to translate to peace and tranquility across Edoland.
Afenmai Patriots further described the late Omo N’Oba as a non-triabalised monarch, a man of honour, integrity and above all a first class technocrat