ENCORE
Last week, I wrote on a brief background of the person of the prodigy, the current Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, where I delved into his educational background, his world of diplomacy, his persona and the Benin Kingship in general. Today, I shall look at some of his achievements within just one year of his glorious reign in office.
The name Oba Ewuare is associated with greatness, finesse, dexterity, bravery, fairness and justice. That perhaps explains why the entire city of Benin went agog in jubilation when Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, made public his name, which was chosen at a place called Useh some days before his coronation last year.
Friday, October 20, 2017, marked one year of his official majesty. Indeed, how time flies. The one year anniversary celebrations climaxed with a thanksgiving service at the Holy Arosa, Benin Traditional Church, with the Chief Priest (Ohen-Osa), Harrison Okao, charging other traditional rulers, palace chiefs, Ohens and community leaders under the Oba to be faithful and honest while relating with the Benin royal father so as to promote peace and harmony in the kingdom. Finally, Okao said that God did not make a mistake in His doings for creating the only two kingdoms in this world, the Benin Kingdom and the United Kingdom.
Some of Oba’s achivements
A retrospection of the one-year reign of Oba Ewuare II speaks volumes. It suffices to say that Benin Kingdom has experienced unusual, tremendous and monumental growth, changes, progress and developments since he ascended the throne last year. No doubt, the revered Oba is committed and resolute in promoting peace and sustainable development. Before Oba Ewuare II ascended the throne of his forefathers in Benin Kingdom on October 20, 2016, the people were faced with different challenges that hindered the pace of development in the various villages, towns and local government areas. Some of these challenges included, but not limited to, difficulties in acquiring and developing land, cases of extortion and intimidation of developers by members of the now outlawed Community Development Associations (CDAs). Leadership tussles, family disputes, especially on issue of inheritance, and boundary disputes between villages or communities were rife. With regard to boundary disputes, the one between Iguomon and Ikhuen-oboh, Egbirhe and Okhoromi are classical examples, where several efforts to settle the matters over the years did not yield result. Furthermore, some Enigie, Edionwere and Ohen were either suspended or relegated to the background by the CDA members in communities and villages, where they were supposed to have suzerainty. With the arrival of Oba Ewuare II, it is no longer business as usual.
In a bid to restore peace, tranquility and sanity in communities, especially in the area of learning, community administration and proscription of CDAs, leadership tussles, family disputes, inheritance, boundary disputes among villages and communities, etc, the Oba propelled the promulagation of the CDAs law.
One of the steps taken so far by the Benin monarch was to commence open mediation, negotiation, conciliation at Ugha-Ozolua and Ogua-emanton in the Oba’s Palace to give opportunity to people, especially women whom culture and tradition had placed certain restrictions on, to present their complaints for adjudication. The open mediation is usually presided over by His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, himself, with groups of palace chiefs in attendance. People usually take their turn every Tuesday and Thursday to present their complaints. The beauty of it all is that during the open mediation, no complaint is presented through proxy, which means that both the complainant and the accused must be present before a matter is entertained. It is a welcome development that has yielded great results between hitherto warring communities and individuals. Ever since the commencement of this traditional way of settling disputes, over 90 different cases have been presided over, while about 70 of the cases have been finally decided. I am amazed and astonished! Most shocking of some of the jubilant and joyous individuals are even non-indigenes. This goes to tell and show that the entire process is a fair, impartial, detribalised nature of the open mediation. No court of law in Nigeria can accomplish this type of feat within only one year.
Those who have obtained justice include Mrs. Ann Aghayere, whose land was forcefully taken from her by the Odionwere and the Ohen in Amagba, and Mrs. Philo Akhere, who was prevented from developing her land in Idunmwungha by youths loyal to the Odionwere. Others are the Enogie of Egba, H.R.H. Palmer Omoregie Uzama, who was suspended by the chairman of the outlawed CDA; the confirmation of Enogie of Uteh-Ekoko, H.R.H. Ogieayevbona Igbinenikao, whose leadership of the village was being contested as the traditional ruler of the village. Others included the Ohen of Azagba, High Priest Nosakhare Ogieriakhi, who was confirmed as the traditional head of Azagba village, as well as the confirmation of Ohen Okun N’Ovun as the head of Iguelaba village in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. Also, the celebrated case of Mrs. Angela Omoruyi, whose husband’s family members (Okunmafi family), were oppressing her, along with her children, after the death of her husband. The Oba of Benin did not only save the woman and her children from the shackles of the Okunmafi family, but also offered scholarship to the first son of the deceased, Master Efosa Divine Omoruyi. This is incredible! These landmark judgments by the Palace have no doubt restored hope to the seemingly despondent people and this has brought peace as well as laid to rest the crises or agitations that had persisted in those communities in the past. I must also commend the way and manner in which contentious cases have been resolved with ease and speed. Let me say this, if Oba Ewuare II were to be a judge of superior record in our own judicial system, numerous pending cases would by now have been decided.
One pertinent question begging for answer is this: what punishment awaits violators of the judgments delivered by the royal palace? This is because some of the fresh cases brought before the royal palace under revered Oba Ewuare II had earlier been settled during the reign of his father, iconic Oba Erediauwa of blessed memory. Such litigants, it is submitted, must be dealt seriously with to serve as a deterrence to those who might opt for recidivism. As a very educated and well-travelled monarch, Oba Ewuare II has initiated the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee, which is made up of retired justices and lawyers, who are expected to adjudicate on matters brought before it. This is geared towards fostering peace and harmonious co-existence among the people. This committee is headed by respected Supreme Court, Honourable Justice Samson Uwaifo (rtd).
Another striking achievement of Oba Ewuare II was that, at his coronation, he paid glowing tribute to his late mother who died in 1976, before the late Oba Erediauwa could ascend the throne. In consonance with the Benin custom and tradition, Oba Ewuare II conferred the eternal status of “Iyoba,” Queen mother, on his mother posthumously. Never in the history of Benin Kingdom has this been done. The historical pronouncements by Oba Ewuare II since his coronation has enriched Benin history and tradition, and has opened up new vistas and pages in the history book of Benin royalty. No doubt, these are great signs of good things to come during the reign of Oba Ewuare the second.
Indeed, Oba Ewuare II, has started demonstrating the spirit of Ewuare I in him by bringing some remarkable innovations to the Kingdom. For instance, the palace of the Oba of Benin has been given a facelift of modernity. There is now a new royal crest or logo with the motto “Amamieson Aimiuwa,” meaning, “no pain, no gain”. What this implies is that the Oba believes strongly in dignity of labour and selfless service to humanity, which he enjoins every son and daughter of the Kingdom to imbibe and inculcate.
Oba Ewuare II, in his bid to reawaken the declining Benin culture and tradition, which was fast depreciating, has decreed that Benin language must be spoken by all Binis at home and in the Diaspora. In addition, the Oba instituted the annual Oba Erediauwa Lecture Series and Oba Ewuare II Foundation, to promote the teaching and learning of Benin history and language. The Oba Ewuare II Foundation is made up of different components. This includes the scholarship scheme for indigent students, especially those who exhibit uncommon knowledge and interest in Benin language. Fantastic!!! It is on record now that some students are already benefitting from this scholarship scheme.
To ensure that citizens survive in this clime of recession, Oba Ewuare II, in his wisdom, set up a special food items market, located at Urubi in Benin City. This market holds every Sunday and it is to provide opportunity for the poor, whose purchasing power has been weakened by the harsh economic reality in Nigeria, to enable them buy food items at a very low price.
In the area of sculpture, the Benin Royal Academy for Performing Arts, which will be at the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre in Benin City, will help train young ones in the arts, culture, craft, dance and language of the people. Consequently, the Oba has called on government at all levels in Edo State to make the teaching and learning of Bini language a must by including it in the school curriculum. Oba Ewuare II has initiated the need to provide jobs for the youths, through the Igun league of bronze casters in Benin City, which would be supported to improve and expand their trade in order to be better positioned to train more Bini youths in the art of bronze casting, arts and craft, as well as make it a tourist attraction. This is in realisation of the fact that culture, arts and tourism can provide jobs and fetch income for individuals and the country, if properly harnessed. Towards achieving this goal, Oba Ewuare II has established a foundry at Ogonerie, in Upper Sokponba Road, Benin City.
The Edos, especially the Binis (and even settlers), have expressed happiness, fulfillment, contentment and satisfaction that Oba Ewuare II has brought back the progressive and developmental strides and unity of purpose of Oba Ewuare I. The unity of the Binis cannot be compromised this time around. With Oba Ewuare II, the people now have a father figure and avatar who is ready to provide both spiritual, traditional and developmental leadership for his people. Little wonder that Oba Ewuare II is already providing an umbrella big enough to accommodate and protect the Binis and Edos wherever they exist on this Planet Earth.
The Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, must be accorded his well-deserved reverence and honour by the Binis and non-Binis alike.
To the Binis, they are happy. I am happy that some of those great achivements that our forefathers discussed in forklores during the reign of Oba Ewuare I are back. These include unity, peace tranquility and progress. According to a Benin cliché, “Akugbe oretin,” which means, there is strength in unity. This Oba is a great performer. (Concluded).
Oba gha to kpere, Iseeee.