From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Speaker, Edo State Youth Parliament, Rt. Hon. Osawemwenhio Uwagboe, yesterday, said the nomination of His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, as one of those conferred with the honour of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), is an indication that President Muhammadu Buhari has a knack for excellent.
He said this while speaking with newsmen in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Hon. Uwagboe said there are no other persons that are suitable for the honour following the numerous antecedence that has trailed the reign of the Oba since he ascended the throne of his father.
Uwagboe said President Muhammadu Buhari has been keeping records of the numerous works of the Oba and has seen him as a king who has always made cases for the citizens of the state.
He said the Oba was instrumental to the state having two ministerial slots because he asked the president to grant him that request and the president did and that, today, the state is having two ministers.
The Speaker also said, as a king who means well for his people and the country, he (the Oba) has continuously called and led his traditional rulers in prayers for the security of life and property of the citizens of the state and the country at large.
He said the long quest of the Oba on the return of the Benin Artifacts to their original abode has been yielding positive results and that the president is quite aware of that adding that all these actions stood him out among other paramount rulers in the country.
Uwagboe said when the country was brought to its knees due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and there was a lockdown, many families have no foods to eat, but that the Oba singlehandedly gave palliatives to many homes.
He said such a kind gesture gave succours to many homes adding that, that shows how caring he is as a father.
He said the Oba has also constantly said that the Benin throne is apolitical and that he is a father to all and that is the reason he advises any politicians that comes to seek his blessings, to play the game by its rules as politics would come and go but the people will remain.
He said conferring the award on the Oba of Benin, is an honour done to the people of the state and that this would encourage other traditional rulers to toe the line of the Benin monarch who has always put his people first.