His Royal Majesty Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku
Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, the monarch of Benin Kingdom has joined his
ancestors. He was 92 years old.
According to authoritative sources
within and outside Edo State, the well-regarded king transited to the
great beyond about two weeks ago. His death is still being kept secret
because by Benin tradition, the death of an Oba could only be officially
announced 30 days after his transition.
The Oba was said to have died in his
palace. Immediately he was confirmed dead by his personal physician, a
delegation of senior Benin chiefs went to the house of the heir apparent
to the throne, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa to inform him of the
development.
Investigations by ionigeria.com
revealed that the Oba died about two days before the campaign rally of
the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Major
General Mohammadu Buhari in Benin City. Buhari had his rally in Benin
City on Thursday, January 29, 2015. That is why the Monarch could not
receive Major General Buhari.
Similarly, when President Goodluck
Jonathan visited Benin City for his campaign rally, he was only received
at the palace by a team of Benin chiefs led by the Iyase, Chief Sam
Igbe.
Oba Erediauwa was born in 1923, son
of Oba Akenzua II. Before being crowned he was known as Prince Solomon,
Aiseokhuoba, Igbinoghodua Akenzua. He attended Edo College, Benin City,
Government College, Ibadan then Yaba College, before going to King’s
College, Cambridge to study Law and Administration. He joined the
Eastern Nigeria Civil Service in 1957 as a District Officer, later
moving to the Federal Civil Service where he retired as Permanent
Secretary, Ministry of Health in 1973. For a short period he was the
regional representative of Gulf Oil. In 1975 he was appointed
Commissioner for Finance in Bendel State during the Military
Administration of Major-General George Agbazika Innih.
Ascending to the throne as the 38th
Oba of Benin on 23 March 1979. During this period, he several times
acted as a peacemaker between politicians. For example, he intervened in
a dispute between Abia State governor Orji Uzor Kalu and Tony Anenih,
Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party Board of Trustees, and
resolved another face-off involving Anenih and former Edo State Governor
Lucky Igbinedion. More recently, he tried to broker peace between the
feuding members of Edo State House of Assembly.
It would be recalled that his wife, Queen Esther died about a year ago.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
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Title : Oba of Benin joins his ancestors
Description : His Royal Majesty Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, the monarch of Benin Kingdom has joined his ancestors. He was 92 years o...
