JOHN NWOKOCHA writes on the historical and cultural significance of the first official visit to Abuja, by the Oba of Benin, Omo N ‘Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolor
Penultimate Wednesday, the Oba of Benin, Omo N, ‘Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, made a historic visit royal to Abuja, after his coronation in October 2016.
The Oba on arriving the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 5:05pm, was received by some Benin traditional chiefs, prominent Benin indigenes and friends.
Historic visit
Among the prominent Benin people was John Odigie Oyegun, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the airport to receive the monarch. He said the visit by the Oba was “historic” being his first after his coronation.
“The Oba’s visit is bringing peace, hope to the country and change in the nation.
“Everybody here as you can see came to give him a rousing welcome. It is a historic occurrence, our new Oba, a unique Oba with a unique culture.
“We also have a unique president in the person of Muhammadu Buhari with a unique way of doing things. A lot of good things will come out of this visit,’’ he said.
It is not common for a monarch to leave his domain on visits to other territories, but the Oba of Benin, undertook the historic tour to Abuja and the fringes of the Sahara, to Sokoto, to pay special respect to President Muhammadu Buhari, and express appreciation to Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, respectively.
The day started colourful as men and women dressed in flamboyant Bini attires dance to the traditional drums at the terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja, announcing the arrival of His Royal Majesty, Omo N, ‘Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, to Nigeria’s capital city.
The airport was agog with cultural displays by the Benin people.
Presidential villa banquet
At the Presidential Villa, the meeting went beyond officialdom to personal recollections as the President recalled the working relationship with the late Oba Erediauwa.
President Buhari commended the Oba for following the footsteps of his predecessor and said Nigerians had reasons to be proud of the stabilising roles Benin chiefs had played right from the colonial era to the current period, not only in the Delta region but the entire country.
Said Buhari, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, “I cannot hold back my emotions, talking about my relationship with your predecessor. After General Murtala Mohammed was assassinated, I was moved from the North-East as governor to Ministry of Petroleum. Your father was then Permanent Secretary. My relationship with him was very strong. I have lost count of the number of visits to his palace as Oba.”
Speaking in the statement, after meeting with President Buhari, Oba Ewuare II, said it was sad that the role of traditional rulers was yet to be reflected in the constitution of the country as Nigeria is strongly rooted in cultural values and norms.
Peace, hope and change
The APC national chairman expressed hope that the Oba’s visit would bring peace, hope and change to the country.
“Everybody here as you can see came to give him a rousing welcome. It is a historic occurrence, our new Oba, a unique Oba with a unique culture”, said Oyegun
For the president of the Benin community in Abuja, Dickson Omoregie, the Oba’s visit was a joyful occasion.
He stated: “That is why he is starting here in Abuja to visit his children, we are delighted to receive him. When your daddy comes to visit you, you are so excited; It is a joyful day for us Edo people in Abuja.’’
Speaking in the same vein, Johnson Agbonayinma, a member of the House of Representatives, said the Edo indigenes in Abuja were excited to welcome the Oba which he described as caring.
“There is a saying that if you do not value what you have, somebody else will help you devalue it.
“I value my traditional institution and all I can do is to tell my honourable colleagues, friends of Edo to let them know that we have a caring King.
He also reassured the government that traditional institutions will be used to strengthen the unity and development of Nigeria.
“This is to tell you that our Oba is one who deserves all the respect accorded to him without being sentimental.
“It is a glorious day as his mission is to also show appreciation to all those who supported him during his coronation. It will be an honour to understand that we have an Oba who cares about the unity of the country.”
Similarly in Sokoto, it was a replication of cultural fanfare that welcomed the Oba. The event brought together the best elements of royal displays.
Hundreds of observers thronged the streets leading to the Sultan palace to catch a glimpse of the Benin monarch who was radiant with joy.
According to reports, the Oba stated: “Riders arranged in rows to welcome me into the Palace of his Eminence and the display of drummers really thrilled me and my large entourage as a monarch”.
The Oba’s visit, besides being a show appreciation to the Sultan for his “uncommon support, encouragement and honour” during his coronation, is significant in fostering unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different ethnic and religious background as well as of great importance in the history of the two monarchies.
Throwing light on the visit, the sultan explained: “Today, history is being made again because I remember very well as a young man, my father Sultan Abubakar of blessed memory who was Sultan for 50 years, the longest reigning Sultan was in Benin to be conferred with Honorary Degree by University of Benin in 1975, forty -five years ago, we were young people then in secondary school but we remembered vividly, his interaction with the then Oba of Benin and the two of them hit it off and built very good relationship.”
