BREAKING: Oba of Benin is Dead.

So shocking...

– The great Oba of Benin is dead
– Omo n’Oba Erediauwa Akpolokpolo I is said to have been battling illness since lastyear
– His death was announced by Chief SamIgbe, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom.



The Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa
Akpolokpolo I, has been reported dead. His
death was announced few minutes ago by
the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe.
The Great Oba of Benin
Sources report that the late monarch has
been battling an unknown illness since last
year.

The Benin Traditional Council formally
announced the translation of the Oba of
Benin, Omo N’Oba n’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo,
Oba Erediauwa, to his ancestors on Friday,
April 29.

His translation was announced by the Prime
Minister and Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief
Sam Igbe, in the presence of other
traditional Chiefs and Enigie (Dukes), with
the traditional braking of native chalk at the
entrance of the palace.

While announcing the translation, the Iyase
said: “Osorhue Bunrun. Oba Erediauwa of
Benin Kingdom, the Prince if Peace, Ebo,
Ayemwirhe, emini mini mini, has returned with
his ancestors. May he find perfect peace with
God.”

Ranny's correspondent in Benin reports that
following the breaking of the native chalk at
the main entrance of the palace, all the
chiefs broke down in tears and wailed for
the translated Monarch.
In accordance with the Benin traditional
mourning rites for a translated Monarch,
every male in the kingdom is expected to
shave his head throughout the mourning
period that may last for up to three months,
while all markets in the kingdom are to
remain closed for about seven days.
The Benin Crown Prince and Edaiken of
Benin, Eheneden Erediauwa, who arrived at
the palace at about 1:10 pm from his
temporary resistance in Uselu, was formally
informed of the translation of his father,
before it was publicly announced.
Reacting to the announcement of the
translation of the Monarch, the
Obadolagbonyi of Benin Kingdom, Chief
Omon-Osagie Utetenegiabi, said: “Yes, it is
traditional. It is customary that when a sitting
Oba becomes an ancestor, translates to a
greater glory. The Oba of Benin does not die
because he is an institution; he mainly
translates to a high glory as an ancestor.
“The news is first broken to his eldest son
and the immediate family which was done
earlier today. And the Iyase of Benin, as the
highest ranking Chief now breaks the news to
the people of Benin Kingdom and the world.
Iyase is the traditional Prime Minister and the
bridge between the people and the royalty and
that is what he has done today.


“From today until the expiration of
‘Emwinekhua’ all Benin Chiefs, all chiefs that
have been entitled by the Oba to wear the
round bead round their necks, which is two,
will now wear one. It is customary because
when you see a Chief wears one bead, it
shows that we are in a state of mourning.
After today, we are awaiting further
instructions on what to do.
“Oba Eredia uwa is the Oba of Peace, the Oba
who brought prosperity to his people, the Oba
who understands his people. He makes sure
that no one was offended, the Oba who could
sit in judgment and give judgment against his
own son for a commoner. It is rare. Oba
Erediauwa is the best that has happened to
Benin Kingdom in the last 1,600 years.”
In reaction to the announcement of the
Oba’s death, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of
Edo state has eulogised the departed Benin
Monarch, Oba Erediauwa. The Governor
expressed his profound reverence for the
departed Monarch in a press statement he
issued and personally signed.
He described the late Monarch as “an
accomplished Nigerian, a seasoned bureaucrat,
quintessential unifier, unique personage”.
Oshiomhole said : “Our hearts are heavy, laden
with pains and grief, at the announcement of
the passing on to glory of Omo n’Oba n’Edo
Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa of Benin, our
highly revered Oba, a distinguished Edo
numero uno, an accomplished Nigerian, a
seasoned bureaucrat, quintessential unifier,
unique personage and exemplary Omo N’Oba,
whose reign brought distinction, immense
class, finesse and integrity to traditional
institution in Edo state and the country at
large.

“His carriage comes with an élan that was
peculiar with the reverence of royalty. His
uncommon courage was symbolic of the can-
do spirit of the Edo mind. His unity of purpose
was not in doubt even as he used his revered
position to promote constructive engagement
amongst all shades of opinion and culture in
Edo state. As a thorough-bred bureaucrat,
rising to the pinnacle of his career as a
Federal Permanent Secretary, he understood
the dynamics and intricacies of governance.
He was the alternative voice to the many
voiceless in our society, calling government
attention to issues of development and
transparent governance, without minding
whose ox is gored. He was brave, fearless,
punchy and instructive in his verbal and
written messages.
“To us at the Edo state Government, he was
our strongest supporter; both in his
uncommon faith in our ability and his
readiness to offer uncommon advice to
sharpen public discourse in our shared
commitment to transform Edo state. It
gladdens our heart, therefore, that our revered
Oba was alive to witness the positive
transformation of Edo state under his reign,
and for standing with us through thick and
thin in the course of making the Edo economy
a treasure to behold. Being part of that
eloquent history of transformation before his
reunion with his ancestors gives us further
reassurance that he will occupy a special
pride of place in the hereafter.

“We are enveloped with a deep sense of
nostalgia that our great Oba, a great-
grandfather, grandfather, father, uncle and
iconoclastic royal father of exemplary carriage
and conduct, who sustained the dignity of the
average Edo mind, has joined his ancestors.
We are, however, encouraged by the fact that
another great son of the Great Benin Kingdom,
His Royal Highness, Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown
Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, who is already
showing manifest quintessential attributes of
his great father, will step into his father’s big
shoes.
“Edo people will miss our iconoclastic royal
father of the great Benin Kingdom. Nigerians
and Nigeria will miss this great exemplar of a
Royal Father, an Oba of distinction and
integrity. Adieu until we meet to part no more.
“Oba gha to kpere, ise,” the governor
concluded.
Oba Erediauwa was born in 1923, when in
1979 he ascended the throne of his fathers,
he became the 38th Oba of Benin, traditional
ruler of the Edo people in Benin City, in
Nigeria.
He was formerly addressed as the Prince
Solomon Akenzua, and took on the title Omo
n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I
after taking over from his father Oba
Akenzua II, in a ceremony held in Benin city,
on March 23, 1979.

May his soul rest in peace...
(Amen)