Oba Ewuare II pays visit to Edo North traditional rulers

Exactly six months after the coronation of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the revered traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom, last week, led a delegation of Benin Chiefs to the Palace of the Otaru of Auchi Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Highbreed Aliru Momoh Ikelebe II, for a thank you visit.

The tour provided His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the opportunity to rub minds with about 32 Edo North traditional rulers. Details of this meeting are yet to be made public. The Palace Watch will bring the details of the meeting any moment from now.

The Otaru of Auchi, who played host to Oba Ewuare II, was supported by other traditional rulers from Edo North, among who were HRM, Alhaji (Dr.) A.Y.E. Dirisu JP, (OON), Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, HRM, Dr. G. O. Egabor OON, Okumagbe of Wappa Wanno, HRM, Alhaji Aliyu K. Danesi, Oba Danesi II, Aiodongie of South-Ibie, HRM, Peter Abalume Osigemeh, Onweweko of Okpekpe, HRH, Alhaji Jackson Dauda A Etohana, Ogieavianwu of Avianwu, HRH, Oba A.A. Obaitan JP, Olososo of Ososo; HRH, Alaji D.Y.E. Kanoba JP, Esiegbai of Ekperi, HRH, Alhaji K.I. Omogbai, Ogieneni of Uzairue; HRH, Oba E.A. Saiki, Otaru of Igarra, HRH, Alhaji S. Elabor, Clan Head of Ivbiaro; HRH, Alhaji Jimah Awudu, Ukor of Iheivbe, alongside others.

On October 3 to December 1, 1982, the immediate past Oba of Benin, His Royal Highness, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, embarked on a similar tour. The late Oba gave reasons for the tour thus: “When I was preparing for my coronation, which held on March 23, 1979, invitations were sent to all State Councils of Traditional Rulers (or Councils of Chiefs or Emirate Councils). All the Councils responded by nominating members to attend as representatives. In appreciation of their kind gesture, I planned a “thank you” visit to all the State Councils of Traditional Rulers to personally express my appreciation to them for their act of brotherliness. In addition, I would pay private calls to some traditional rulers on account of personal relationship or because they were unable to come to Benin City personally.

“After I celebrated the traditional third anniversary of my coronation in December, 1981, (thanks be to God Almighty and my ancestors) I decided, after communing with God and my ancestors, that I would visit all the Councils of Traditional Rulers throughout the country that were represented at my coronation.

“Two thoughts motivated me to this decision. First, I felt it was most kind of all the traditional rulers, especially those outside Bendel State to have travelled long distances, especially for those in the far North to come to Benin City. I felt it would not be enough to write letters of appreciation to them. Rather, in the spirit with which they came, I too should visit them at their own palaces to show my appreciation.”