Oba Erediauwa: Traditional council bans cooking with fire tomorrow

The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) yesterday announced that as part of the burial rites of the late Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, there would be no cooking with fire in the kingdom tomorrow (Sunday).

A statement by the Secretary, Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor, yesterday said: “There shall be no cooking with fire in every household in Benin Kingdom on Sunday, June 5, 2016.

“This is the day of Edenagberen-mwiwu in the royal funeral rites programme. All Benins as well as non-indigenes are expected to observe this rite.”

Historians say the last time this tradition was witnessed in the kingdom was in 1979 when the funeral rites of the father of Oba Erediauwa, Oba Akenzua, was being observed.

However, the order has sparked reactions among residents, as many see it as an all-day fasting in honour of the late Oba Erediauwa.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Senate has challenged traditional rulers and leaders across the country to speak out and make positive contributions towards the unity, peace and development of the country.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, stated this when he led other members of the National Assembly on behalf of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki to Benin, to condole with the state government and the Crown Prince, HRH Eheneden Erediauwa, the Edaike N’Uselu, over the demise of Oba Erediauwa.

Joined by the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, they raised the alarm over what they described as alleged attempt to destabilise the nation through militancy in the Niger Delta and the South East, urging elders and leaders of the zones to rise up and secure the unity of the nation.

Speaking on behalf of Saraki, Ekweremadu expressed worries over the number of deaths being recorded both in the Niger Delta and the South East due to the latest uprisings in the areas.