…As Oba Ewuare celebrates 2nd coronation anniversary, launches compendium of Benin History
…Obaseki assures on Benin Royal Museum project
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]resident Muhammadu Buhari and two other Nigeria’s past leaders, Retired General Yakubu Gowon and Dr. Goodkuck Jonathan on Saturday emphasized the enviable place of Benin Kingdom in Nigeria’s history, with Buhari urging other ethnic kingdoms in the country to emulate the Kingdom in upholding rich cultural heritage.Buhari also called on traditional rulers across the country to continue to build bridges of unity and oneness to promote national development.
The occasion was the official launch of the Book, titled: “The Benin Monarchy, an Anthology of Benin History” held in Benin City on Saturday October 20, 2018 in commemoration of the 2nd coronation anniversary of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II.
The President who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, pointed out that the story of Nigeria will not be complete without the contributions of the Benin Kingdom.
He said the Benin kingdom was one of the oldest as it dates back to 1280 and the tradition chain has been passed down from one generation to another.
In his words, “Let me use this opportunity to congratulate the Oba and his council of chiefs for this feat of preserving our cultures, values and ethics. Indeed, Benin kingdom is a role model for other ethnic kingdoms and societies to follow.
“Today, we are not just here to celebrate the second anniversary of our beloved Oba, but to also make a public presentation of a similar compendium entitled the Benin Monarchy; An Anthology of Benin History to mark this historic event.
“This compendium I undoubtedly know that it will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people and the great Benin kingdom.
“My personal interactions and relationship with the Benin Kingdom and its monarchy has shown that they are not just unique from the perspective of ecstatic but also as a driver of redefinition, regeneration and repositioning of the glory and essence of their kingdom”, the President said.
President Buhari said his administration will continue to encourage and ensure that “our traditional institution continues to evolve with time while preserving our rich cultural heritage.”
“Traditional rulers must continue to build bridges as is being exemplified today by the very good and outstanding relationship that exists between the Sultanate and the kingdom of the Benin people.
“They should continue to build bridges of love and mutual respect across the country, they must continue to stay abreast of changes in a digital world while jealously guiding and protecting the core social values, customs, and traditions that distinguish our respective people.
“The key areas that demand our passion are the preservation of our languages and the teaching of our history in schools. These should not be compromised,” Buhari stressed.
Noting that traditional rulers have vital role to play in the forthcoming general elections, he urged them to sensitize the people on the need to eschew violence and hate speeches, preach the message of peace and harmony, development, elimination of the use of drugs and substances, security and economic prosperity.
“All these messages, if combined, will help us downplay or completely remove the negative messages of violence, ethnicity and religious intolerance and differences.
“We must also ask our citizens to resist money politics that can lead to under development in the long run. This administration will continue to deliver on our change mantra to provide security, fight corruption and improve the economy for the betterment of all Nigerians.
“You as traditional rulers have herculean task to continue to instill an enduring part of our heritage as custodians of culture and tradition expectedly, our traditional rulers are closely linked with the grassroots and so understand the problems of our people more intimately. In our search for peace, orderliness and stability in our society, the traditional institutions must remain a veritable instrument in this regards”, the President said.
He pledged the federal government’s unflinching support and cooperation towards uplifting and sustaining the country’s traditional institutions and preserving their norms and culture and traditions to the unification of the entire country.
Former Military Head of State of Nigeria who chaired the occasion, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, commended the outstanding features of the Benin Monarchy, and described the book as a masterpiece that “tells African history by Africans.”
“One of the tragedies of Africa is that our story has always been told by others from their own perspectives and with their own purpose.
“The result is that much of the narratives of our continent have been a distortion. Against this background, we appreciate the impact of this singular effort of telling the history of Benin Kingdom,” he said.
“I consider the book an aesthetic masterpiece and a treasure trove of unequalled insight into the history of the great Benin Kingdom. It is not just a piece of intellectual exertion worthy of high commendation, it presents to the rest of us a palpable challenge: a challenge to look back at the richness of our heritage and engender therefrom, a process of regeneration of those values and ideals that can only trigger the birth of new, progressive, people-centred, excellence-driven communities, nations, a new Africa!” he said.
Former Nigeria’s President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in his remarks, said the Benin Kingdom has always made the country proud via its rich history and well-structured governance system.
Jonathan commended the Oba of Benin for his resourcefulness and protection of the Benin people.
In his remark, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State assured that the Benin Royal Museum would be built and completed before the end of 2021.
He said he made the decision recently at a meeting of The Benin Dialogue Group which is made up of all prominent museums in Europe.
“We also got the commitment of the group to return many of the works that were taken from the palace during the expedition in 1987,” the governor said.
In his speech, Oba Ewuare II who expressed gratitude to all, including his subjects for the love and support they extended to him in the past two years, said he was using economic, diplomatic method as well as art and culture to empower Edo people, with the prioritization of their welfare.
He commended the hard work of members of the Board who made the book possible, describing it as
“A great tribute to a great culture and a great people.”
The Benin Monarch said the 7-kg book would also be showcased in London, the United States of America, among other countries.
He said the Oba Ewuare II satellite Town which is also being built in commemoration of his 2nd coronation anniversary was modelled to boost youth employment, create jobs in the agro-allied industry as well as cater for the general welfare of Edo people.
In his remarks, the executive producer of the book, Captain Hosa Okunbo, described it as “a compendium of history, a fusion of the past and present,” adding “the book is gift to our generation, an expose of some very deep things.”
Among other dignitaries at the event included the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III; former governors of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole, as well as the Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, Prof Faraday Orumwense.
