By Desmond Agbama
Since Oba Ewuare II ascended the throne three years ago, different innovations and initiatives have been introduced into Benin Kingdom, aimed at bringing sanity to the kingdom and ensuring peaceful co-existence among the people. Initially, the Benin Monarch commenced the open mediation at Ugha-Ozolua in the Oba Palace to give opportunity for people, especially women whom culture and tradition places certain restriction on from reaching the Ogue-emanton where His Royal Majesty usually adjudicate on matters, to present their complaints for resolution. The open mediation which was formerly presided over by Oba Ewuare II himself lasted for one year. On Thursday 12th October, 2017, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II inaugurated the Benin Customary Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee BCADRC to help in the resolution of conflicts among the people.
In the whole black race, there is only one Kingdom that is recognized world-wide. It is Benin Kingdom, which was formerly called Benin Empire. Benin Kingdom is ruled by an Oba.
The current Oba Ewuare II was coronated on 20th October, 2016 to ascend the ancient throne of Benin Kingdom at a ceremony that attracted personalities from all walks of life, including traditional rulers, diplomats, business moguls, politicians, academics, past and present leaders of Nigeria and many other countries.
Before Oba Ewuare II ascended the throne, the people were faced with different challenges that threatened peace and unity as well as the rate of development of the Kingdom.
Some of these challenges included difficulties in acquiring and developing land, extortion and intimidation of developers by members of the former Community Development Association (CDA), Leadership tussles, family disputes, especially issue of inheritance, boundary disputes among Villages or communities.
Furthermore, some Enigie, Edionwere and Ohen were either suspended or relegated to the background by the CDA members in the community or Villages where they are supposed to be the head.
Since Oba Ewuare II ascended the throne three years ago, different innovations and initiatives have been introduced into Benin Kingdom, aimed at bringing sanity to the kingdom and ensuring peaceful co-existence among the people.
Initially, the Benin Monarch commenced the open mediation at Ugha-Ozolua in the Oba Palace to give opportunity for people, especially women whom culture and tradition places certain restriction on from reaching the Ogue-emanton where His Royal Majesty usually adjudicate on matters, to present their complaints for resolution.
The open mediation which was formerly presided over by Oba Ewuare II himself lasted for one year. On Thursday 12th October, 2017, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II inaugurated the Benin Customary Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee BCADRC to help in the resolution of conflicts among the people.
The Committee which is made up of seasoned retired judges, Chiefs and other Professionals have been handling matters and resolving them accordingly. It has been joy, happiness and jubilation for those who have secured justice from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.
The various landmark judgments by the Palace have no doubt helped to restore hope to the once hopeless people and it has brought peace and unity to the people.
In order to put a stop to the activities of CDA members, Oba Ewuare II in collaboration with the Edo State Government set up the Private Property Protection Committee (PPPC) and the anti-CDA law was passed into law by the Edo State House of Assembly to give the Committee a legal backing to arrest and prosecute anyone caught violating the law.
The Oba of Benin has received series of commendations from different individuals and organizations for coming like a messiah to rescue the people from the shackles and stranglehold of the shylock land speculators and CDA members.
Another landmark achievement of Omo N’ Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II since ascension of the throne of his fore fathers is the pronouncement against Human Trafficking and illegal migration. Before now Benin Kingdom was regarded as the home of human trafficking and illegal migration.
However, since our revered Benin Monarch made the royal pronouncement, the narrative has changed. The Omo N’Oba has said that Benin Kingdom is very rich in culture and tradition and that instead of trafficking in human beings, the people should begin to export and showcase the rich culture of Benin to different parts of the world.
Perhaps, that was why Oba Ewuare II established the Oba Ewuare II Foundation in order to reawaken the declining Benin cultural image at home and world-wide. The Foundation will also help in promoting the teaching, learning and speaking of Benin language globally.
The other components of the Oba Ewuare II Foundation include, scholarship scheme for indigent students, free feeding program for the less privileged in the society and discount food items market to create avenue for the poor in the society to buy food items at a very cheap price.
The Oba of Benin as the custodian of the Benin culture and tradition believes that it must be preserved for the generations yet unborn. Consequently, the Benin Monarch has plans to establish the Benin Royal Academy for Performing Arts where Benin Youths will be trained on Benin language, folklores, songs and dances.
The Oba of Benin had disclosed plans to establish a foundry where youths will learn how to produce work of arts such as bronze casting, wood carving, weaving, and craft. There is also plan to establish Benin Palace museum where the various art works will be exhibited for tourist attraction, thereby boosting the economy of the people.
The museum will also accommodate the stolen artefacts once they are returned by the Europeans who carted them away more than a century ago. In an attempt to ensure that Benin Kingdom continue to expand and develop, Oba Ewuare II established the Oba Ewuare II Satellite town at Ugo-emoson on Benin- Agbor road in Uhunmwode Local Government Area.
Many people have expressed satisfaction with Oba Ewuare II for being able to revive the Benin culture, especially through the celebration of Ugie Ododua and Ugie Ivie, which are very symbolic Ugie in the history of Benin Kingdom.
People are also satisfied with the Omo N’ Oba for re-enacting the progressive, developmental and united forces of Oba Ewuare the first. The unity, peace, progress and development of the people cannot be compromised and with His Royal Majesty Ewuare II on the throne, the people will surely get the best of both spiritual blessings and traditional leadership.
The Oba is the big umbrella accommodating and protecting all Edo people no matter where they are on this earth. Therefore, loyalty, respect and support for the Omo N’Oba are sacrosanct, in order not to incur the wrath of the ancestors.
OBAITIEBO, ENIKARO OGUINA. The Benin Royal Father is an epitome of peace, and progress, hence the several calls on the people to remain peaceful and united, because AKUGBE ORETIN (Unity is strength).
As the whole world joined to celebrate the third coronation anniversary of Oba Ewuare II, may our revered Oba live long to continue to bring the desired unity, peace and progress to Benin Kingdom in particular and Nigeria in general. Oba Ghato OKpere Ise !!!!!
