The Senate, on Tuesday, received a motion to name the airport in Benin City, Edo State, after the late Oba of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Oba Erediauwa.
The airport is to be named as ‘Oba Erediauwa Airport.’
The move was based on a motion moved by Senator Matthew Urhoghide (Edo South), titled, ‘Befittingly Renaming the Federal Airport, Benin City, after the late Omo N’ObaN’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, CFR, Oba of Benin Kingdom.”
Urhoghide said the Senate recognised the selfless service of the late Oba Erediauwa to Nigeria.
“Latches especially onto, amongst other achievements of this great Nigerian son, was his role in the creation of Edo State from the then Bendel State, a role which necessarily made him the Father of Edo State,” he said.
According to the senator, Oba Erediauwa’s memory is worth immortalising “when his achievements, numerous selfless services and contributions to Nigeria’s development of this outstanding monarch, which are worthy of emulation and commendation, are taken into consideration.”
Urhoghide added, “The Senate believes further that having served in federal capacities and in keeping with the tradition of immortalising distinguished Nigerians by naming federal structures after them, the Benin airport should be named after late Oba Erediauwa.
“We are mindful of the added argument that the Kingdom of the late Oba Erediauwa is host to the Benin airport and in a state that the late revered monarch worked hard to help create.
“We are mindful further that the Benin airport is only one and a half kilometres from the palace of the Oba of Benin in the heart of Benin City, Edo State.”
The Senator stated, “By way of immortalising this great Nigerian, rename the federal airport presently known and referred to as the ‘Benin Airport’ as ’Oba Erediauwa Airport;’ and urge or prevail on the relevant ministry or department or agency vested with the duty of effecting the resolution of this motion to so do.”
The senators, however, dropped a prayer of the motion, which was to, “Treat the resolution of this motion with dispatch in order to ensure that the change is effected in the earliest possible time.”
(Punch)
