Oba Erediauwa: 30 years of the god-king on the throne of Benin

Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa , (centre),
and Dr. Pius Odubu, on the left.In Benin kingdom, Edo state in today’s South- South geo-political zone of Nigeria, the monarch known as the Oba, according to oral tradition has a divine essence, therefore making him the god-head of his people. To the people of Benin, the Oba is not only God’s chief representative on earth, all his subjects consider him as god.

Indeed, in the ancient times, the Oba was not only a spiritual leader of his people but also was said to have civil, social and political authority over them. “Today,” as one cultural/art historian puts it, “even though the ancient glories of Benin kingdom are no more, the Oba still commands tremendous love, awe, reverence, authority, power and influence in Edo land.” Much of these came to the fore during the 30th anniversary coronation of the present Benin monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Erediauwa.

Oba Erediauwa, on Monday, March 30th 2009, marked 30 years on the throne of his forebears, having been crowned the 38th Oba of the kingdom on Saturday, March 23rd, 1979. The activities marking the coronation anniversary started on Wednesday, March 18th 2009, and would come to an end on Sunday, March 29th 2009. But beyond these activities which would be highlighted later is the significance of the 30th coronation anniversary of Oba Erediauwa.

First, the Chief Priest of Benin kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure said the Benin monarchy is a world renowned institution which has continued to strive amid modernisation and sometimes intrusions from detractors. The firmness and success of the monarchy and the kingdom have to do with the complex, yet solid foundation upon which their superstructures have been constructed by the ancestors of the Benin people.

Commenting on the programme of activities to mark the 30th coronation anniversary, Chief Isekhure said, “We have undertaken to celebrate the event because 30 years in the life of a person in this modern world is quite significant, talk more of a reign in the life-stream of a reputable monarch as that of the Oba of Benin. The first figure which is number three signifies perfection in esoteric spirituality, while digit zero signifies continuity. The symbolism in number 30 therefore radiates perfect continuity.”

As crowned prince, he was Prince Solomon Aisiokhuoba Igbinoghodua Akenzua. But he was crowned as Oba Erediauwa. It was as part of the rites of ascendancy to the revered Benin throne that he got the title “Erediauwa,” interpreted to symbolically mean “one who has come to put the house or society in order.” Omo N’Oba Erediauwa is the 38th Oba of Benin in Oba Eweka 1 Dynasty that began at about the 12th Century A.D. His coronation ended the forty-five years reign of his father, Oba Akenzua II of blessed memory.

The Omo N’Oba is seen as a quintessential icon of royalty and splendour. During the 30 years of his charismatic reign, the Benin kingdom has remained unified, peaceful and has witnessed expansion. This is attributed to his large and stately personality and the handling of issues before him with a rarity of wisdom.

Apart from his settlement of various community and land disputes within his kingdom and other disagreements which might not have been of public knowledge, he has also successfully mediated in the misunderstandings between former Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu and former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, as well as between former Edo state governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Chief Anenih.

The Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole spoke eloquently of Oba Erediauwa’s 30 years on the throne of the Benin kingdom. “Thirty years down the road, your throne and person have retained its unifying effect, which is why our state has enjoined a distinction for inter-ethnic harmony despite our ethnic pluralism. I have always been inspired by the dignity, stoicism and clear-headed consistency with which you have withstood some of the political turbulences that have characterised Nigeria and Edo state at various times during your reign.

In all these, you have endured as a beacon towards which we all looked for direction, inspiration and courage,” Oshiomhole said.

A Benin cultural group paying homage to
the Oba of BeninBesides, Oba Erediauwa is reputed to be a great lover and custodian of the art, culture, tradition and history of Benin people. It is within this period of his reign, specifically in 1997 that the Benin kingdom celebrated the centenary anniversary of the British invasion of the kingdom which led to the dethronement and banishment of Oba Ovoranmwen Nogbaisi to Calabar in 1897. The centenary anniversary provided the opportunity for that blight spot in the history of the Benin kingdom to be put in proper perspective and served as podium for the re-enactment of the artistic and rich cultural heritage of the kingdom.

Again, the periodic holding, in accordance with the Benin custom and tradition, of different festivals such as the annual Ugie, which Igue, the most popular among the Ugie activities is part of, Ugie Ewere, Ugie Erhoba, Ugie Iron and Ugie Emobo, marks Oba Erediauwa out as a cultural icon. These festivals and many others including traditional undertakings gained more recognition within the last 30 years and attracted more tourists with its attendant socio-economic gains to the kingdom.

Oba Erediauwa is reputed to have revived several moribund shrines and traditional practices even in the face of the onslaught of modernity and rise of pentecostalism. He vehemently opposed the Land Use Decree which came into effect in 1978, which erodes the power of traditional institutions over the natural resources deposited in their domains.

He vigorously advocated for the role of traditional rulers clearly identified and defined in the Nigerian Constitution and while successfully steering the kingdom, leaving it awash with a rich blend of modernity and civilisation amid preservation of the kingdom's rich cultural heritage.

His reign these past 30 years has marked him out as one of the most articulate, consistent and well respected traditional rulers in Nigeria. He has remained steadfast in providing necessary and relevant advice as the occasions demand on topical issues to the local, state and federal governments in Nigeria.

The activities for the 30th coronation anniversary of Oba Erediauwa started on the 18th of March with a carnival flow of traditional dances and acrobatic displays across major streets in the Benin metropolis. This was followed by a photo exhibition, Oba Erediauwa football cup competition on March 19th and then a food fair, tagged “A Taste of Edo Nation,” and an art exhibition with the theme, “Great Benin: The Art of Edo Civilisation,” on March 20th.

There was also a thanksgiving service at the Christ Embassy Church, Erediauwa road, Benin City on March 22nd , while on the 23rd of March, the date of the coronation anniversary, there were special cultural presentations.

The cultural presentations featured dances, chorals, dance-drama and a performance by the Chief Priest of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure-led Isekhure Music Foundation which, according to the Benin Foundation for the Protection of Benin Heritage and Relics, the anniversary organisers, demonstrated the resilience of the Edo culture. The events which took place on Monday included paying of homage and goodwill messages from the Oba’s subjects and other kingdoms and all these marked the climax of the celebration.

Among the participating cultural groups were the Edo Arts Council Troupe, Edo Cultural Troupe, Edo Theatre Troupe, Uwa Theatre Troupe, Itsekiri Group, Uyioba Theatre Troupe and Ibiwe Palace Society. Beside members of the Benin royal family and Benin chiefs led by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, who paid homage to the Oba of Benin, goodwill messages poured in for the monarch from the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, who was represented by Professor (Chief) Ngozi Okafor, the Olu of Warri, Ogiamen Atuatse II, who was represented by the Ojomo of Warri, the Orodje of Okpe, who was represented by the Otota of Okpe, the Obi of Owa Kingdom, Dr. E. Efiezomor and representatives of other ethnic nationalities resident in Benin.

Other dignitaries at the occasion included Edo state deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, frontline politician and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Governor of defunct Bendel state, General Bassey Asuquo, Majority Leader House of Representatives, Tunde Akogun, who stood in for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, and Senator Roland Owie.

Speaking, Oba Erediauwa said, “I and my entire family are overwhelmed and most grateful to all dignitaries, especially traditional rulers who have joined us for this celebration. You are all welcome. For staying in the sun for so long, God bless all of you.”

Other events included schools essay competition, dance drama and Egho (Banquet), which took place on March 24th, and the unveiling of statutes of past kings of Benin. The 30th coronation anniversary celebration will be rounded off with a thanksgiving service at Holy Arousa church in Benin City and closing ceremonies that would feature musical performances at the palace ground on March 29th, 2009.

BOOK REVIEW

Playwright: Solomon Adedokun Edebor
Title: So Long A Night
Place of Publication: Ibadan
Publisher: Atlantic Books
Number of Pages: 55

THE playwright’s deliberate reference to“Night” in the title of this play is quite remark able in the sense that it embodies a lot of significations. “Night” connotes death, sorrow, grief, pain and other negativies or experiences that are associated with nightfall. The front cover of the text shows the picture of a lady rubbing her temple with the tip of her fingers, obviously in a very sober and meditative mood. This image reinforces the feeling of sorry associated with night. It calls to mind the Biblical verse, “sorrow may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.” This verse, one will later notice captures the entire idea or thematic preoccupation of the play.

So Long A Night comprises eleven movements. which take the reader on a tour of the life of Sewa Olumuyiwa, a female undergraduate in one of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. She is raised in a well-to-do Christian home, where she has all the care and attention she needs. However, tragedy strikes when her father dies. His death Sewa comments “resulted in hardship for all of us.”

The first movement of the play introduces Solomon and Sewa who is has gone through a harrowing experience. Here she pours out her heart as she narrates her ordeal to him. At this point in time one sees how she gradually loses her grip on her moral values. Here, the play progresses as it reveals the events that lead her to the very depths of cultism.

However, at the eleventh movement the play comes to its climax. Sewa realises the extent to which her careless ways have led her and she is at a crossroad. Solomon leads her through a religious re-birth and a distillation of spirit. At the later part of this movement one sees a transformed Sewa. The idea of “dressing in a white lace material” is symbolic. White symbolises purity or chastity. As a result, the white colour represents redemption.

In historical dramatic placement, the play can be categorised as a Morality Play. This is a type of drama that was developed during the medieval period. It was usually informed by church doctrinal values bordering on holy living as a visa to heaven or God’s kingdom. All through the movements of the play one feels the agonistic atmosphere of the narrative. It has a highly textured and compelling mode that is keenly attuned to the spiritual.

One must commend the playwright’s aesthetic sensibilities as he gives the text a complete blend of both the fictive and the factual.

His use of various dramatic techniques such as double casting, flashbacks, costuming and character doubling especially given the limited temporal space peculiar to drama as a unique genre of literature is commendable.