Tag Archives: Oba

Oba of Benin suspends chief priest

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The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has approved the suspension of the Chief Priest of the kingdom, Nosakhare Isekhure, from all the duties of the title.

This was contained in a statement released at a press briefing at the palace on Tuesday, jointly signed by the nine highest-ranked chiefs in the palace and the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.

It said Mr. Isekhure had been suspended indefinitely.

The chief priest is known as the Isekhurhe of Benin Kingdom.

The statement accused Mr. Isekhure of desecrating his office. It said the Council had reverted to the system of the past in which the Ihama of Benin Kingdom was performing the duties of the Isekhurhe.

In a long list of Mr. Isekhure’s infractions, the Council stated: “He designated his house as a palace where he held court in which he sometimes reviewed cases already dealt with in the Oba’s palace. Of course, gratifications were there offered or forced and collected.

“He used his position to influence new chiefs celebrating their investiture to perform certain rites in his residence, during which monies, kolanuts and drinks were collected.

“Senior chief were at times openly bad-mouthed and vilified by him and during those times, he declared that the chiefs were not senior to him and that he would not pay respect to them again as palace cultures demand.”

“He turned himself into a be all and end all, and a seeming authority in Benin culture and tradition, especially palace procedures. He even pronounced himself the Head of the Royal family.

“The profanities and denigrations that issued from him and his followers during our mourning period are better forgotten. During this period, he told all those who cared to listen to him that neither the Emwinekhua nor the consequent coronation could hold without him.

“The Iyase (Prime Minister of Benin Kingdom) sent for him to enable these matters to be discussed with him. He demurred. The council of chiefs also sent for him, yet, he refused to answer them.

“During Emwinekhua, he neglected and deliberately refused to perform his traditional duties before, during and after the event, and has since remained infinitely unrepentant.

“We cannot believe that anyone, any Benin individual who knows what the motivating Benin cultures and tradition are, and has worn the toga of a Benin Chief could do what Isekhurhe did these past two years. We find it difficult to accept even the idea that he is a chief. The disconnect has become actual and natural.

“We recommend in the circumstances therefore, that he be suspended; and with the authority of Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, he is with effect from today, 17th of January, 2017 suspended indefinitely from performing the duties of the Isekhurhe title which he now bears.”

When contacted on the development, Mr. Isekhurhe said he could not say anything yet, because he was yet to get official information on his suspension.

 

Source: Premium Times

New Oba of Benin unleashes first Punishment, Arrests Family for Breaking Tradition

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For organizing the burial ceremony of their father, the family of Uhumwangho from Isi village in Uhunmwode local government area of Edo State has incurred the wrath of the new Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.

Before the coronation ceremonies of the new Oba, the palace had placed a ban on burial activities in the Benin kingdom till further notice.

It was gathered at the weekend that all was set for the burial ceremonies at Iguodala Primary school in Benin City when chiefs from the Oba’s palace stormed the area and tied ‘Umehe’ leaves on the food, drinks, and canopies.

The ‘Umenhe’ leaves, Daily Trust learned, is a message of no trespass from the Oba.

Some of the family members were arrested and taken to the palace while the musician hired to provide entertainment was also dragged to the palace.

A palace source told Daily Trust reporter that the family was asked to buy some sacrificial items to cleanse the land.

It was also observed at the venue that food and drinks were on the table which the family members said nobody would touch because of the sacred leaves tied to them.

One of the arrested family members Josephine Ehimwenma said they were told by some chiefs at the palace to go on with the burial arrangements since the actual coronation had been done, but a member of the Iwebo Palace society, Chief Sunday Okhiokpamwonyi, said the family would pay some fine and postpone the burial.

(Daily Trust)

 

See The Church Where Bible Is Not Used and The Oba Of Benin Is The General Overseer

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On Akpakpava Road in the heart of Benin City, the Edo State capital, is a church founded over 500 years ago. The architectural design of the building tells its story. It does not advertise itself; yet has a large following. The Oba of Benin is its spiritual head, reports Osagie Otabor.

The Holy Aruosa Cathedral is to the Bini people what the Church of England is to the English people; no wonder it is referred to as the Church of Benin.

Welcome to the Holy Aruosa (the eye of God) Cathedral.

Members of the Holy Arousa are different from flocks of other religious bodies: they are seldom seen sharing pamphlets to convert members or inviting people to the church. The church leaders do not hold crusades or revival services to convert ‘souls’, neither do they invite people to experience miracles.

Legend has it that the church was located at the place because it was the spot the Bini had direct contact with Osanobua (God) long before the coming of the European explorers and missionaries.

During the British invasion of Benin Kingdom, the church was destroyed and the black stone was carted away along with other artifacts from the ancient city at about 1897. The invaders came with their own God, mode of worship and forbade the people from worshipping Osanobua at Holy Arousa.

It was Oba Akenzua II (father of the present monarch) who rebuilt the current cathedral, not only in Benin City, but in Onitsha, Umuahia and other areas.

The Oba of Benin is the spiritual head (general overseer) of the Church. His deputy is the Benin Crown Prince. The presiding head of the church is known as ‘Ohen Osa’ (God’s servant). A special seat is reserved for the Oba at the church. The priests dress like the Roman Catholic priests and usually wear red caps.

Service at the church is conducted in Bini language. The Holy Bible is not used in the church; much of the preaching revolves around reminding the congregation that the Oba is God’s representative on earth and on the need to be good while on earth. Baptism of new converts is done with the white chalk (Orhue) in what is regarded as ‘Igborhe’.

Does miracle happen in the church? Ohen Osa Harrison Okao said people received miracles and God’s blessings directly from God without any intermediary.

He said: “Those who seek God come here. We don’t beg people to come. If you attend and discover that your contact with God is cordial, you will remain. If you beg God for promotion and you come here and got it, you will remain here.”

Harrison said the church was founded during the reign of Oba Esigie and to worship God without praying through any intermediary.

He said: “We use our local language to communicate with our God. We are aware of other diverse ways of reaching God. If you are a good Muslim, God will accept you. If you are a good Christian, God will accept you.

“We don’t use the Bible here. We have our own book. We use the book of Holy Arousa according to the sayings of the ancient belief written by the wise men. The church is still in existence till today, it is an entity that will last forever. Nothing can stop it.”

“A professional doctor does not need sign board. Oba is a special human being. He is God’s representative on earth. The seat that concerns Omon N’ Oba, nobody can sit on it. That seat is exclusively preserved for him.”

The Nation

Stop The Unbecoming Comments Against The Oba Of Lagos- OPC Warns Nigerians

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Nigerians have been warned by the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) to stop the unbecoming comments against the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the National Coordinating Council of OPC, Comrade Monsuru Akande.

Akiolu has been under fire since Monday, when he reportedly threatened the Igbos living in Lagos to either vote for the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, or perish in the lagoon.

Akande said the Yoruba institutions should not be trampled upon and all those involved in the unbecoming comments against the Oba should desist from doing so.

“The institution of the oba is one the Yoruba race hold in high esteem, and the OPC as irredentist defenders of Yoruba culture and heritage would therefore not tolerate anybody -irrespective of their places of birth of conviction- to denigrate what their hosts (Yorubas) hold sacred.

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What Buhari Told Ndigbo In Lagos

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The president-elect, Rtd. General Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Ndigbo and other non-indigenes residing in Lagos state to overlook the anti-tribal comments of Oba of Lagos, Akiolu Rilwan.

President-elect described Lagos as home for all, adding that the time had come for Nigerians to look past ethnicity in the general interest of peace and unity.

He said, “I admire what your governor has done in terms of mobilizing revenue to sustain Lagos development. I have a lot of respect for Governor Fashola for his hard work, commitment to the state and the country. There is no doubt that Lagos is a mini-Nigeria. We are all here and it has been mentioned by previous speakers that everybody (tribe) is adequately represented in Lagos. So, I assure you. If you vote for the continuity of APC in Lagos, you stand to gain more. It is in your interest that you vote for the APC…”

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