As BTC Directs Benin Residents Not To Cook With Fire
By Moses Idahosa
Sunday May 29, 2016, would no doubt be a day not to be forgotten in a hurry by the residents of Benin Kingdom, Edo State and beyond as the Crème de la crème of the society stormed the great Benin Royal Palace not only to catch a glimpse of the rich traditional heritage but also to celebrate and identified with the Crown Prince and Edaiken N’Uselu during the Izakhue (burial rites) at the ongoing Royal funeral rite of the transited Oba Erediauwa, CFR.
The eventful Izakhue which was held under serene atmosphere was a carnival-like ceremony that attracted top political bigwigs, captains of industries, religious leaders and other top notch of the society.
Activities of the day, kicked off at Oba palace, King Square by the Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as security agencies cordoned off strategic positions in Benin City especially roads leading to traditional grounds, where traditional rites were performed.
A political bigwig and top notch of the Peoples Democratic Party who is one of the governorship aspirants of the PDP, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu said: “we are in a big ceremony that is very colourful as you can see the love of loyalty that the Benins have for the Royal stool. We have come not to mourn but to celebrate the transition of a great Oba and the emergence of a new one.
“So, what you are experiencing here today is a festival, show of love in solidarity with the Benin Kingdom. And my joy is that it cuts across tribes, religion as everybody has come out to appreciate the Omo N’Oba N’Edo.
“I think it is very good for our state and our people that there is something that brings us together and this is something that makes us united. It is not about political party, tribe nor family, it is love for our past, present and future.
“So, we congratulate the Edaiken N’Uselu and members of the Royal family as we have come to identify and pledge our loyalty to the Benin Kingdom,” Pastor Ize-Iyamu stated.
The governorship aspirant on the platform of APC in the state, Gen. Charles Arhiavbere said; “that the people are happy that the Edaiken N’Uselu is a man who has travelled far and wide as his reign would be eventful and glorious”.
Meanwhile, high point of the Izakhue was the procession of the Crown Prince who was accompanied by other palace chiefs from the Oba palace to the Aro-Emotan (Emotan status) where traditional rites were performed.
Dignitaries at the event includes; Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Honourable Minister of Health, (State), the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Edo State COMPOL, Chris Ezike, Capt. Hosa Okunbo, Chief Osamede Adun, the Iyobahan of Benin Kingdom, amongst others.
Meanwhile, the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has instructed residents of Benin City not to cook with fire today Sunday June 5, as part of activities for the on-going 15 days royal funeral rites of the departed Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa.
This was contained in a statement issued on behalf of the BTC by its Secretary, Mr. Frank Irabor and made available to newsmen in Benin City.
The statement said that Sunday would be the day of Edenagberen-Mwiwu in the royal funeral rites programmes and as such, there would be no cooking with fire in accordance with Benin custom and traditions.
It called on Benin indigenes and non-indigenes in the Kingdom to observer the rite
About Author
