Ikhueniro Community: Once Divided But Now United Under Ohen-Obaro

By Honours Akhigbe
On July 28, 2018, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benn delivered judgment on the lingering leadership crisis that plaqued Ikhueniro community in Uhunwode local government area of Edo State for several years.
Before the landmark royal judgement, Ikhueniro was illegally partitioned into three villages by land gladiators and speculators who held sway the activities of the villages and plundered their natural resources especially community land.
But the revered Oba Ewuare II, in his God-given wisdom did not only proclaimed Ohen-Obaro, Chief Priest Dayo Osazemwinde Ohenhen as the administrative/traditional head of Ikhueniro, but further clarified that there is only one recognized Ikhueniro village.
The Reliance investigation revealed that prior the Oba’s judgement, residents of the three partitioned Ikhueniro community were alienated, lived and do things exclusively.
But since the royal judgement, the process of reintegration, cooperation and harmonious coexistence among the elders and other residents have begun. A recent visit to the community by The Reliance news crew that people of the community are beginning to see themselves as members of one united and indivisible community.
Interestingly, the people cherished and are now savouring the benefits of communal living, the people unlike before, now visits neighbours, drink and eat together as well as engage in meetings at the central Oguedion (elders shrine) in the community.
The revered Benin Monarch had resolved that “Chief Priest Dayo Osazemwinde Ohenhen is the administrative/traditional head of Ikhueniro Village in Uhunwode Local Government Area of Edo State.”
The palace further clarified that “there is only one recognized Ikhueniro viallge from time immemorial with one Oguedion and one Odionwere.”
Only last weekend members of the community were seen holding crucial age group meetings on how to develop the community. Elders held their meeting inside the elders chamber while the women held theirs at a location adjacent the Oguedion, just as the youths held their outside the Oguedions’s building.
Their faces portrayed that of a happy people as they conducted themselves peacefully and orderly, just as they discussed issues freely without any sign of rancour.
One of the elder, Comrade Omorodion Oregbe Omwanhia who spoke with The Reliance stated that “there is nothing as good as peaceful coexistence. You can see things for yourselves. The people are united and they are very happy.
“The declaration by the Oba of Benin that Ikhueniro is one has gained ground in the community and we are all together as one big community under the Ohen-Obaro who is the representative of our great Oba.
“The various groups including the elders, women and youths have just met separately to discuss issues that bind us all together and ways to develop the community including the celebration of the Ikpoleki festival which has not been celebrated for over 10 years. We cannot but thank the Oba for the unity he has brought to our land”.
Highpoint of the meeting was when the people ate and drank together happily amid singing of praises in favour of the Oba of Benin.

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Kadiri Christopher

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