The Benin Kingdom was agog last week with funfair as the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II marked his one year on the throne of his forebears. The revered Oba, who is 40, ascended the throne on October 22, 2016.
It was a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin kingdom laced with the splendour of other cultures of other people across the country that graced the occasion.

The Oba adopted the name Ewuare, as the previous Oba was regarded as the greatest in the monarchical history of the kingdom. His leadership style in 14th Century was said to have brought sanity and discipline to the kingdom.
He was said to have created most of the Benin communities and brought about the culture, customs, norms and traditions which made the kingdom famous.
As such, in his one year on the throne, many observers believe that Oba Ewuare II has lived up to the name of the earlier Ewuare.
The two-week long event started with a musical performance on October 3 at the palace ground, with Ambassador Osayomore Joseph, the Ulele Power Sound exponent daily taking the lead of other performers.
This was followed by the proclamation of the Benin Customary Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee by the Oba as a result of difficulties the people go through in getting justice.
As part of the anniversary activities, the Oba launched a foundation with different components, such as the farm produce discount project, a scholarship scheme and Benin Royal Academy for Performing Arts, among others.
This was followed by a novelty match on October 14, between the Enigies and palace chiefs, in which the Oba displayed great skills taking the kick- off. The second match was between Bendel Insurance and the All Stars.
There was also an inter-religious service where prayers were said for the Oba, members of the royal family, palace chiefs and other functionaries, governors and the president.
Various cultural groups also displayed at the anniversary. It featured the Inneh Theatre Group, Ebohon Cultural Group, Edo State Arts Council, Benin Royal Dynasty Trust Theatre Group and South Point Royal Academy, among others.
Also, the Calabar Carnival float added colour and glamour with their specially designed costumes and deft choreography during the street parade.
The event was spiced up with the special durbar display provided by the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad III, the Etsu Nupe, AlhajiYahaya Abubakar and the Emir of Kano, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II in honour of the Oba.
Oba Ewuare II is seen by the Binis as a king who has come to right the wrong of the past, especially miscarried of justice in matters brought before palace chiefs.
According to Desmond Agbama, the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba, in the past, complaints brought before the palace were usually heard at “Ogue-Ematon” in the Oba Palace.
The Benin custom and pradition places restriction on women and forbid them from entering the “Ogue-Ematon”, meaning women with cases to be heard are represented and fact are either distorted or misrepresented to the Oba.
He said “immediately he ascended the throne, he initiated the ‘open mediation’ at Ugha-Ozolua to provide opportunity for women who cannot make their representation to personally do so and eliminate the attendant distortion of facts when being represented by a third party.”
In line with that, it was gathered that over 100 cases have been successfully resolved by the Oba, while many others are at various stages of being resolved with fairness and justice.
Also, as part of efforts to instil sanity and discipline in the kingdom, some Enegie, Ohen and Odionwere who run foul against the customs, norms and tradition were suspended.
Speaking during the event, Oba Ewuare II said the palace would introduce traditional reforms aimed at ensuring that conferment of chieftaincy titles be in accordance with native laws, tradition and customs of the land.
He added that he had already commenced reorientation and in-house cleansing of some palace chiefs to ensure that total justice and sanity return to the kingdom.
He said the proclamation of the alternative dispute resolution committee headed by a retired Supreme Court Justice Samson Uwaifo, was to ensure justice. “If anybody is not satisfied with the decision of the committee, a window does exist for such person to see me to mediate,” he said.
Speaking on the durbar celebration, Oba Ewuare II said he had always been in love with horse riding due to his experience when he accompanied his father to the northern part of the country.
“I fell in love with horses because each time I visited the North with my father, the Emir gave me a horse as a gift, and getting back to Benin, I pleaded with my father to let me ride the horse.
“It took me six months or more to persuade my father to ride because he was worried that I might be thrown off, but I quickly allayed his fears when I rode the horse,” he said.
According to him, the relationship between Benin Kingdom and the North must continue to wax stronger, adding that the durbar was to cement the existing relationship.
The Seriki Nupe of Benin, Alhaji Idris Sani, said the northern traditional rulers were in support of Oba Ewuare’s plan of entrenching peace and sanity in all parts of the state and the nation at large.
According to him, the durbar display in Benin was a clear manifestation of the love of the North for the Binis, adding that northern traditional rulers would continue to cooperate with the Benin monarch in achieving maximum peace in the country.
He added that the durbar was aimed at uniting the North and the South, as well as inform the world that there was unity in Nigeria.
The Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki said the relationship between the state government and the Benin monarch, in the last one year, had brought sanity to the state.
He noted that the collaboration had helped his administration in addressing the monarch’s concerns, which resulted in the state government’s new law outlawing the activities of community development associations, as well as the development of the Gelegele seaport.