His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, CFR at the weekend unveiled the reconstructed Palace of Ogieneni of Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Oba Ewuare II historic visit to Uzairue, the 118-year-old ancestral relations in the Benin empire, was reenacted 40 years after his father, Oba Erediauwa of blessed memory, last visited.
Addressing a large number of guests and residents in the locality, Oba Ewuare II, reassured traditional rulers across the state and beyond of his “fatherly support to those that chose to look up to the great Benin throne as their father.”
The monarch said that he was honored with the invitation based on an ancestry link between the Ogieneni and the Benin throne.
“I, as the Oba of Benin want to reassure you all of our support of our fatherly duty towards those that chose to look up to us as their father. I am sure most of you know the ancestral link between the Benin Kingdom and the people of Uzairue.
“The traditional institution is sacrosanct. We should all endeavor to uphold the tenets and values as laid down by our forefathers – ancestors. It plays a vital role in the development of our democratic institution.
“I also appreciate the traditional rulers in Edo State for the peace that exists between us and the people as well.
“Spiritually, we have always been very close to Uzairue,” he added.
While urging the Ogieneni of Uzairue, His Royal Highness, Kadiri Imonikhe, Omogbai IV to look after the welfare of his people, Oba Ewuare II commended the State Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu and other donors towards the Ogieneni palace project.
Oba Ewuare II further implored traditional rulers in the State to always respect constituted authorities in the State and the entire nation at large.
Responding, the Ogieneni said that the 40th Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, 40 years after Oba Erediauwa’s visit, has indeed replicated the history of Uzairue people who migrated from the Benin Kingdom.
The State deputy governor on his part paid tribute to the Oba of Benin and called for wealth redistribution.
He also pledged his support for the reconstruction of over 20 other traditional rulers’ palaces in the Uzairue Kingdom through communal effort.
