Coronation of New Oba of Benin Begins

By Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Following the refusal of the Court of Appeal in Benin, Edo State to stop the coronation, Benin Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa and the Edaiken N’ Uselu, will today begin the journey towards his Palace coronation as the 39th Oba of Benin.

Already, the Crown Prince had relocated to Edaiken Palace, Uselu since May 2016, following the transition of the Benin Monarch and his father, Oba Erediauwa in line with the Benin culture and tradition.

The Uselu Palace Chiefs and residents of Uselu Community, youth, women and members of the Benin Royal Palace Chiefs are expected to accompany Prince Eheneden Erediauwa from his Edaiken Palace to Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, amid tight security.

Besides, the traditional shrines, Osama Palace and the Urhokpota where the Coronation Ceremony of the new Oba of Benin would take place have received a face lift.

In a statement by the Chairman, Coronation Planning Committee and the Enogie of Evbuobanosa, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, which was made available to Journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital yesterday, indicates that the Edaiken will embark “on a foot procession” on Saturday and stops at a sacred palm tree called Odin Amamieson-aimiuwa”.

The statement, said the Edaiken would thereafter arrive Iya-akpan where Uselu Chiefs take leave of him and Oredo Chiefs take over before proceeding to Eko-Ohae (Urhokpota ground) where he would stay for three days for private ceremonies.

It said the Edaiken would on Monday next Week leave Eko-Ohae for Usama Palace where he would continue his Coronation rituals before he goes into Use village the following morning for the ceremony of choosing a name and thereafter return to Usama.

Prof. Akenzua in the statement, said the Edaiken was expected to leave Usama for Benin via Isekhere to Urhokpota ground for his Coronation ceremonies next week Tuesday as the new Oba which would be followed with as thanksgiving worship at Holy Aruosa Cathedral, the Benin National church.

According to the statement, commercial activities around Eko-Ohae (Urhokpota ground) would cease as from 12 midnight of Friday 7th October 2016, along with all burial rites in Benin, which have been prohibited indefinitely.