…Says Oba Ewuare has brought peace, orderliness, development and progress to Benin Kingdom
BY EMMAN OKUNS
Members of the Benin Royal Family in North America have been urged to look beyond the euphoria of their reunion and the need to help one another, to initiate efforts that will improve the living conditions of Benin people in their homeland.
United States-based Dentist and member of the Benin Royal Family, Dr. Uyi Philip Igbinadolor gave the charge last Saturday at the Benin Royal Family reunion gala night in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Igbinadolor, who spoke as chairman of the occasion, added that the reunion must be used to provide basic public amenities and social infrastructures, institute scholarships and grants for “our indigent but intelligent brothers and sisters at home.”
The reunion, he further stated, must be used to promote peace among the people, contribute to the development of the Kingdom, and give back to “our old schools and alma maters that gave us the education that laid the foundation for what we are today.”
Dr. Igbinadolor took a journey into the history of Great Benin, beginning from the Ogiso dynasty to the present, and paid glowing tribute to the Kingdom, past Obas and present Oba of Benin, Ewuare II.
“Today, we are celebrating the descendants and royal ambassadors of these great kings, amongst whom are the future kings of the Benin Kingdom.”
Igbinadolor, President of U. Philip Igbinadolor, D.M.D. & Associates, P.A., emphasized the enviable place of Benin in global history, saying: “Although this welcome address is not to tell the 2004 years old history of the Benin Kingdom, but I am proud to mention that the Kingdom of Benin has been given prominence in world history because of her industry, agriculture, arts, bravery and rich cultural heritage.”
For instance, he continued, the Benin Kingdom has been singled out as the only African kingdom to have recorded its history for posterity through artistic designs and drawings on terracotta figures, ivory, metal and bronze plaques, which tell a full and varied history of the people, their activities and practices.
“The Benin Kingdom was also recorded as the first sovereign nation to ban the Atlantic slave exports. The industry and military might of the Benin Kingdom was aptly displayed by Oba Ewuare the Great, who reigned from 1440 -1480 and was described as a great warrior and magician,” he noted.
Dr. Igbinadolor commended Oba Ewuare II, the present Benin Monarch, whom he said, has brought tremendous peace, orderliness, development and progress to the Benin Kingdom.
“Together with our son, hardworking and innovative Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, our towns and cities are wearing great looks and our people are ever so industrious, more orderly, and more peaceful with drastic reduction in crime and unemployment level.”
Earlier, Dr. Igbinadolor thanked the organizers of the reunion, presided over by Prince Ademola Iyi-Eweka, Chairman of the Benin Royal Family in North America. The reunion began on Friday August 2, and ended on Sunday August 4, 2019.
It was full of pomp and pageantry, with a lavish display of royalty, exemplified by the Benin tradition, cultural display, rendition of Benin songs; dance and a dinner buffet. Friends and relatives of family members from all walks of life attended the event.
Below is full text of Dr. Igbinadolor’s speech:
Protocol
Your Excellencies, Royal Majesties and Highnesses, Diplomatic officers here present, Special guests of Honour, Princes, Princesses, sons and daughters of the Great Benin Kingdom here present, distinguished guests, members of the Press, ladies and gentlemen.
First and foremost, I wish to thank the organisers of this great event for appointing me as Chairman of this ceremony. I hereby pay obeisance to His Royal Majesty, the father of the Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, Oba of Benin and salute the descendants of our royal dynasty for whom this reunion is organised.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have the honour and privilege to proudly and profoundly welcome you all to this special occasion of the reunion of the descendants of the royal family of the great Benin Kingdom.
This auspicious and remarkable ceremony can only be better appreciated if we know that the Great Benin Kingdom is a 2004 (two thousand and four) years old Monarchy (BC 40 – AD 2019), which has produced 36 Ogisos and 40 Great and Mighty Obas.
Today, we are celebrating the descendants and royal ambassadors of these great kings, amongst whom are the future kings of the Benin Kingdom.
According to a message from His Royal Majesty, the transited Oba of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I, to the Annual Benin Royal Family Reunion in 2003, “We are descendants of a great people.
Let us continue and make our ancestors proud. Live with integrity. Speak the truth. Honour our country.” These are the hallmarks of Benin kings, princes and princesses and the expected characteristics of all sons and daughters of the Benin Kingdom, wherever they find themselves in the world.
For the sake our guests, the Benin sons and daughters born and bred in the Diaspora and those of us who are not students of history, the Benin Kingdom was established in 40BC and was given the name Igodomigodo by Igodo, the first Ogiso (King) to rule the empire.
From the semi mythical Kings, the Ogisos (the king of the sky), who ruled the Benin Kingdom with spiritual candour and bravery for 1000 years under 36 Ogisos, to the reign of Oba Eweka I (1200AD – 1235AD) who was the first King of Benin to use the title of Oba, which is still in use till date, the Kingdom has singled itself out as one of the greatest, remarkable and prominent Kingdoms in Africa in all areas of human endeavours.
Although this welcome address is not to tell the 2004 years old history of the Benin Kingdom, but I am proud to mention that the Kingdom of Benin has been given prominence in world history because of her industry, agriculture, arts, bravery and rich cultural heritage.
For instance, the Benin Kingdom has been singled out as the only African kingdom to have recorded its history for posterity through artistic designs and drawings on terracotta figures, ivory, metal and bronze plaques, which tell a full and varied history of the people, their activities and practices.
The Benin Kingdom was also recorded as the first sovereign nation to ban the Atlantic slave exports. The industry and military might of the Benin Kingdom was aptly displayed by Oba Ewuare the Great, who reigned from 1440 -1480 and was described as a great warrior and magician.
Oba Ewuare I established a hereditary succession to the throne of the Benin Kingdom and vastly expanded the territory of the Benin kingdom, which by the mid-16th century extended from the Niger River delta in the east to what is now Lagos in the west.
Oba Ewuare I rebuilt the capital of the Benin Kingdom (present-day Benin City), endowing it with great walls and moats, which were said to be four times the length and size of the great China wall.
The Kingdom was and is still famous for its ivory, wood, and bronze carvers, and carried out active trade in several agricultural products including palm oil, timber and pepper. Today, we have another Ewuare on the throne – Oba Ewuare II.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is in my character to visit Benin City at least once a year. Few months ago, I was in the City of Benin and in the palace of our Royal Majesty.
I am glad to report to you that our Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, just like his forefather and forbearer of the title, Ewuare the Great, has brought tremendous peace, orderliness, development and progress to the Benin Kingdom.
Together with our son, hardworking and innovative Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, our towns and cities are wearing great looks and our people are ever so industrious, more orderly, and more peaceful with drastic reduction in crime and unemployment level. OBA GHA TOR KPERE! Isee.
Before I end this address, I wish to remind us that apart from the socialization, picnic and the need to reach out to our fellow princes, princesses, brothers and sisters from the Kingdom who are everywhere in the Diaspora, with a view to helping one another in any area of felt need, this reunion must also be used to initiate efforts to improve the living conditions of Benin people, provide basic public amenities and social infrastructures, institute scholarships and grants for our indigent but intelligent brothers and sisters at home, promote peace among the people, contribute to the development of the Kingdom, and give back to our old schools and alma maters that gave us the education that laid the foundation for what we are today.
According to John Dewey, “Education is not a preparation for life, education is life itself.”
If we do these, posterity will reward us for our selflessness, foresightedness and contributions to the growth and development of our great Kingdom.
It is on this note that I wish all of us a great and exciting reunion.
Thank you for listening.
OBA GHA TOR KPERE! Isee.
U. Phillip Igbinadolor, DMD FAGD
