Arts & Culture

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, has pledged to sustain the intellectual and cultural legacy of his late father, Oba Erediauwa, whose contributions to traditional leadership and national development earned him recognition as one of Nigeria’s most influential monarchs. The monarch made the pledge on Monday at the pre-inaugural lecture of the Oba Erediauwa Memorial Lecture …

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the passing of veteran Nollywood actor and film executive Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, who passed away at age 84 on Wednesday. After his training at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Olu Jacobs built a career in British television and international film before returning home to Nigeria, where he …

Veteran Nigerian actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84. His wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, and their son announced his death on social media on Wednesday morning. The family said the celebrated actor, whom they described as the “Lion of Lufodo”, died on 16 September. “It is with gratitude to God …

All along, the government particularly failed to carry out a physical survey on its remnants, and to undertake its eco-valuation. Government’s laxity had encouraged the grabbing of its land by the park’s adjoining local communities, as well as ceding it as booty, to top politicians of the two major political parties that have ruled the state in succession. Also, the …

The long-running controversy over the ownership and management of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) took a dramatic turn on Thursday as the Adams Oshiomhole-led committee recommended that the facility be handed back to the Oba of Benin and renamed the Benin Royal Museum of African Art. The special committee, chaired by former Edo State Governor and Senator Adams …

Despite agitations NPDC has refused to enforce Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study, and a Corporate Social Responsible (CSR) obligation to the center. NPDC had established its palatial headquarters on designated BENZOPA’s land. Edo State government had ignored such loud public calls to bring NPDC, and other violators to justice. As if flying the kite by some well-placed land-grabbing politicians, a …

His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, has formally received 18 looted Benin artefacts repatriated from Switzerland after about 125 years, declaring that the priceless cultural objects are symbols of governance, spirituality and the identity of the Edo people, not mere curiosities. Receiving the delegation led by the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments …

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, on Wednesday invoked ancestral powers against kidnappers, armed robbers, murderers and other violent criminals, placing traditional curses on those responsible for insecurity in Edo State and across Nigeria. The spiritual exercise, which drew traditional priests, priestesses and traditional physicians (Ewaise) from across the Benin Kingdom, followed the monarch’s …

His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, on Tuesday directed traditional worshippers, native doctors, priests and priestesses across Edo South Senatorial District to embark on spiritual warfare against banditry and other violent crimes ravaging parts of Nigeria. The revered Monarch gave the directive during a meeting with traditionalists drawn from the seven …

Edo State Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has announced a total prohibition on the use, installation, and conferment of the titles Ezeigbo, Ezendigbo, Igwe, and other similar monarchical designations within the state. The group, a foremost socio-cultural organization representing the interests, welfare, and unity of the Igbo people, described the practice as illegal and contrary to both traditional customs and …