By Henry Oduah
Special Correspondent, Lagos
The announcement of the death of the Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Erediauwa I, on Friday, April 29, has made him one of those Nigerians with two lives – reports of their death came more than once. News of his death leaked in August last year, but because of the respect for customs and traditions, it was unreported in the conventional media.
Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, gave a deeply emotional statement on the death of the monarch. It read: “Our hearts are heavy, laden with pains and grief at the announcement of the passing on to glory of Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa of Benin, our highly revered Oba, a distinguished Edo numero uno, an accomplished Nigerian, a seasoned bureaucrat, quintessential unifier, unique personage and exemplary Omo N’Oba, whose reign brought distinction, immense class, finesse and integrity to traditional institution in Edo State and the country at large.
“His carriage comes with an elan that was peculiar to the reverence of royalty. His uncommon courage was symbolic of the can-do spirit of the Edo mind. His unity of purpose was not in doubt, even as he used his revered position to promote constructive engagement among all shades of opinion and culture in Edo.
“As a thoroughbred bureaucrat, rising to the pinnacle of his career as a federal permanent secretary, he understood the dynamics and intricacies of governance. He was the alternative voice to the many voiceless in our society, calling government attention to issues of development and transparent governance, without minding whose ox is gored. He was brave, fearless, punchy and instructive in his verbal and written messages.
“To us at the Edo State Government, he was our strongest supporter; both in his uncommon faith in our ability and his readiness to offer uncommon advice to sharpen public discourse in our shared commitment to transform Edo. It gladdens our heart, therefore, that our revered Oba was alive to witness the positive transformation of Edo under his reign, and for standing with us through thick and thin in the course of making the Edo economy a treasure to behold. Being part of that eloquent history of transformation before his re-union with his ancestors gives us further re-assurance that he will occupy a special pride of place in the hereafter.
“We are enveloped with a deep sense of nostalgia that our great Oba, a great-grandfather, grandfather, father, uncle and iconoclastic royal father of exemplary carriage and conduct, who sustained the dignity of the average Edo mind, has joined his ancestors. We are, however, encouraged by the fact that another great son of the great Benin Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, who is already showing manifest quintessential attributes of his great father, will step into his father’s big shoes.
“Edo people will miss our iconoclastic royal father of the great Benin Kingdom. Nigerians and Nigeria will miss this great exemplar of a Royal Father, an Oba of distinction and integrity. Adieu until we meet to part no more.”
Oba Erediauwa was born in 1923. He was the son of Oba Akenzua II. He is the first to be named Erediauwa on ascension to the throne of his fathers. He was formerly known as Prince Solomon Akenzua.
The 38th traditional ruler of the Edo people in Benin City was a man of service. Before he became king, he served as Finance Commissioner of former Bendel State during the military administration of Major-General George Innih.
He was called up to the throne on March 23, 1979. If he died in 2015, he had served his people for 36 years.
His conflict resolution skills also played up in the resolution of altercations between politicians. Most notable is his intervention in the dispute between former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Tony Anenih, who was the then Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Edo customs and traditions are highly controversial and mysterious, but still respected nationwide; little wonder no local media published the news of his death until its official announcement, even as there was a rumour of it last year.
According to customs, the market will stay closed for seven days after the announcement of his death and movements restricted.
The likeliest of events is that his first son, the Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, would become the next king in the coming days.
The crown prince was born in 1953 and has served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Norway and Angola.
Oba Erediauwa attended Government College, Ibadan, between 1939 and 1945, then Yaba College, before going to King’s College, Cambridge, to study Law and Administration.
In 1957, he joined the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service as a District Officer. He later moved his career forward by joining the Federal Civil Service where he retired as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in 1973.