By Wakirike Herald

The preservation of Benin’s cultural heritage and the pursuit of unity took centre stage on Saturday as chiefs, community representatives and cultural performers gathered to celebrate the 10th coronation anniversary of Oba Ewuare II.

The cultural festival and luncheon, held at the Oba Akenzua Scout Centre in Benin City, brought together groups from Edo and other states, reflecting the occasion’s emphasis on cultural identity and shared celebration.

Speaking at the event, the Obadolaye of Benin Kingdom, Chief Osa Uzame, credited the monarch’s reign with strengthening peace and unity in the kingdom and increasing its international recognition.

“On the reign of the Oba, it has been very peaceful. Benin has become more united,” Uzame said.

“Benin has gained recognition all over the world, both in the Diaspora and elsewhere.”

Cultural Heritage and Artefact Recovery

Uzame, who described himself as one of the Oba’s gallant soldiers, praised the traditional ruler’s international engagements and efforts to secure the return of Benin artefacts taken by the British.

He said the monarch had brought his international experience to bear on the recovery of the kingdom’s cultural treasures.

Uzame also commended the Federal Government’s gazetting of arrangements concerning the returned artefacts, which he described as supporting their preservation in the palace from which they were taken.

His remarks placed cultural restitution at the heart of the anniversary celebration, linking the recovery of the objects to the preservation of Benin’s history and identity.

He expressed the hope that the Oba would enjoy many more years on the throne of his forebears.

Youth Skills and Community Development

The Chairman of the Coronation Anniversary Committee and former Edo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen, also commended the monarch’s leadership.

Imasuen described the past decade as a period of peace, prosperity, security and personal growth in Edo. He praised the Oba’s support for free skills acquisition programmes for young people, saying such initiatives could contribute to the kingdom’s development.

He also acknowledged the monarch’s role in efforts to recover Benin artefacts and encouraged guests to celebrate his contributions.

Details of the skills programmes, including the number of beneficiaries and their outcomes, were not provided in the account of the ceremony.

Another special guest, Oriade Efosa, described the monarch’s reign as a period of progress, peace and tranquillity. He said the Oba’s leadership had helped preserve the history and identity of the Benin people.

A Celebration Across Cultures

Chief Obasonye Ihegwai declared the ceremony open and led guests in singing the Edo national anthem.

Performances featured Edo market women, the Edo Cultural Troupe and a delegation from the Ondo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism led by Yomi Owolabi.

A Calabar cultural group led by the wife of former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, and a dance group from Delta State, also entertained guests.

Other participants included the National Association of Nigerian Students and Edo Arise Cultural Heritage, led by Chief Isaac Obasogie.

The Arewa Community in Edo and the Yoruba Community, led by Ado Idowu, added their performances to the festivities.

The gathering celebrated both the Benin monarchy’s cultural custodianship and the diversity of communities participating in the anniversary. Beyond the tributes, the emphasis on heritage recovery and youth skills pointed to responsibilities that extend well beyond the ceremony.

Wakirike Herald
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