The Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, has been confirmed dead.

His death was announced today by the governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, in a statement issued in the state capital Benin.

“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,” Oshiomhole said.

The announcement came more than a year after News Express confidently reported the Oba’s death. In a story entitled ‘Yes, it’s true; OBA OF BENIN IS DEAD’, published on February 14, 2015, News Express wrote: “The Benin Traditional Council had yesterday dismissed whisperings that the worst might have happened to the paramount ruler of the Edo Nation.

“However, investigations by News Express showed that the revered king has indeed died. “The king has actually gone to sleep,” said a well-placed source who pleaded anonymity. Another said: “Yes, the king is no more, but it cannot be announced until the traditional rites are performed as demanded by Bini custom and tradition. This may take weeks or even months. You cannot announce the king’s death just like that.”

Oba Erediauwa has not been seen in public for about a year and six months.

In announcing his death today, Oshiomhole described the late Oba as “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.”

The governor said: “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 state. It gladdens our heart, therefore, that our revered Oba was alive to witness the positive transformation of Edo state 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 reunion with his ancestors gives us further reassurance 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.”

•Photo shows late Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

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