By Obike Ukoh
Formerly known as Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, ascended the throne of his forebears on October 20, 2016, and became known as Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, he was aware of the responsibilities and mandate of the office.
As a Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, which is known to have one of the best monarchical institution in the world, as ascension to the throne is seamless; he was aware of the challenges of the office.
The Oba in his acceptance speech after his installation at Urhokpota, said his reign would promote cultural reawakening and harmonious relationship across the Benin Kingdom.
As the custodian of Benin culture and tradition, he stressed that “some of the eroding ideas and cultural heritage that have made us proud will be reawakened and sustained.’’
Ewuare maintained that the Bini language, should be incorporated into school curriculum to enable children grab it from the onset.
“Our culture and tradition remain the one main factor that the international community respect us.
“I insist that we speak the language in our homes because it is imperative to maintain our culture as it is and remains the only unifying factor in Benin.
“I also want to appeal to relevant government agencies to include Edo language in school curriculum as it remains the only link among the people”, he emphasized.
The coronation of the monarch coincided with his birthday, as he was born on October 20.
The Oba has backed his cultural reawakening programme with action.
In 2017 he launched the Oba Ewuare II Foundation, to reward students that excelled in Edo language and history, awarding scholarships to dozens of young learners.
In 2022, he praised a team of linguists that developed a way to solve advanced mathematics in Edo language, pointing out that the project lets people “count in the language to infinity.”
Over the years, Oba Ewuare II has remained consistent in pressing for the return of Benin’s stolen artefacts.
Unarguably, the stolen bronzes are among Africa’s finest and most significant heritage objects.
At public ceremonies, he speaks of these artworks as living symbols. In 2021 he thanked the University of Aberdeen for returning a bronze head, observing that the work was “imbued with the spirit of the people from whom it was taken,” and described the return as a “noble act.”
Ewuare hailed the 2025 repatriation of 119 bronzes from the Netherlands as a “divine intervention,” adding that the success was a “testament to the power of prayer and determination.”
Stakeholders opine that these priceless cultural artefacts, looted during the 1897 British punitive expedition, symbolize both a historical wound and a story of resilience.
The Oba’s strategic engagement with foreign museums, Universities, and government bodies helped in boosting the return of the artefacts, said to be the largest coordinated repatriation in modern history.
It did not come on a platter of gold as the Oba’s advocacy took him to the Countries in possession of these artefacts.
Many of the artefacts are now temporarily housed at the palace, pending the completion of the new Royal Benin Museum.
The Oba exhibited diplomatic skill in resolving issues concerning the custody of the returned artefacts.
The custodianship of the repatriated artefacts sparked robust discussions, requiring delicate negotiation between the palace, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and the Federal Government.
It was resolved that the NCMM will be responsible for keeping priceless Benin Bronzes with the assent of the Oba of Benin.
Before the decision was taken, it was generally agreed that the historic kingdom of Benin rightfully owned all returned Benin bronzes and was responsible for managing all places where the artifacts are kept.
Olugbile Holloway, Director General of NCMM said that for now, the Oba did not have the infrastructure to care for the bronzes.
“So, the Oba has given the NCMM the blessing to display and conserve these objects. So, there is no more ambiguity,” Holloway said.
“The return of these objects is not just about displaying them in the museum or taking care of them. It is about the dignity of our people and undoing the injustice of 1897,” Holloway stressed.
The Oba has also lived up to expectation in ensuring harmonious relationship among communities of Benin Kingdom.
His personal interventions in community disputes, viz: Uhunmwonde, Oredo, and most notably Okuoromi, helped restore calm and prevented further bloodshed.
Many of these mediations draw on traditional conflict-resolution practices, combining spiritual rituals with dialogue, that have yielded lasting peace and trust.
Also the Oba, resolved the leadership crisis that plagued Iguoshodin N’ Igbemaba Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The hostility, which dates back to seven years, is about the headship of the community.
In a statement by the Oba’s Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the monarch appointed Pa. Johnson Ahanor as the Odionwere of Iguoshodin N’ Igbemaba and ordered Friday Eghenayariore Agho to stop parading himself as the Odionwere (village head) of the community forthwith.
Ewuare gave the verdict after reviewing the submissions of parties at a meeting with elders of the community at the Oba’s Palace.
The Oba restated that it is a taboo in Benin for young people to preside over the affairs of villages or communities while elders are there.
Ewuare explained that age remained a major criterion to determine who becomes an Odionwere not according to hierarchical order at the elders’ Council chamber, otherwise known as Ogua Edion, in villages and Communities across Benin Kingdom.
He added: “I can tell you that age is a major factor in determining who becomes the Odionwere and a young man cannot claim to be the village head while there are elders in the community.”
The Oba charged elders across the various villages and communities in the Benin Kingdom to align with the principles of common and shared responsibility.
At a thanksgiving to roundup the Oba’s ninth anniversary coronation, held at Holy Aruosa Cathedral, Benin, Presiding Priest, Ohen-Osa Igbinoghodua Edebiri, warned against perversion of justice by leaders.
Two notable Benin Chiefs, Osaro Idah (Obazelu of Benin) and Osaigbovo Osamwonyi (Akenuwa of Benin) stood in for the Oba.
In a homily, Edebiri urged community leaders, and other Benin traditional stewards to lead by example, particularly in area of conflict resolution in order to promote harmonious coexistence.
The presiding priest, charged parents to support the fight against illicit drug use and trafficking, warning that “parents who feeble in correcting their children may have the long arm of the law to contend with.”
On his own part, President Bola Tinubu commended the Oba’s commitment to promoting peace, unity, and social harmony within his domain and his support in combating societal challenges, such as human trafficking and illegal migration.
Tinubu also praised the Oba for consistent advocacy for a cultural renaissance, the preservation of traditional values, and his efforts to repatriate African artefacts from Western countries.
The President stressed that the Oba’s nine years on the throne is really impactful, and urged him to continue with the pursuit of preserving Benin’s cultural heritage and passing it on to the upcoming generations.
As well wishers pray for the Oba’s more glorious and eventful years in office, they urge him not to relent in order to deepen achievements already made.
