By Osaigbovo Iguobaro
If history is a tapestry, Benin City just pulled out its finest velvet, dusted off Centuries of royal pomp, and threw a street cultural carnival that could move even the static statues on the popular King square in Benin City, Edo State.
Marking ten years on the historic throne of his ancestors, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, led a cultural celebration that seamlessly merged the ancient past with an unyielding present on Saturday October 10th 2026 as part of activities marking his 10th Coronation anniversary celebration on the throne of his forebears.
Threads of ancient tradition, rich art, and regal beauty intertwined to cast a brilliant spotlight over the City Centre, offering a breathtaking glimpse into a living history that connects the royal origins of the Benin kingdom directly to its modern celebration.
As the beats of the royal drums faded into the warm Benin evening and the roar of the super bike riders’ engines echoed a modern salute to a timeless crown. It became abundantly clear: this was more than a decennial anniversary. It was a living testament to a legacy that refuses to age despite challenges.
What was billed as a disciplined match pass quickly evolved into an irresistible wave of melody, and movement, effortlessly overriding any standard traffic expectations.
Leading the pack was Oba Ewuare II himself —a monarch who effortlessly balances the solemnity of a spiritual realm with the unmistakable presence of a headliner.
Escorted by a sea of royal loyalists through King’s Square, the procession provided an unfiltered masterclass in Nigerian grandeur.
The atmosphere was set by a formidable array of traditional guilds and socio-cultural groups. Front and center were the Isienmwenro warriors — the royal palace guard whose fierce reputation precedes them, though on this day, their fierce pride was matched by an infectious celebratory mood radiating, unique spotlight that echoes the past to the present.
Other socio-cultural groups like the Otedo, the Okaighele youth leaders, and the Aiguobasinmwin Movement, brought a colorful spectrum of Edo heritage into sharp, living focus.
Not to be outdone by tradition, the soundscape was a masterclass in cross-cultural harmony.
The parade drifted through classic Benin Samba rhythms, seamlessly blending into performance sets by the Kareta dance band, visiting troupes from the Ondo State Ministry of Arts and Culture, and the explosive energy of Cross River’s Calabar carnival contingent.
From the masked intrigue of the Igolo N’ Ivin masquerades to the spirited displays of resident Igbo (Ohanaeze N’ digbo) and Yoruba communities, the City Centre was effectively —and delightfully —brought to a standstill.
Welcoming guests to the spectacle, former Edo State Governor and Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Mr Lucky Imasuen, paid warm tribute to the monarch, describing him as the enduring anchor of the Benin kingdom, while highlighting his decade of milestone.
He commended the overwhelming turnout in honour of the 40th Oba of Benin — a historic breakthroughs made all the funfair by the royal presence of the Oba Ewuare Queens and his infant quadruplets, who effortlessly captured the hearts of the crowd despite being surrounded by Centuries of majestic tradition.
For ten magnificent years, Oba Ewuare II has steered the ancient ship of the Benin Kingdom with wisdom, grace, and an unshakeable bond to his people—proving that while centuries may change the world around it, the heartbeat of the throne remains as eternal and majestic as ever.
