| THE ancient Kingdom of Benin made history again on Thursday as the Crown Prince (Ambassador), Eheneden Erediauwa, was crowned the 39th Oba of Benin Kingdom after fulfilling all traditional requirements and rites.
The atmosphere was charged and the King glowed with spirits of the gods as he ascended the throne of his forefathers. |
Dressed in red, the new Oba covered his mouth with a white handkerchief as he was being crowned. Fireworks also set the skies aglow all through.
The New Diplomat gathered that Prince Erediauwa was crowned at about 2am on Thursday by the Usama N’ Ihiron, also known as the Edion and led by Chief Oliha.
Other chiefs who conducted the coronation which was done at a private ceremony inside the Usama Palace of the Edion are Edohen, Ezomo, Ero, Eholo N’Ire, Oloton and the Edaiken.
The history of Obaship in the kingdom dated back to 1200 AD when Eweka 1was crowned the Oba of Benin.
Born in 1953 to the family of the late Oba Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, the new monarch is a former Nigerian Ambassador to Norway, and to Angola. He was recalled to the Benin Kingdom to assume his role as the first son and heir-apparent to the throne of the kingdom.
The Oil and Gas magnate has a B.A. in Economics and Sociology from the University of Wales and is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.
This explains why the King has been very active in leading positions within the Nigerian business community, especially the Oil and Gas industries since 1987.
Oba Eheneden, is married to three wives: Princess Iroghama ( Obazuaye N’erie), Princess Iyayiota ( Obazuwa N’erie) and Princess Ikpakpa (ohe N’erie).
