As the Benin Monarch, Oba Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa re-unite with his ancestors, the prime minister of the kingdom, Chief Igbe directed all markets to close till further notice to pay respect to the monarch.
A statement by the Iyase of the Kingdom, Sam Igbe, relayed in local Benin language, said the formal announcement of the demise of the monarch followed the breaking of the White Chalk at the Urho-Ozolua shrine in the presence of palace high chiefs and others, a symbolic ritual to signify the demise.
However, when The New Diplomat visited some markets in the ancient Benin Kingdom, some markets were not opened for business activities as usual.
At Ring Road, some shops were opened while some are shut.
Meanwhile, some of the traders were seen hanging out to ensure that they still attend to customers but The New Diplomat observed that at a point, the traders were chased out in front of the shops.
Some traders who sell perishable goods like tomatoes said, “since the shops will be closed until further notice, it means we are doomed because our goods will be spoilt, we have lost the capital and the profits.”
The New Diplomat also observed some hairdressers making the hair of their customers in front of the locked shops while they are conscious of those who come around to chase them away.
Oba Erediauwa was aged 92. He was 56 when he succeeded his father, Oba Akenzua 11, on March 23, 1979 as the 38th Oba of Benin.
