The mysteries of Benin, by Douglas Ogbankwa Esq.

There is no family in Benin, located in Edo State of Nigeria, that does not have a family member abroad, either nuclear family or extended family. Benin City has one of the largest diaspora remittances in Africa. So, the Benin Airport has one of the top 5 busiest domestic terminals in Nigeria. Inside Benin lies a lot of wealth. Oben, a rustic town off Sapele Road, Benin City has one of the largest deposits of gas in Africa. The biggest exploration activities of the NNPC Limited – Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is processed at the NNPC E & P Limited with Headquarters at Oko Ogba Road, in Benin.But the Company marginalises the Benin People that hosts them , so much so that their community relations manager is from the North, a situation that can never happen in any of the Niger Delta States.This is a story for another day
.
The football culture in Benin is very prevalent. At a time, out of 11 Players of the Junior National Teams, about 5 or 6 could be Benins. Then, Nigeria was winning until tribalism set in.We remember the Beijing 85 Winning Baby Eagles that later became Golden Eaglets and the Saudi ‘, 89 Flying Eagles led by the likes of Chris Ohenhen and others .Do not talk of the Super Eagles of that time .From Stephen Keshi to Thompson Oliha to Sunday Eboigbe, Augustina Eguavoen , Wilfred Agbonavbare, etc , the Benin Spirit was lifting Nigeria world wide .

The mystery of the night:

I leave that to your imagination. Benin is actually more fun at night, but be careful.The Night and Day are different

One of the mysteries of this world is Benin City, one of the two cities in the world that has a wall across its frontiers, the other being the Great Wall of China. In an organised setting, the city is known for its network of roads and also the network of its indigenes that live all around the world.Benin City first had street lights before European Capitals , because they are the ones that invented street lights with bush lamps along the road and at junctions before the end of the 20th century.

Advertisement

But what the Benins hold so dear to their heart is their monarchy. The Supremacy of the Oba of Benin among his Benin people is affirmed in many Benin aphorisms.Aiguobasimwin – You do not hold ground with the Oba, you submit
Obayantor Ke’ vban ya se evboebo – The Oba owns all the land, even those in the diaspora.Aiguobarhegian.

The current Oba of Benin is His Royal Majesty,Omo N’ Oba N’Edo , Uku Akpokpolo , Oba Ewuare 11, the Great, the Oba of Benin , who is full of majesty and whose charisma is expressed mostly in his mien and disposition, is a true symbol of the Benin Royalty and Mystery.His Royal Majesty is a king of few words, but there is plenty of action.In keeping with the avowed Mystery and Majesty of the Royal Stool ,His Royal Majesty has given the Throne ,Grace and panache.Any one fighting the Palace is fighting the Benin Nation .

A great Reformer and Changer of the status quo, the Oba of Benin was responsible for the change in the control of the land tenure system Benin , which had been hijacked by some forces, until the ascension to the throne of His Royal Majesty. This led to the scrapping of the Community Development Associations that was a clog in the wheel of progress of Land Tenure System in the Benin speaking areas of Edo State.

His Royal Majesty has also engaged in cultural diplomacy, which has led to the return of many Benin Artefacts to the revyerred Palace of the Oba of Benin and is about to birth the much anticipated Benin Royal Museum.This will be a watershed in cultural diplomacy

His Royal Majesty also looks out for his own in the complex nature of Nigeria’s diversity. To this end, Oba has paid visits to the former President of Nigeria – President Mohammadu Buhari and recently to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to advance the cause of his subjects within the Nigerian Matrix.

The Grandeur of his Royal Majesty is in his Royal Court, which is well organized and fully gazetted The Iyase of Benin is the Prime Minister and today he is Chief Sam Igbe, a congenial and benevolent character,who will turn 95 in a few days . But we have different palace societies within the Benin Traditional Council – the Usama, the Iwebo, etc.

The Palace has a magnificent view from the inside as it is a beauty to behold. But inside, there are some esoteric dimensions that are unfathomable, even to the most wise.

Benin, however, is bigger than the city. So, they say Edokpolor – which depicts the fact that Benin is big. It is also made of the things you see and the things you do not see. When you get to Benin, Benin is still far. I thought I knew much about Benin until I saw a new dimension recently. I was non plussed, but it was indeed an eye opener.

The splendour of the Oba also resonates in the palace activities, which are multifaceted. It has a unique festival called the Igue Festival, done every December. The festival is an agglomeration of many activities. Young Benin maidens and boys are seen dancing to houses and offering prayers for the next year, with the Ewere leaf, which has its origin in an event that changed the cause of Benin centuries ago.

Benin is indeed an interesting place as the people are one of the most accommodating people in the world, but do not push them, you will be shocked.

It is a place to enjoy, have profound pleasure and leisure, if you are a man or woman of splendour. It is place deep in all things, but a blessed land that favours all irrespective of tribe or creed.

I have adopted a Benin Name -Osadebamwen. An expression of the love and warmth I have felt in Benin. Welcome to Benin, the land of the Bronze, of the mystic of Igun and the mystery of Ogun and Olokun .Nekpen, Nekpen. Aisiriuwa, Ekinamaedo Agbonaa.

● Douglas Ogbankwa, lawyer ,activist, and founder of Benin Writers’ writes via @douglasogbankwa@gmail.com