By Imelda Osayande
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, concluded his mother’s funeral rites on Sunday, six weeks after the ceremony began with a thanksgiving service at the Holy Aruosa Cathedral Church, also known as the Edo National Church, Benin City.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that Iyoba Omo N’Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare, passed away 49 years ago, but her funeral rites were delayed until Oba Ewuare II was crowned as the Oba of Benin, in accordance with Benin customs and traditions.
The funeral rites began on February 15.
Oba Ewuare was accompanied by members of the Benin Royal family, including his brother, Prince Aghatise Erediauwa, and his eldest daughter, Princess Ikuoyemwen A. Ewuare, to the church, where they offered prayers and made offerings at the altar.
The Presiding Priest at the Cathedral, Ohen-osa Edebiri Igbinoghodua, offered prayers to God and ancestors for Oba Ewuare’s family and the Benin Kingdom, thanking the ancestors for the peaceful and successful completion of Iyoba Ewuare’s funeral rites.
Dignitaries at the ceremony includes the state’s Deputy Governor, Mr Dennis Idahosa, National Assembly members from Edo South Senatorial District, the Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, and some members of the State Executive Council, paid tributes to the Oba.
Other dignitaries who paid their respects included the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Pro Edoba Omoregie (SAN); former Deputy Governor of the state, Lucky Imasuen; and the immediate past President of the World Medical Association, Dr Osahon Ebabulele.
In his sermon, Igbinoghodua praised the Oba’s achievements, saying that in spite of challenges, he had recorded several milestones worth celebrating.
He also warned those seeking to undermine peace in the Benin Kingdom or to challenge the Oba’s authority to repent, lest they incur God’s wrath.
The Holy Aruosa Cathedral choir rendered soul-lifting worship songs, and worshippers showcased their dancing skills to the admiration of the Oba, who was in high spirits.
NAN recalls that on Nov. 21, 2021, Oba Ewuare II had conferred the chieftaincy title of Iyoba N’ Uselu posthumously on his beloved mother, Iyoba Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare, and unveiled her statue at the 5-junction in Benin City.
(NAN)
