UGBORIRI-NAGBON
EKPEN N’OWA
EBOR NOR YERENWUE
UMOGUN GHATORKPERE ISEE
EGBE-EWUARE-ARA-GIE-OBASE.
On this auspicious occasion, we celebrate the 71st birthday of our revered monarch, Oba Ewuare II. Eight years have passed since he ascended the throne, and his leadership has brought strength, wisdom, and vision to the Benin Kingdom. As we honor him today, we remain grateful for his tireless efforts to uplift our people and restore the glory of our land.
May his reign continue to bring peace, prosperity, and greatness to the Benin Kingdom. Long live Oba Ewuare II, the custodian of our rich history and culture!
THE LEGACY OF OBA EWUARE I AND THE REIGN OF EWUARE II: A REFLECTION ON BENIN’S HISTORY
In the rich history of the Benin Kingdom, one name stands out as a symbol of resilience, strength, and greatness—Oba Ewuare I, the greatest monarch to ever rule Benin. His reign was marked by trials and tribulations, many of which began long before he ascended the throne of his forefathers.
Ewuare I, born Prince Ogun, faced his first significant challenge from his own younger brother, Uwaifiokun. This rivalry forced Prince Ogun to flee Ubini (Benin) after Uwaifiokun declared him wanted, determined to prevent him from taking his rightful place as Oba. In his exile, Prince Ogun wandered into the unknown, hiding from the loyalists and armies of his brother. It was during this period of hardship that he acquired the wisdom and mystical powers that would later define his reign.
Armed with newfound knowledge and strength, Prince Ogun returned to Ubini to reclaim his birthright. Despite fierce resistance from Uwaifiokun and his forces, Prince Ogun’s mystical powers and strategic brilliance led him to victory, and he ascended the throne as Oba Ewuare I. His reign was marked by a series of successful military campaigns and territorial conquests, earning him the title “Ogidigan” (the Great), a testament to the immense achievements during his rule.
Fast forward to 2016, when history seemed to repeat itself. Our current Oba, Ewuare II, ascended the throne, invoking the legacy of Ewuare I. For those familiar with Benin’s history, this choice of name came as both a surprise and a reassurance. It signaled the return of a leader at a time when the kingdom faced new challenges, both from within and outside its borders.
Since his coronation, Oba Ewuare II has worked tirelessly to restore the pride and dignity of the Benin people. One of his first actions was to combat the human trafficking that had tarnished the kingdom’s image. His firm stance against this evil practice brought about significant resistance, and attacks on his name and reputation soon followed. However, many of these critics are not true Edos, but infiltrators—individuals who, despite speaking the Edo language and bearing Edo names, do not embody the noble values of the true Edo people.
History records that after the British punitive expedition against Benin, outsiders were allowed to settle in the kingdom, diluting its core values. Some of these infiltrators, including impostors claiming to be Ogiamien, have tried to challenge the authority of the Oba. The true Ogiamien, however, has a defined role in the coronation of any new Oba and remains a palace chief, paying homage to the reigning monarch. Yet, some false Ogiamien figures have aligned with human traffickers to drag the Oba’s name into public controversy.
Amid these challenges, greatness continues to unfold for the Benin Kingdom. Recently, the German government agreed to return significant quantities of the Benin artefacts that were stolen during the colonial invasion. While past Obas, such as Oba Akenzua and Oba Erediawa, received small numbers of returned artefacts, the volume of artefacts expected to return under Oba Ewuare II is unprecedented.
These developments are a sign that greatness is once again upon us, though greatness often comes with challenges. The madness we see from these so-called infiltrators is but a distraction. We, the true Benin people, will not respond with violence or engage in uncivilized conduct. Instead, we will continue to honor and support our Oba, trusting in his leadership as he carries on the legacy of Ewuare I. Sent by the Enikaro (the ancestors), Oba Ewuare II is here to complete the journey of making our people great again.
As we celebrate the 71st birthday of our king and mark eight years of his visionary leadership, let us remain unapologetically loyal to the throne of our ancestors.
Umogun Ghatorkpere Ise