…says he’s proud to host the Oba in his country home.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has described the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku AkpolokpoIo, Ewuare 11, nee Ogidigan as a royal father of world-class dignity and respect, even as he expressed delight at hosting His Royal Majesty in his Jattu-Uzairue country home last weekend.
The Deputy Governor made the remarks Sunday when he spoke with journalists in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government, shortly before departing for Benin.
” It is uncommon for the Oba of Benin to visit any individual. It was a thing of joy playing host to his Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, who visited my house in Jattu, Uzairue Kingdom before proceeding to commission the Ogieneni of Uzairue palace and after which he came back to my house, before departing for Benin.
“Indeed, I’m so elated for the royal blessings from the Benin Monarch”.
“You could see yesterday (saturday) was a carnival-like occasion. The excitement, joy, and happiness on the faces of the Uzairue people were palpable, for having the Oba of Benin come to commission the palace of Ogieneni of the Uzairue Kingdom. The euphoria, the memory will remain evergreen”.
“The idea of reconstructing the old palace, called ‘Ugwa’ which had been there for over 118 years to a befitting one for the Ogieneni and Uzairue Kingdom was muted by great sons and daughters of Uzairue, too numerous to mention here.”.
“It was unhealthy for us to see our royal palace in an old shape in a modern world; receiving visitors in the old place became an embarrassment to us”.
During the 2020 Edo Governorship Campaign in Uzairue, we had to make use of the Ogieneni lodge to receive visitors instead of the palace. I had to take the step by committing the project into God’s hand and today, it’s a reality “.
“The old palace is still preserved for historical purposes, while the new one is erected beside it”.
“Beyond the building of Ogieneni Palace, another major step taken by us was to unite the entire Uzairue Kingdom by building prototypes of the Ogieneni palace in each of the 22 communities that make up the Uzairue Kingdom. These palaces are not going to be owned by any individual chiefs but by the entire community. That means any successor can have equal access to it unlike before”.
Shaibu, however, admonished royal fathers to stop political interference, focus on their throne and how to better the lives of the people in their care”.
“The government is one and we have incorporated them into governance. As traditional rulers, they have their roles to play in security matters and other developmental agenda”.
“To the glory of God, the palace has come to reality and I was in the church today to equally thank God for prayers answered”.
“When it is time for politics, we play politics; we face governance when it’s time for it and when it is time for God, I worship my God with all my heart”, the Deputy Governor added.