Gov. Adams Oshiomole Wednesday announced the passing to glory of Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa of Benin, whom he described as a distinguished Edo numero uno and an accomplished Nigerian.
Erediauwa, according to the governor, was a seasoned bureaucrat, quintessential unifier, unique personage and exemplary Omo N’Oba, whose reign brought distinction, immense class, finesse and integrity to traditional institution in Edo state and the country at large.
The late Omo n’Oba n’Edo, before he ascended his ancestral throne, was a thorough-bred bureaucrat who rose to the pinnacle of his career as a federal permanent secretary who understood governance.
Erediauwa also added a tinge of public-spiritedness to carriage as a royal father. “He was the alternative voice to the many voiceless in our society, calling government attention to issues of development and transparent governance, without minding whose ox is gored,” the governor said.
Oshiomole also noted the strong support his government got from the Oba—in his “uncommon faith and readiness to offer uncommon advice to sharpen public discourse in our shared commitment to transform Edo state”.
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While the APC governor said he was happy the Oba witnessed the rapid development the party brought to the state, he added the government was excited the Oba passed on to join his forebears in his ancestral dignity.
“We are, however, encouraged by the fact that another great son of the Great Benin Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, who is already showing manifest quintessential attributes of his great father, will step into his father’s big shoes,” he said.
“Edo people will miss our iconoclastic royal father of the great Benin Kingdom. Nigerians and Nigeria will miss this great exemplar of a Royal Father, an Oba of distinction and integrity.”
The Oba died at 93, after ruling the Binin Kingdom for 36 years.