Oba of Benin; Example of What African Kings Should Be

Ike Ikechukwu Mbachu   

& Anthony Elikene:

 In my next life; apart from my present tribe, if I was asked to choose a tribe, I will gladly choose the Edo tribe. I will chose to be an Edo man, not because this is where I was born and spent nearly all my years in Nigeria, acquired all my education; primary, secondary, and University. I will not choose it because the Edo’s are the most "De-tribalised" people in Nigeria. 

People ask me why it’s so difficult to pigeon hole myself into a particular tribe, I simply say because of the town and the way I was raised up. I was raised in a street in Benin City, where tribes played essentially no role. In the street I grow in, people cared less about where one came from. We were all one. I digress. Sorry.

Okay, I will like to be a Benin man because of the respect they accord their tradition. The core traditional Benin man does not joke with his tradition and culture. Especially, they don't joke with their traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I. 

The next thing to God in Benin City is the Oba, “literally”. And boy! does the Oba respect himself? For me, I will say he is the best traditional ruler I have ever seen in the world. Unlike the pretenders that call themselves traditional rulers from other place but will hurriedly rush to an elected officers call or invitation by a European king or queen with inferior cultural background. This inferiority complex was implanted by the Europeans who came to conquer a peaceful land called Africa for no just cause aside from being greedy. They lied that when they came they met Africans fighting each other but I challenge anyone to bring the weapons used by Africans to fight in those days and you will be surprised to fight riffles and other sophisticated weapons that Africans didn't manufacture, who gave it to them?  
The Oba of Benin is not inferior to anyone but he respects his heritage, he administers his throne with candour, with panache and He knows what is expected of him. This is why you will never hear him speak flippantly. His speeches are always measured and full of wisdom. 

Not for the Oba to engage in childish display of wealth, puerile politicking is not for the Oba to talk from both sides of the mouth. Not for the Oba to be gallivanting around the globe with lasses young enough to be his daughters in the name of celebrating his birthday. 

The Oba doesn't treat his throne like a relic which in reality most traditional stools in Nigeria are. He knows he is the custodian of a great heritage called the Benin kingdom, He knows the culture, dignity and respect of millions of Binis rest on his shoulders.

YOU WILL NEVER SEE THE OBA POSE IN FRONT OF ANOTHER PALACE; TALK LESS OF ONE IN ENGLAND! Like they say in Benin slang, "Ororo no dey fail, Oba no dey go transfer". Meaning; the Oba is as constant as the northern star in his Palace. He seldom leaves his palace. People come to him, he doesn’t go to people. He is a king.

I am saying all these because of the Western Czar who has decided to belittle his throne and his cultural heritage by strutting around the streets of London, displaying his female trophies, wearing skin-clutching trousers and posing in front of the palace of a queen who should normally be his equal. This is an aberration! An insult to Africa and should never be encouraged!