CALABAR – Less than 48 hours after the request of HRM Oba Ewuare II, the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade has approved the immediate establishment of Oba Ovonramwen memorial site in Calabar, saying that the transisted Oba was loved by the people of the state during his shortly stinct in Calabar.
The Governor gave the approval while playing host to Oba Ewuare II who was in the state
on a “Thank You Tour” yesterday.
Addressing Governor Ayade and other top goverment functionaries of Cross River State, the Benin Monarch said he was in Calabar on a Thank You Tour, to share experience with the Obong of Calabar as well as to honour the memory of Oba Ovonramwen.
He commended governor Ayade for his strides in the state, especially in the area of hospitality, enabling environment which the people including Edo residents in Cross River are currently enjoying.
While soliciting the support of the Cross River State Government towards establishment of Oba Ovonramwen memorial site in Calabar, the quintessential Benin Oba, however, requested Calabar Carnival to be part of his annual coronation anniversary.
Responding, Governor Ben Ayade who expressed joy over the coming of Oba Ewuare II to Calabar and maintained that the monarch is a pride to Nigeria, said “your Royal Majesty’s for the establishment of memorial site for Oba Ovonramwen is hereby approved”.
Governor Ayade immediately directed his Commissioner for Tourism and Culture to take over the project.
He noted that the great Benin Monarch, over the years has continued to bring sanity into the fabrics of the country and black race in general.
He thanked Oba Ewuare II for his spiritual connectivity with his ancestors which brought rain and good weather to Calabar, which until the coming of the Monarch had experienced hazy weather and drought.
The governor assured that Calabar would continue to be part of the Oba’s coronation anniversary.
Ayade who eulogies Oba Ewuare II and applauded him for sustaining the rich cultural, art and traditional heritage of Benin Kingdom, averred that Oba Ovonramwen while in Calabar lived an examplinary life.
However, there was traditional poetic recitations in honour of the Oba, just as governor Ayade presented gifts to the monarch.
It was scooped that prior to the coming of Oba Ewuare II to Calabar, the City had in the past three months experienced drought, as not aircraft could touched down at the Magret Ekpo International Airport due to hazy weather but these where over following the arrival of the Oba to the City.
