Last Saturday, the world converged on Benin City to join sons and daughters of the state to celebrate our revered monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11 who clocked two years on the throne of his ancestors. The palace had rolled out the drums to celebrate a monarch that is loved and cherished by his subjects and friends of the kingdom both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.
The occasion which was also used to celebrate his birthday and for a book lunch on Benin History attracted the crème de la crème of the society which included former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon,
Our joy stems from the very fact that Oba Ewuare 11 has achieved so much for his people within such a short time on the throne. It means that with God’s protection and with the continued intercession of our ancestors, Edo people are in for better days ahead with our monarch.

The achievements are legend. During his thank you visit to the President, Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock Villa, Edo people were glad about the open demand by the monarch for more federal presence in Edo land. This has been a serious quest for several years. One point needs to be established: Oba Ewuare 11 is progressive, and development focused. He did not hide it from the very first day he ascended the throne.
The Oba ordered the disbandment of the notorious Community Development Associations (CDAs), a platform which unemployed youths in almost all the communities in the Kingdom used to perpetrate crime and criminality. Their nefarious activities actually did huge disservice to Edo land as investors were terrorized and terrified by the youths with their endless demands for huge sums of money, failing which guns and machetes were freely used to chase potential investors away. Even private home developers were not spared. But Oba Ewuare 11 put paid to all that. He also forged a positive alliance with government and today, belonging to such associations or groups is now a criminal offence punishable under the law in the state. This is now producing good fruits as investors are now safe to invest in the state.

So, when the Oba raised the issue of insecurity with Mr. President, it was still in line with making Edo a business and tourism destination, not only in Nigeria, but Africa as a whole. He told the President that security challenges facing the State was multidimensional and required assistance of the Federal Government.
It was also heartwarming to know that the Omo N’Oba who was in Aso Rock in the company of his palace Chiefs, other traditional rulers from the state, veterans of the diplomatic service and family members informed the President that his people were in dire need of infrastructure development. The Gelegele Sea port is dear to our hearts in Edo State and we need the Federal Government backing to realise the all-important project. One readily recalls that even Oba Erediauwa who joined his ancestors some time ago was also routing for the development of the Gelegele port for so many years. He had mentioned that to almost two presidents during his reign as Oba and this time around Oba Ewuare 11 and the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki are championing the move which by the grace of God and his ancestors would come to fruition in the reign of Oba Ewuare 11.

At that time, the Benin-Ekpoma-Okene road was hellish and unpassable. Oba Ewuare 11 presented it to the President. Almost immediately, the road received some remedial attention, pending its dualization.
Of particular note was his urging the Federal Government to assist Edo state to develop low to medium scale cluster industries or establish factories in each Local Government Areas, LGAs, to reduce unemployment and prompt urban to rural migration in order to decongest the centre for a very holistic development in Edo state. It is obvious that when the issues of security are properly addressed, and the federal government joins the state government to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive from conception to maturity, then there would be massive employment in the land for our teeming unemployed youths, which in itself would help to bring down the crime wave.
It equally gladdens our hearts that the Oba was particularly concerned about the issue of human trafficking which for decades gave Edo bad image. Many Nigerians indulge in the illicit trade, but it was so sad that many of the victims happens to be Edo sons and daughters. For the Oba to add his voice to that of many other Nigerians calling for an end to human trafficking is greatly appreciated.
It is important to emphasise that in taking this step, every victim of human trafficking had come from a community before being a Nigerian and one of the responsibilities of the traditional institution apart from upholding the culture and tradition of the land was to protect and defend the people that they led.

The Edo State Governor had taken a very proactive and pragmatic step to permanently halt human trafficking as he has already sent a Bill to the State House of Assembly to proscribe all human trafficking activities in the state. A human trafficker was recently sentenced to nine years in prison in accordance with the law. Given the enormity of the crime and the interwoven and complex nature it had assumed over the years, a multi-pronged approach which Oba Ewuare 11 and the state government adopted was the best way to go.
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Director General of NAPTIP and all other stakeholders who have made this effort a reality needs not just the commendation of all Edo people and Nigerians at large but the effort deserve the continued support of all concerned to ensure that the impact or results of the curses starts coming by a drastic reduction and total eradication of human trafficking in the state. These are important landmarks within only two years. It is important to join hands with Oba Ewuare 11 with a view to building a stronger Edo Society. Umogun Gha to kpere, Ise!

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Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State.