…Pledges to uphold father’s legacy
BENIN CITY — The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the legacy of his late father, Oba Erediauwa, describing him as a visionary monarch whose wisdom, intellectual depth and contributions to cultural revival continue to influence the Benin Kingdom and African civilisation.
The monarch gave the assurance on Monday at the first pre-inaugural lecture of the Oba Erediauwa Memorial Lecture Series, held at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Auditorium, Benin City, as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary of his coronation.
Represented by a delegation of palace chiefs led by Chief Enorense Ozigbo-Esere, the Eghaevbonore of Benin, Oba Ewuare II said his father belonged to the first generation of African traditional rulers whose influence and intellectual contributions transcended Nigeria’s borders.
Delivering the monarch’s address, Prof. (Chief) Victor Igbineweka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Benin and Osasinmwinoba N’Iweguae of Benin, said the reigning monarch remained committed to preserving the values and ideals of his father.
“We pledge our commitment once again to walk in his footsteps of progress and meaningful impact,” the monarch said.
Oba Ewuare II described his father as a cerebral and versatile traditional ruler who understood the importance of balancing cultural heritage with the demands of modern society.
He also recalled Oba Erediauwa’s diplomatic service and intellectual contributions, noting that the values instilled in his children continued to inspire their engagement with contemporary African history and civilisation.
“As a former ambassador to many countries, these values cherished and instilled in us by our father of blessed memory remind us constantly of our heritage and, within our respective spheres, of the need to remain committed as shakers and movers of modern African history and civilisation,” he said.
The lecture, themed “Oba Erediauwa’s Voice in Discourse: Defining His Intellectual Legacy,” examined the late monarch’s contributions to scholarship, governance, traditional institutions and the development of Benin society.
In a significant development ahead of the formal inauguration of the memorial lecture series, Oba Ewuare II announced the dissolution of the committee established nine years ago to organise the initiative.
The monarch attributed the decision to what he described as lethargy in the discharge of the committee’s royal assignments. The dissolved committee was chaired by Prof. Sam Guobadia, with Prince Aghatise Erediauwa also playing a leading role.
He subsequently appointed Prof. Osarhiemen Benson Osadolor, a professor of history at the University of Benin and keynote speaker at the event, as the new chairman of the Oba Erediauwa Memorial Lecture Series Committee.
The inaugural edition of the lecture series is scheduled for March 23, 2027, coinciding with the anniversary of Oba Erediauwa’s coronation in 1979.
The initiative is expected to provide a platform for sustained scholarly engagement with the late monarch’s ideas, public service and enduring contributions to traditional governance and intellectual discourse.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, SAN, described Oba Erediauwa as an erudite scholar, a moral compass and a monarch whose intellectual depth and personal integrity enhanced the prestige of the Benin monarchy.
Omoregie also commended Oba Ewuare II for his leadership and support for the university’s development initiatives, particularly in endowment funding, research, the arts, technology and environmental conservation.
He stressed the importance of the monarch’s continued engagement with the institution, describing such support as valuable to the advancement of scholarship and the preservation of cultural heritage.
In his keynote presentation, Prof. Osadolor described Oba Erediauwa as a monarch of outstanding reputation whose intellectual influence extended beyond the traditional institution.
He recalled that the late monarch’s books and articles had contributed to public discourse and influenced government policies even before his ascension to the Benin throne.
Among the publications he cited were I Remain, Sir, Your Obedient Servant and The Cradle of Ideas, which he identified as important works for understanding the late monarch’s intellectual orientation and commitment to public service.
Osadolor emphasised the need to document, interrogate and preserve Oba Erediauwa’s ideas for the benefit of future generations of scholars, traditional rulers and policymakers.
Chairman of the 10th coronation anniversary committee and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasuen, commended the management of the University of Benin for its support towards the successful organisation of the event.
The lecture attracted members of the Benin Royal Family, academics, traditional titleholders and other dignitaries, including Princes Aghatise Erediauwa, Osama Erediauwa and Ehioze Erediauwa.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of the University of Benin Governing Council, Prof. Shuaibu Umoru, and a former Secretary to the Edo State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
