Dipo Olowookere
By Ebitonye Akpodigha
Thursday, October 20, 2016, has been declared by the Edo State Government as public holiday to mark the coronation of the new Oba of Benin, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa.
The state government made this known on Tuesday in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Julius Ihonvbere.
It was explained that the holiday was to ensure a hitch-free coronation and give Edo people the opportunity to partake in the historic installation of the new Oba of Benin.
Mr Erediauwa is to be crowned the 39th Oba of Benin on Thursday after undergoing series of traditional rites that have lasted for days.
On Tuesday, he chose his coronation name after defeating Edigin N’Use in the traditional Akhue game (marble seeds).
However, Mr Erediauwa will officially announce his name during his coronation on Thursday at Urho-Okpota in Benin and drop his present one.
The Akhue game is one of the cultural and traditional requirements that must be fulfilled by the crown prince before he could be installed as the Oba of Benin.
The former monarch also played the Akhue game before choosing the name ‘Erediauwa’, which loosely means ‘I have come to strengthen and prosper my people.’
The tradition dates back to 1200 AD during the period of Oba Eweka.
